Simulating an MRgFUS System with Low-Permittivity Bath medium And Slotted Ground for Enhanced MR Signal

Numerical simulations are used to design a method for improving Magnetic Resonance (MR) image Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) during transcranial MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS). The method involved both reduction of the permittivity in the hemispherical fluid bath surrounding the head and adding slots to the ground plane of the dome-shaped ultrasound array. Results indicated SNR could even outperform that with no focused ultrasound present.