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Project

Rapid and low-cost 3D printing of subject-specific coils for improved magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that is widely used in both clinical practice and research. Unfortunately, MRI data acquisition is inherently slow and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) starved. Therefore, scanner access is limited and scans are relatively long, costly, and susceptible to motion artefacts. One of the most efficient ways to improve the SNR is by making the surface coils, which are used to pick up the signal, closely fit the subject to be imaged. However, because of the high cost of such coils, a design tailored to the subject is impossible. Because of the resulting gaps between the current standard-size coils and the subject, much signal is lost. This project will enable bespoke close-fitting coils via a radically novel fabrication workflow, guided by detailed electromagnetic simulations and extensively validated through diverse animal test cases. This method will result in a cost reduction of one to two orders of magnitude compared to commercial solutions and a paradigm shift towards a subject- and application-specific approach in research and pre-clinical and clinical work.
Date:1 Oct 2021 →  30 Sep 2023
Keywords:MRI, 3D printing
Disciplines:Medical imaging and therapy not elsewhere classified