Optimization of a quadrature birdcage coil for functional imaging of squirrel monkey brain at 9.4T

Ming Lu; Zhangyan Yang; Feng Wang; Gary Drake; Li Min Chen; John C Gore; Xinqiang Yan

doi:10.1016/j.mri.2021.03.012

Optimization of a quadrature birdcage coil for functional imaging of squirrel monkey brain at 9.4T

Magn Reson Imaging. 2021 Jun:79:45-51. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2021.03.012. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Authors

Ming Lu¹, Zhangyan Yang², Feng Wang³, Gary Drake³, Li Min Chen³, John C Gore⁴, Xinqiang Yan⁵

Affiliations

¹ Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; College of Nuclear Equipment and Nuclear Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China.
² Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
³ Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
⁴ Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
⁵ Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. Electronic address: xinqiang.yan@vumc.org.

Abstract

A quadrature transmit/receive birdcage coil was optimized for squirrel monkey functional imaging at the high field of 9.4 T. The coil length was chosen to gain maximum coil efficiency/signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and meanwhile provide enough homogenous RF field in the whole brain area. Based on the numerical simulation results, a 16-rung high-pass birdcage coil with the optimal length of 9 cm was constructed and evaluated on phantom and in vivo experiments. Compared to a general-purpose non-optimized coil, it exhibits approximately 25% in vivo SNR improvement. In addition to the volume coil, details about how to design and construct the associated animal preparation system were provided.

Keywords: 9.4 T; Birdcage coil; Electromagnetic simulation; High field; Non-human primate; RF coil.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain* / diagnostic imaging
Equipment Design
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Phantoms, Imaging
Saimiri

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding