High peak and high average radiofrequency power transmit/receive switch for thermal magnetic resonance

Tools

Item Type:	Article
Title:	High peak and high average radiofrequency power transmit/receive switch for thermal magnetic resonance
Creators Name:	Ji, Y., Hoffmann, W., Pham, M., Dunn, A.E., Han, H., Özerdem, C., Waiczies, H., Rohloff, M., Endemann, B., Boyer, C., Lim, M., Niendorf, T. and Winter, L.
Abstract:	PURPOSE: To study the role of temperature in biological systems, diagnostic contrasts and thermal therapies, RF pulses for MR spin excitation can be deliberately used to apply a thermal stimulus. This application requires dedicated transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) switches that support high peak powers for MRI and high average powers for RF heating. To meet this goal, we propose a high‐performance Tx/Rx switch based on positive‐intrinsic‐negative diodes and quarter‐wavelength (λ/4) stubs. METHODS: The λ/4 stubs in the proposed Tx/Rx switch design route the transmitted RF signal directly to the RF coil/antenna without passing through any electronic components (e.g., positive‐intrinsic‐negative diodes). Bench measurements, MRI, MR thermometry, and RF heating experiments were performed at f = 297 MHz (B0 = 7 T) to examine the characteristics and applicability of the switch. RESULTS: The proposed design provided an isolation of −35.7dB/−41.5dB during transmission/reception. The insertion loss was −0.41dB/−0.27dB during transmission/reception. The switch supports high peak (3.9 kW) and high average (120 W) RF powers for MRI and RF heating at f = 297 MHz. High‐resolution MRI of the wrist yielded image quality competitive with that obtained with a conventional Tx/Rx switch. Radiofrequency heating in phantom monitored by MR thermometry demonstrated the switch applicability for thermal modulation. Upon these findings, thermally activated release of a model drug attached to thermoresponsive polymers was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The high‐power Tx/Rx switch enables thermal MR applications at 7 T, contributing to the study of the role of temperature in biological systems and diseases. All design files of the switch will be made available open source at www.opensourceimaging.org.
Keywords:	Open Source Hardware, RF Induced Heating, Thermal Magnetic Resonance, Transmit Receive Switch, Ultrahigh Field MR
Source:	Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
ISSN:	0740-3194
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
Volume:	80
Number:	5
Page Range:	2246-2255
Date:	November 2018
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.27194
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

Repository Staff Only: item control page