Method and apparatus for improving 2D acceleration in MRI using a new coil array design
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsStephen J. Riederer, Clifton R. Haider, Phillip J. Rossman
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Abstract
The present invention is a coil array for an MRI system that is designed to improve 2D accelerated imaging of an object having significantly different fields of view in two phase-encoding directions. This is achieved by having a first set of coil elements whose sizes are tuned to optimize acceleration along a first phase-encoding direction and a second set of coil elements whose sizes are tuned to optimize acceleration along a second-phase encoding direction. Images acquired in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved signal to noise ratio at a given acceleration factor when compared to images acquired using a traditional MR coil array.
Claims13
A multi-element coil array for use in acquiring three-dimensional images of an asymmetric field-of-view in an object, with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the combination comprising:
- a first set of coil elements disposed on opposite sides of the region of interest along a first axis passing through the field-of-view, each coil element in the first set having a size determined by the depth of the field-of-view along the first axis such that MR signals acquired with said first coil elements are optimal for parallel imaging reconstruction;
- a second set of coil elements disposed on opposite sides of the field-of-view along a second axis passing through the field-of-view, each coil element in the second set having a second size determined by the depth of the field-of-view along the second axis such that MR signals acquired with said second coil elements are optimal for parallel imaging reconstruction;
- and
- a supporting structure for connecting the first and second sets of coil elements together.
A coil array for performing parallel imaging with a magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) system, the combination comprising:
- a plurality of coil modules connected together to form a coil array that encircles an object to be images, each coil module including:
- a substrate formed of an insulating material;
- a coil element mounted on the substrate and forming a conductive loop;
- fasteners mounted to the substrate and positioned to mate with corresponding fasteners on adjacent coil modules in the coil array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.