Flexible metasurface for improving brain imaging at 7T

Vladislav Koloskov*, Wyger M. Brink, Andrew G. Webb, Alena Shchelokova

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
63 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: Ultra-high field MRI offers unprecedented detail for noninvasive visualization of the human brain. However, brain imaging is challenging at 7T due to the B (Formula presented.) field inhomogeneity, which results in signal intensity drops in temporal lobes and a bright region in the brain center. This study aims to evaluate using a metasurface to improve brain imaging at 7T and simplify the investigative workflow. Methods: Two flexible metasurfaces comprising a periodic structure of copper strips and parallel-plate capacitive elements printed on an ultra-thin substrate were optimized for brain imaging and implemented via PCB. We considered two setups: (1) two metasurfaces located near the temporal lobes and (2) one metasurface placed near the occipital lobe. The effect of metasurface placement on the transmit efficiency and specific absorption rate was evaluated via electromagnetic simulation studies with voxelized models. In addition, their impact on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and diagnostic image quality was assessed in vivo for two male and one female volunteers. Results: Placement of metasurfaces near the regions of interest led to an increase in homogeneity of the transmit field by 5% and 10.5% in the right temporal lobe and occipital lobe for a male subject, respectively. SAR efficiency values changed insignificantly, dropping by less than 8% for all investigated setups. In vivo studies also confirmed the numerically predicted improvement in field distribution and receive sensitivity in the desired ROI. Conclusion: Optimized metasurfaces enable homogenizing transmit field distribution in the brain at 7T. The proposed lightweight and flexible structure can potentially provide MR examination with higher diagnostic value images.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)869-880
Number of pages12
JournalMagnetic resonance in medicine
Volume92
Issue number2
Early online date12 Mar 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • 2024 OA procedure
  • B inhomogeneity
  • brain imaging
  • metasurface
  • passive shimming
  • 7T MRI

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Flexible metasurface for improving brain imaging at 7T'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this