Numerical simulations of an integrated radio-frequency/wireless coil design for simultaneous acquisition and wireless transfer of magnetic resonance imaging data

Abstract

Objective: A novel MRI radio-frequency coil design, termed an integrated RF/wireless (iRFW) coil design, can simultaneously perform MRI signal reception and far-field wireless data transfer with the same coil conductors between the coil in the scanner bore and an access point (AP) on the scanner room wall. The objective of this work is to optimize the design inside the scanner bore to provide a link budget between the coil and the AP for the wireless transmission of MRI data. 

Approach: Electromagnetic simulations were performed at the Larmor frequency of a 3T scanner and in a WiFi wireless communication band to optimize the radius and position of an iRFW coil located near the head of a human model inside the scanner bore, which were validated by performing both imaging and wireless experiments.

Main Results: The simulated iRFW coil with a 40-mm radius positioned near the model forehead provided: a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) comparable to that of a traditional RF coil with the same radius and position, a power absorbed by the human model within regulatory limits, and a gain pattern in the scanner bore resulting in a link budget of 51.1 dB between the coil and an AP located behind the scanner 3 m from the isocenter, which would be sufficient to wirelessly transfer MRI data acquired with a 16-channel coil array.

Significance: The MRI coil array cable assembly connected to the scanner increases patient setup time, can present a burn risk to patients and is an obstacle to the development of lightweight, flexible, or wearable coil arrays that provide an improved coil sensitivity. Significantly, the RF coaxial cables and corresponding receive chain electronics can be removed from within the scanner by integrating the iRFW coil design into an array for the wireless transmission of MRI data outside of the bore.