Optimization of a close-fitting volume RF coil for brain imaging at 6.5 mT using linear programming

OBJECTIVE The use of a close-fitting roughly head-shaped volume coil for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging has the advantage of improved filling factor and thus the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in brain imaging experiments. However, the surface of the RF coil follows that of the head which makes it difficult to determine an optimal coil winding pattern. We describe here a new method to optimize a head-shaped RF coil with the objective of maximizing its SNR and RF-magnetic-field homogeneity for operation at ultra-low magnetic field (6.5 mT, 276 kHz). METHODS The approach consists of FEM (finite-element-method) simulation and linear programing-based optimization. RESULTS We have implemented the optimization and further studied the relationship between the design requirements and the performance of the RF coil. Finally, we constructed an optimal RF coil and scanned both a head-shape phantom and a human subject. CONCLUSION The method we outline here provide new insight into the conductor layout needed for magnetic optimization of structurally complex coils, especially when tradeoffs between competing attributes (SNR and homogeneity in this case) must be made.