A Degenerate Birdcage with Integrated Tx/Rx Switches and Butler Matrix for the Human Limbs at 7 T
- Autores: Stara R.1,2,3, Tiberi G.4, Morsani F.2, Symms M.5, Fantacci M.E.1, Marletta M.6, Zampa V.6, Pendse M.3, Retico A.2, Rutt B.K.3, Tosetti M.4,7
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Afiliações:
- Physics Department, University of Pisa
- Pisa Division, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University
- IMAGO7 Foundation
- GE Applied Science Laboratory
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana (AOUP)
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation
- Edição: Volume 48, Nº 3 (2017)
- Páginas: 307-326
- Seção: Original Paper
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0937-9347/article/view/247661
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00723-017-0864-2
- ID: 247661
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Resumo
The theoretically known degeneracy condition of the band-pass birdcage coil has rarely been exploited in transmit coil designs. We have created an eight-channel degenerate birdcage for the human limbs at 7 T, with dedicated Tx/Rx switches and a Butler matrix. The coil can be split into two half cylinders, as required for its application to patients with limited mobility. The design of the coil, the Butler matrix, and Tx/Rx switches relied on a combination of analytical, circuital, and numerical simulations. The birdcage theory was extended to the degenerate case. The theoretical and practical aspects of the design and construction of the coil are presented. The performance of the coil was demonstrated by simulations, workbench, and scanner measurements. The fully assembled prototype presents good performance in terms of efficiency, B1 homogeneity, and signal-to-noise ratio, despite the asymmetry introduced by the splittable design. The first in vivo images of the knee are also shown. A novel RF coil design consisting of an eight-channel splittable degenerate birdcage has been developed, and it is now available for 7 T MRI applications of the human lower limbs, including high-resolution imaging of the knee cartilages and of the patellar trabecular structure.
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Sobre autores
Riccardo Stara
Physics Department, University of Pisa; Pisa Division, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN); Department of Radiology, Stanford University
Autor responsável pela correspondência
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9493-5645
Itália, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, Pisa, 56127; Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, Pisa, 56127; 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305
Gianluigi Tiberi
IMAGO7 Foundation
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Viale Del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, 56018
Fabio Morsani
Pisa Division, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, Pisa, 56127
Mark Symms
GE Applied Science Laboratory
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, 56018
Maria Fantacci
Physics Department, University of Pisa
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, Pisa, 56127
Massimo Marletta
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana (AOUP)
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, 56124
Virna Zampa
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana (AOUP)
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, 56124
Mihir Pendse
Department of Radiology, Stanford University
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Estados Unidos da América, 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305
Alessandra Retico
Pisa Division, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, Pisa, 56127
Brian Rutt
Department of Radiology, Stanford University
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Estados Unidos da América, 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, CA, 94305
Michela Tosetti
IMAGO7 Foundation; IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation
Email: rstara@stanford.edu
Itália, Viale Del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, 56018; Viale del Tirreno, 331, Calambrone, Pisa, 56018
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