High sensitivity shielded coils for MRI applications

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique widely used in clinical practice and research since it provides high-resolution soft-tissue contrast and functional information. Unfortunately, MRI data acquisition is inherently slow and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) starved. Although the SNR can be increased by using higher-field scanners, a better surface coils often provide more significant gains in a cost-effective manner. Ideally, it would be possible to use subject-specific coils instead of standard ones, because of the gains in image quality, scan time, and subject comfort. Apart from the required design know-how, most of the cost of tailored coils, is due to manual operations and assembly. This project will enable tailored, close-fitting MRI surface coils through a radically novel workflow based on 3D printing, reducing the cost of building tailored coils. The proposed interdisciplinary approach combines research areas that are typically not considered together: 3D printing, electromagnetic simulations, and MRI studies. To succeed, an interdisciplinary team is required: Prof. R. Ameloot will provide expertise in 3D printing and materials; Prof. D. Sakellariou will provide know-how in electromagnetic simulations and RF coil characterization; Prof. W. Vanduffel and Prof. U. Himmelreich are both experts in MRI and will test the printed MRI coils in different animal studies. Moreover, the Vanduffel lab is the only KU Leuven lab with expertise in building custom MRI coils and will construct pre-amplifier circuits and scanner connections, as well as surface coils using classical methods for comparison. The student Q. Goudard will combine these approaches to develop different pieces of MRI hardware.