Novel, low cost RF coils for MR imaging and spectroscopy

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The objective of this project is to prove that a novel method to design and manufacture“volume RF coils” for MR imaging scanners can achieve the envisaged specific clinical andfinancial benefits.RF coils are used to detect the signal in MRI scanners. They are designed to be placed veryclose to the patient as the closer they are to the target tissue, the better the image quality andthe better the resulting diagnosis. Volume RF coils refer to those that surround the targettissue such as the head.The invention that is key to this project involves the combination of state-of-the-art medicallyapproved foams, 3D printed plastic parts and moulded plastic parts to produce a rigid volumecoil in which the primary outer surface material is made of light weight foam.There are several clinical benefits for the user and the patient. In particular the coil will belighter weight and more acceptable and comfortable for the patient. The use of foam makes itpossible to fit the coil closer to the target tissue giving the potential for better clinical images.Equally important are the economic benefits of this new approach. This method will reducethe time and cost of both development and production. This gives the potential for lowerprices devices thus reducing the cost of the MR procedures. A particular benefit is that thisdesign allows greater use of automated manufacturing processes. This, in turn means thatmanufacturing in the UK is financially justified as opposed to the Far East.It is PulseTeq’s intention, once this design process is successfully demonstrated within thisproject, to use this process to develop several RF coils optimised for different parts of thebody such as the head and knee. These devices have very significant sales potential and,through these, the aim is to expand the business in the UK to become a significant supplierand exporter of RF coils to the clinical MRI market.