New Butterfly Coil Demonstrates Improved Signal Quality

Suk-Min Hong, Chang-Hoon Choi, N. Jon Shah and Jörg Felder

8th January 2024

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a critical tool for understanding brain function, with the RF coil playing a central role in the imaging process. In this recent study, INM-4 researchers introduced a novel single-channel butterfly coil designed to operate in circular polarised (CP) mode, aiming to enhance image resolution.

Traditionally, RF coils utilise linear polarised (LP) methods for the multi-channel receive only coil. However, this study explores the potential benefits of the circular polarised (CP) method, which is generated by usingsplit resonance peak tuning on the single-channel butterfly coil.

Additionally, the study evaluates the performance of the single-channel CP butterfly coil compared to conventional single-channel LP coils. The results, obtained through simulations and MR measurements, suggest that the single-channel CP butterfly coil could be a viable solution for improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in phased array receive-only coils.

This development is seen as a step forward in the continuous refinement of MRI technology, offering a practical enhancement in signal quality. The research focuses on the technical aspects and potential applications of the innovative butterfly coil.

The Figure above shows simulation model and schematic of the CP butterfly coil and current pattern of the CP butterfly coil at the different phase. The left and right loop of the CP butterfly coil turned on and off at different phase resulting CP mode operation.

Link to origional publication: A Novel Circularly Polarised Butterfly RF Coil Concept for MRI