Design and Simulation of a Helmholtz Coil for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Experiments with a 3T MR Clinical Scanner


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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are non-invasive techniques for tissue characterization. MRI/MRS in small phantoms with a clinical magnetic resonance scanner requires the design and development of dedicated radiofrequency coils. This paper describes the simulation, design, and application of a 1H transmit/receive Helmholtz coil, suitable for MRI/MRS studies in small phantoms with a clinical 3T scanner. Coil inductance and resistance were analytically calculated by taking into account the conductors cross geometry while magnetic field and sample-induced resistance were calculated with magnetostatic approaches. Finally, the coil sensitivity was measured with the perturbing sphere method. Successively, a coil prototype was built and tested on the workbench and by acquisition of MRI and MRS data. Results show that such coil could provide a low cost and easy to build device for MRI/MRS experiments with a clinical scanner in small specimens.

About the authors

Giulio Giovannetti

Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research; U.O.C. Bioengineering and Clinical Technology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR/Regione Toscana

Author for correspondence.
Email: giovannetti@ifc.cnr.it
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4317-4161
Italy, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 S. Cataldo, Pisa; Pisa

Francesca Frijia

U.O.C. Bioengineering and Clinical Technology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR/Regione Toscana

Email: giovannetti@ifc.cnr.it
Italy, Pisa

Alessandra Flori

U.O.C. Bioengineering and Clinical Technology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR/Regione Toscana

Email: giovannetti@ifc.cnr.it
Italy, Pisa

Domenico Montanaro

U.O.C. Specialistic MRI and Neuroradiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR/Regione Toscana G. Monasterio

Email: giovannetti@ifc.cnr.it
Italy, Pisa/Massa

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