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Computational Analysis of a Radiofrequency Knee Coil for Low-Field MRI Using FDTD

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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Low-field (<0.5T) imaging is a cost-effective alternative to more expensive high-field strength imaging due to the inexpensive setting, greater patient comfort and better safety profile. On the other hand, if compared with high-field body scanners, the low-field scanners produce poor-quality images with lower signal-to-noise ratio. Especially in low-field MR, receiver coil performance plays a significant role in image quality. Coil performance is generally evaluated using classical electromagnetic theory, but when the coil is loaded with a sample, an analytical solution is extremely difficult to derive, so that a trial-and-error approach is often followed. Numerical methods have been proposed in literature as good alternatives to predict MRI coil performance. In this study the performance of a knee coil for low-field (0.5 T) MR scanners is analyzed using workbench tests and numerical simulation with a software program based on the finite difference time domain method. Parameter performances measured using the classical workbench test are compared with those obtained using numerical simulations. Finally, the knee coil performance is validated with images acquired in a commercial low-field MR system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Moruzzi 1, San Cataldo, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Valentina Hartwig, Maria Filomena Santarelli & Giulio Giovannetti

  2. Paramed srl, Genoa, Italy

    Stefano Tassano

  3. Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Valentina Hartwig, Alessio Mattii, Nicola Vanello & Luigi Landini

  4. Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy

    Vincenzo Positano & Luigi Landini

Authors
  1. Valentina Hartwig
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  2. Stefano Tassano
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  3. Alessio Mattii
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  4. Nicola Vanello
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  5. Vincenzo Positano
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  6. Maria Filomena Santarelli
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  7. Luigi Landini
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  8. Giulio Giovannetti
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Correspondence to Valentina Hartwig.

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Hartwig, V., Tassano, S., Mattii, A. et al. Computational Analysis of a Radiofrequency Knee Coil for Low-Field MRI Using FDTD. Appl Magn Reson 44, 389–400 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00723-012-0388-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00723-012-0388-8

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