A truncated twisted solenoid RF phase gradient transmit coil for TRASE MRI.

Transmit array spatial encoding (TRASE) is an MR imaging technique that achieves k-space encoding through the use of phase gradients in the RF transmit field. Without requiring B0 gradient fields, TRASE MRI can be performed using significantly cheaper bi-planar permanent magnets or Halbach arrays. For TRASE encoding with these magnets, the twisted solenoid has been demonstrated as the most efficient RF transmit coil; however, this specific geometry results in a long coil with a relatively short imaging volume. We introduce a new truncated design to increase the usable imaging volume relative to the coil length. Based on simulations of optimal parameters, a 200 mm long, 100 mm inner diameter coil pair was constructed with an imaging volume 100 mm in length and 80 mm in diameter. The coil pair was tested using an un-shimmed 2.84 MHz Halbach array. Results indicate the truncated design can create a similar imaging volume and quality to the untruncated version whilst significantly reducing the length of the coil by as much as a half.

A geometrically decoupled, twisted solenoid single-axis gradient coil set for TRASE.

PURPOSE: TRASE uses phase gradients in the RF transmit field to encode MRI data. A highly efficient twisted solenoid coil was proposed recently for TRASE imaging for transverse B0 geometries. This novel coil can be rotated to generate a phase gradient in any transverse direction, therefore, combining two such coils would double k-space coverage for single-axis encoding, resulting in higher spatial resolution. However, the strong inductive coupling between a pair of coaxial twisted solenoids must be overcome. METHODS: Here, we demonstrate that two concentric twisted solenoids, designed using previously described Biot-Savart calculations, can be geometrically decoupled by attaching to each a regular solenoid in series. The regular solenoid geometry resulting in minimization of mutual inductance was determined from simulations using the FastHenry2 tool. The effects on TRASE encoding performance due to the regular solenoids were assessed from simulations and experiments. RESULTS: The maximum resulting B1 magnitude and phase distortions were 3.7% and 4.6∘ , while a good isolation S12=-17.5 dB between the coil pair was obtained. TRASE experiments confirmed the double k-space coverage, and achieved a rapid spin echo train with 128 k-space points collected within 80 ms, allowing short T2 samples to be accurately imaged. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a pair of twisted solenoid phase gradient RF coils can be geometrically decoupled. Advantages over active PIN diode decoupling include faster switching, lower hardware complexity, and scalability.

A high duty-cycle, multi-channel, power amplifier for high-resolution radiofrequency encoded magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: A radiofrequency (RF) power amplifier is an essential component of any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Unfortunately, no commercial amplifier exists to fulfill the needs of the transmit array spatial encoding (TRASE) MRI technique, requiring high duty cycle, high RF output power and independently controlled multi-channel capability. Thus, an RF amplifier for TRASE MRI is needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dual-channel RF power amplifier dedicated for TRASE at 0.22 T (9.27 MHz) was designed and constructed using commercially available components. The amplifier was tested on the bench and used a 0.22 T MRI system with a twisted solenoid and saddle RF coil combination capable of a single-axis TRASE. RESULTS: The amplifier is capable of sequential, dual-channel operation up to 50% duty cycle, 1 kW peak output and highly stable 100 µs RF pulse trains. High spatial resolution one-dimensional TRASE was obtained with the power amplifier to demonstrate its capability. CONCLUSION: The constructed amplifier is the first prototype that meets the requirements of TRASE rectifying limitations of duty cycle and timing presented by commercial RF amplifiers. The amplifier makes possible future high resolution in vivo TRASE MRI.

Bifunctional Pyrrolidin-2-one Terminated Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles for Combined Magnetic Resonance and Fluorescence Imaging.

Multimodal probes are an asset for simplified, improved medical imaging. In particular, fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are sought-after combined capabilities. Here, we show that pyrrolidin-2-one-capped manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnOpyrr NPs) combine MRI with fluorescence microscopy to function as efficient bifunctional bio-nanoprobes. We employ a one-pot synthesis for ca. 10 nm MnO NPs, wherein manganese(II) 2,4-pentadionate is thermally decomposed using pyrrolidin-2-one as a solvent and capping ligand. The MnOpyrr NPs are soluble in water without any further postsynthetic modifications. The r1 relaxivity and r2 /r1 ratio indicate that these NPs are potential T1 MRI contrast agents at clinical (3 T) and ultrahigh (9.4 T) magnetic fields. Serendipitously, the as-prepared NPs are photoluminescent. The unexpected luminescence is ascribed to the modification of the pyrrolidin-2-one during the thermal treatment. MnOpyrr NPs are successfully used to enable fluorescence microscopy of HeLa cells, demonstrating bifunctional imaging capabilities. A low cytotoxic response in two distinct cell types (HeLa, HepG2) supports the suitability of MnOpyrr NPs for biological imaging applications.