Abstract
This paper addresses the scientific and technological challenges related to the development of wireless radiofrequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on published literature together with the authors’ interpretation and further considerations. Key requirements and possible strategies for the wireless implementation of three important subsystems, namely the MR receive signal chain, control signaling and on-coil power supply, are presented and discussed. For RF signals of modern MRI setups (e.g. 3 T, 64 RF receive channels), with on-coil digitization and advanced methods for dynamic range (≥ 16 bit) and data rate compression, still data rates > 500 Mbps will be required. For wireless high-speed MR data transmission, 60 GHz WiGig and optical wireless communication appear to be suitable strategies, however, on-coil functionality during MRI scans remains to be verified. Besides RF signals, control signals for on-coil components, e.g. active detuning, synchronization to the MR system and B0 shimming, have to be managed. Wireless power supply becomes an important issue, especially with a large amount of additional on-coil components. Wireless power transfer systems (> 10 W) seem to be an attractive solution compared to bulky MR compatible batteries and energy harvesting with low power output. In our opinion, completely wireless RF coils will ultimately become feasible in the future by combining efficient available strategies from recent scientific advances and novel research. Besides ongoing improvement of all three subsystems, innovations are specifically required regarding wireless technologies, MR compatibility, and wireless power supply.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become one of the major tools in non-invasive medical diagnostics, providing a multitude of quantitative and functional information with ever-increasing performance
The constant search for improved sensitivity and specificity in MR examinations has coined the trend toward MR scanners with higher static magnetic field strength (B0) [1, 2] and radio frequency (RF) coil arrays with larger numbers of individual receive elements [3]
We summarized the status quo of wireless RF coil development and analyzed existing strategies for the adaptation of the three subsystems of wireless RF coils: the MR receive signal chain, control signaling, and on-coil power supply
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become one of the major tools in non-invasive medical diagnostics, providing a multitude of quantitative and functional information with ever-increasing performance. Wireless RF Coils for MRI high-end clinical MR scanners have a static magnetic field strength of 3 T (together with first clinical 7 T systems being installed currently) and feature up to 64 receive channels (128 or more in some research units), allowing for shorter examination times using parallel imaging [4, 5]. Handling of the coil becomes cumbersome and delicate in a way that the coil installation can occupy a significant fraction of the total exam time This is of particular concern for applications requiring very long coaxial cables, such as abdominal MRI. All parts must function robustly in the strong static B0 field and handle coil vibrations, patient movement, bore reflections, and most importantly, gradient and RF fields present during MRI To this end, some sensitive parts can be covered by Faraday cages. The aim is to outline feasible and efficient approaches toward wireless communication in MRI and prospect digital wireless RF devices, highlighting the most promising strategies as well as associated benefits and challenges
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