Computational evaluation for improving the |B1 + field in deep brain and cerebellum using a combination of a birdcage coil and a dipole antenna array

Abstract

The use of strong magnetic fields for brain imaging has shown that increased SNR and resolution can be obtained. Such MRI systems are prone to field non-uniformities that are more likely to appear in deep brain structures making high-quality imaging of deep brain regions a challenge. We investigate the combination of a dipole antenna and Birdcage coil to generate a uniform magnetic field with high intensity in the deep brain. Magnetic fields |B1|, were computed from a human brain model and statistical analysis was done specifically on the tissues of interest. The geometry of the Birdcage coil and eight Dipole antenna array was selected after performing simulations by varying its dimensions, and evaluating the |B1| field intensity and uniformity on the deep brain area. The proposed combination of birdcage coil and dipole array shows to have an improvement on the field intensity and uniformity on the deep brain and cerebellum area in comparison to only using the birdcage coil. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.