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

 描述(申请人提供)：磁共振(MR)成像和光谱学被用来非侵入性地获取人类的结构、功能和生化信息，并进一步利用这种能力用于诊断目的。磁共振系统的研究趋势已向超强磁场(B0)和多通道射频(RF)线圈方向发展。然而，在射频线圈及其接口电路中存在尚未解决的技术问题：可变对象负载引起的负载效应，以及射频线圈元件的数量不断增加。加载效果需要困难和耗时的手动调频和阻抗匹配。实现并行磁共振成像的多通道系统需要线圈元件和接口电路的小型化，以防止射频干扰，并能够安装在磁共振扫描仪的孔中。为了克服这些挑战，这项名为“用于磁共振成像和光谱学的自动RF信号调谐和匹配系统”的申请提出了一种电力驱动的自动化系统，用于快速准确地调谐和匹配RF线圈。自动化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7T氢质子(1H)成像多通道射频收发线圈中应用该自动系统的可行性。在指导阶段(K99)，候选人将获得磁共振成像的非硬件知识，如磁共振物理、射频脉冲、磁共振序列和磁共振频谱，以开发专门的射频脉冲和磁共振序列，利用射频线圈中嵌入的电路。凭借一套硬件和非硬件知识，候选人将在指导期间开发出自动调频和阻抗匹配的多核(1H和31P)射频线圈。随后，将在R00期间完成带有定制设计的MR兼容微芯片的自动化系统的小型化。这种微芯片除了具有自动功能(频率调谐和阻抗匹配)外，还将具有无线控制能力。专门的RF脉冲和序列将辅助微芯片的操作。这种微芯片解决方案将有显著的好处：应用自动功能 在磁孔内外和磁共振实验之前或期间，防止超高场短波造成的射频干扰，缩小支持大量线圈元件的自动化系统的尺寸，以及消除射频/电气互连电线电缆。此外，这项技术有可能将额外的功能和系统集成到与MR兼容的定制设计的微芯片中。这一跨学科项目的成功完成将使候选人能够成为下一代磁共振技术领域的独立研究员。

 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.