Computational evaluation for improving the |B₁⁺ field in deep brain and cerebellum using a combination of a birdcage coil and a dipole antenna array

ABSTRACT

The use of strong magnetic fields for brain imaging has shown that increased SNR and resolution can be obtained. Such MRI systems are prone to field non-uniformities that are more likely to appear in deep brain structures making high-quality imaging of deep brain regions a challenge. We investigate the combination of a dipole antenna and Birdcage coil to generate a uniform magnetic field with high intensity in the deep brain. Magnetic fields |B₁|, were computed from a human brain model and statistical analysis was done specifically on the tissues of interest. The geometry of the Birdcage coil and eight Dipole antenna array was selected after performing simulations by varying its dimensions, and evaluating  the |B₁| field intensity and uniformity on the deep brain area. The proposed combination of birdcage coil and dipole array shows to have an improvement on the field intensity and uniformity on the deep brain and cerebellum area in comparison to only using the birdcage coil.

KEYWORDS:

• MRI field
• birdcage coil
• dipole antenna

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

ORCID

Daniel Hernandez http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0993-1373

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a [grant number HO16C0004] from the Osong Innovation Center funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, the Republic of Korea, and supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) [No. NRF-2019R1G1A1100803].

Notes on contributors

Daniel Hernandez

Daniel Hernandez, obtained his bachelor degree in electronic engineering degree at the Universidad de San Carlos of Guatemala. He went to South Korea to study in a master and P.h.D program in Biomedical Engineering based on MRI systems, in Kyung Hee university; currently working as assistant professor in Gachon University.

Kyoung-Nam Kim

Kyoung Nam Kim, has been a professor in Gachon University and has developed multiple MRI coils.