Automatic RF Signal Tuning and Matching System for MR Imaging and Spectroscopy

用于 MR 成像和光谱学的自动射频信号调谐和匹配系统

• 批准号: 9033206
• 负责人: Sung-Min Sohn
• 金额: $ 8.58万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2016-02-01 至 2018-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9033206
• 关键词: Area; Automation; Behavior; Biochemical; Cell Nucleus; Clinical Research; Custom; Data; Detection; Development; Diagnosis; Diagnostic; Disease; Electronics; Elements; Environment; Frequencies; Goals; Head; Health; Human; Human body; Hydrogen; Image; Investigation; Knowledge; Magnetic Resonance; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Manuals; Mentors; Methodology; Methods; Miniaturization; Outcome; Phase; Physics; Physiologic pulse; Protons; Research; Research Personnel; Signal Transduction; Support System; System; Systems Integration; Technology; Time; Training Activity; Variant; Wireless Technology; Work; clinical application; design; electric impedance; imaging system; improved; innovation; magnetic field; microchip; miniaturize; next generation; novel; operation; prevent; public health relevance; radiofrequency; research study; spectroscopic imaging; transmission process; trend

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy are used to non-invasively acquire structural, functional, and biochemical information in humans, and further utilizing this capability for diagnostic purpose. The research trends in MR systems have moved towards ultrahigh magnetic field (B0) strengths and multichannel radiofrequency (RF) coils. There, however, are unsolved technical problems in RF coils and its interface circuits: loading effect due to variable subject loads, and an increasing number of RF coil elements. The loading effect requires the difficult and time-consuming manual frequency tuning and impedance matching. Multichannel systems, which enable parallel MR imaging, require miniaturization of coil elements and interface circuits to prevent RF interference and be able to fit into the bore of MR scanners. To overcome these challenges, this application entitled "Automatic RF signal tuning and matching system for MR imaging and spectroscopy" proposes an electrically driven automation system to tune and match RF coils rapidly and accurately. The automatic system will be implemented on a custom designed MR- compatible microchip. We have recently presented the feasibility of applying the automatic system in a multichannel RF transceiver coil for hydrogen proton (1H) imaging at 7T. During mentored phase (K99), the candidate will gain non-hardware knowledge in MRI, such as MR physics, RF pulse, MR sequence, and MR spectroscopy, to develop specialized RF pulses and MR sequences that take advantage of the electrical circuits embedded in an RF coil. With a set of hardware and non-hardware knowledge, the candidate will develop an automatically frequency tuned and impedance matched multi-nucleus (1H and 31P) RF coil during the mentored period. Subsequently, a miniaturization of the automatic system with a custom- designed MR-compatible microchip will be accomplished during the R00 period. This microchip will have wireless control capability in addition to the automated functions (frequency tune and impedance match). The specialized RF pulse and sequence will assist the operation of the microchip. This microchip solution will have significant benefits: applying the automatic functions in or out of magnet bore and before or during MR experiments, preventing RF interferences due to short wavelength at ultrahigh field, reducing the size of the automated system for supporting a large number of coil elements, and eliminating RF/electrical interconnection wires and cables. Furthermore, this technology has the potential to integrate additional functions and systems into a MR-compatible custom-designed microchip. The successful completion of this interdisciplinary project will enable the candidate to become an independent investigator in the area of next- generation MR technology.

 描述（由申请人提供）：磁共振（MR）成像和光谱学用于非侵入性地获取人体的结构、功能和生化信息，并进一步利用这种能力进行诊断。 MR 系统的研究趋势已转向超高磁场 (B0) 强度和多通道射频 (RF) 线圈。然而，射频线圈及其接口电路还存在未解决的技术问题：由于可变的主体负载而导致的负载效应以及射频线圈元件数量的增加。负载效应需要困难且耗时的手动频率调谐和阻抗匹配。支持并行 MR 成像的多通道系统需要小型化线圈元件和接口电路，以防止 RF 干扰并能够安装到 MR 扫描仪的孔中。 为了克服这些挑战，这项题为“用于磁共振成像和光谱学的自动射频信号调谐和匹配系统”的申请提出了一种电动自动化系统，可以快速准确地调谐和匹配射频线圈。该自动系统将在定制设计的 MR 兼容微芯片上实现。我们最近提出了在多通道射频收发器线圈中应用自动系统进行 7T 氢质子 (1H) 成像的可行性。在指导阶段 (K99)，考生将获得 MRI 的非硬件知识，例如 MR 物理学、RF 脉冲、MR 序列和 MR 光谱，以开发利用 RF 线圈中嵌入的电路的专用 RF 脉冲和 MR 序列。凭借一套硬件和非硬件知识，候选人将在指导期间开发自动频率调谐和阻抗匹配的多核（1H 和 31P）射频线圈。随后，将在 R00 期间完成带有定制设计的 MR 兼容微芯片的自动系统的小型化。除了自动化功能（频率调谐和阻抗匹配）之外，该微芯片还将具有无线控制功能。专门的射频脉冲和序列将有助于微芯片的操作。该微芯片解决方案将具有显着的优势：应用自动功能 磁体孔内或磁体外以及 MR 实验之前或期间，防止超高场下短波长造成的射频干扰，减小支持大量线圈元件的自动化系统的尺寸，并消除射频/电气互连电线和电缆。此外，该技术有可能将附加功能和系统集成到兼容 MR 的定制设计微芯片中。这一跨学科项目的成功完成将使候选人成为下一代 MR 技术领域的独立研究者。