QUADRATURE, RF COIL ARRAYS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL MRI

描述（由申请人提供）：在阶段I中，用于测量的RF线圈阵列 在1.5T下进行高分辨率膝关节成像。幻影测试和志愿者 评估表明，信噪比比业界提高了24%-28% 标准 第二阶段将涉及基于“新设计”优化RF线圈阵列， 其次是广泛的幻影和志愿者评估，以实现高 成人膝关节、足关节和腕关节的信噪比。 一个主要的技术焦点是将NMR实验的S/N提高一个因子 的sqrt（2）超过行业标准。潜在的临床和研究用途 是为了获得可靠的，可重复的高分辨率图像， 诊断准确性，可能减少扫描时间，减少患者不适 同时增加MR扫描器中的吞吐量。我们相信这将是一个 给人类带来了巨大的利益。 拟定商业应用： 临床应用包括非电离，非侵入性和成本效益的方法，对诊断的肌肉骨骼疾病的膝盖，脚和手腕相比，侵入性关节造影。该项目将提供MR相控阵线圈技术的改进，包括序列和技术优化。 如果临床价值得到证实，基于MR系统的技术将在人体肌骨系统成像中得到广泛应用。

DESCRIPTION (Provided by Applicant): In Phase I, a RF coil array for high-resolution knee imaging was developed at 1.5T. Phantom tests and volunteer evaluations showed improved signal-to-noise of 24-28 percent over the industry standard. Phase II will involve optimizing the RF coil arrays based on a "new design," followed by extensive phantom and volunteer evaluations to achieve high signal-to-noise over the knee, foot and wrist joints of adults. A major technical focus is to improve the S/N of a NMR experiment by a factor of sqrt (2) over the industry standards. Potential clinical and research uses are to obtain reliable, reproducible high-resolution images needed to enhance diagnostic accuracy in possibly reduced scan times, reducing patient discomfort while increasing throughput in a MR scanner. This we believe will be of a substantial benefit to mankind. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Clinical applications include non-ionizing, non-invasive and a cost effective approach toward diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases of the knee, foot and wrist when compared to the invasive arthrography. This project will provide improvements to MR phased array coil technology, including sequences and technique optimizations. If clinical value is demonstrated, MR systems based technology will find widespread applications in imaging the human musculosketal system.