title: Magneto-inductive catheter receiver for magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: A catheter-based RF receiver for internal magnetic resonance imaging is demonstrated. The device consists of a double-sided thin-film circuit, wrapped around a hollow catheter and sealed in place with heat-shrink tubing. Signals are detected using a resonant LC circuit at the catheter tip and transmitted along the catheter using an array of coupled LC circuits arranged as a magneto-inductive waveguide, a form of low frequency metamaterial. Coupling to a conventional RF system is accomplished using a demountable inductive transducer. Protection against external B 1 and E fields is obtained by using figure-of-eight elements with an electrical length shorter than that of an immersed dipole. The system is primarily designed for biliary imaging, can pass the biopsy channel of a side-opening duodenoscope, and is guidewire-compatible, potentially allowing clinicians to implement MR image guided procedures without changing their standard practice. Decoupling against B 1 and E fields is verified, and in vitro (1)H magnetic resonance imaging with submillimeter resolution is demonstrated at 1.5 T using phantoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK. r.syms@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Richard R A
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Syms
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Munir M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Simon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Taylor-Robinson
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rea
mesh_terms: D057785:Catheters; D004384:Duodenoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011846:Radio Waves