Cylindrical meanderline radiofrequency coil for intravascular magnetic resonance studies of atherosclerotic plaque

In order to improve the performance of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of atherosclerotic plaque the potential use of novel radiofrequency coil structures with sensitive detection volumes tailored to the geometry of the arterial wall was investigated. It was found that a cylindrical meanderline (zig–zag) coil design provides a sensitive volume that is restricted to a cylindrical shell, thereby maximizing the filling factor and signal‐to‐noise ratio for plaques while reducing the intense blood signal. The cylindrical meanderline coil has the added advantages of an open interior, which allows for unimpeded blood flow during scanning, and the potential to be expanded against the walls of the artery, thereby stabilizing the coil against the pulsatile blood flow and minimizing motion artifacts. The performance of cylindrical meanderline coils with theoretical simulations of the electromagnetic fields as well as with experimental images of test objects (phantoms) and human endarterectomy surgical specimens is demonstrated. This radically new RF coil geometry offers the potential to improve the efficiency of MR data acquisition in medical applications in which curved surfaces or slabs contain the material of interest. Magn Reson Med 53:226–230, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

[1]  F A Jolesz,et al.  Prototype miniature endoluminal MR imaging catheter. , 1993, Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR.

[2]  T. Szabo,et al.  A new model for the flat conductor electromagnetic SAW transducer , 1978 .

[3]  Bob S. Hu,et al.  In vivo real-time intravascular MRI. , 2002, Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

[4]  Meir Shinnar,et al.  A Novel Nonobstructive Intravascular MRI Coil: In Vivo Imaging of Experimental Atherosclerosis , 2003, Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology.

[5]  Allen N. Garroway,et al.  NQR detection using a meanderline surface coil , 1991 .

[6]  René M. Botnar,et al.  Initial experiences with in vivo intravascular coronary vessel wall imaging , 2003, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[7]  D B Plewes,et al.  MR imaging of blood vessels with an intravascular coil , 1992, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[8]  R. Meuli,et al.  Reciprocity and sensitivity of opposed-solenoid endovascular MRI probes. , 2002, Journal of magnetic resonance.

[9]  T. Nakada,et al.  31P NMR spectroscopy of the stomach by zig–zag coil , 1987, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[10]  R. Balaban,et al.  In Vivo 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements in Canine Heart Using a Catheter‐Coil , 1984, Circulation research.

[11]  H H Quick,et al.  Vascular stents as RF antennas for intravascular MR guidance and imaging , 1999, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[12]  Hermann A. Haus,et al.  Modes of grating waveguide , 1978 .

[13]  J L Duerk,et al.  Intravascular (catheter) NMR receiver probe: Preliminary design analysis and application to canine iliofemoral imaging , 1992, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[14]  K. Rubinson,et al.  A novel topical probe for MRI: the flat, truncated line probe. , 1995, Magnetic resonance imaging.

[15]  J. Debatin,et al.  Single‐loop coil concepts for intravascular magnetic resonance imaging , 1999, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[16]  Bernd Hamm,et al.  A Vascular Stent as an Active Component for Locally Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Initial In Vivo Imaging Results After Catheter-guided Placement in Rabbits , 2003, Investigative radiology.

[17]  R. Luebbers,et al.  The Finite Difference Time Domain Method for Electromagnetics , 1993 .

[18]  S. Souza,et al.  Real‐time position monitoring of invasive devices using magnetic resonance , 1993, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[19]  Ogan Ocali,et al.  Intravascular magnetic resonance imaging using a loopless catheter antenna , 1997, Magnetic resonance in medicine.