High-Pass Two-Dimensional Ladder Network Resonators
- *Abstract
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In magnetic resonance imaging, a "coil" or "resonator" may be used to both transmit the excitation pulses and receive the signals from the tissue being imaging. Alternatively, one coil may be used to transmit the excitation pulses and another separate coil to receive the signals from the nuclei. The data in the received signals are processed via complex computer algorithms into images.
A Cornell team of inventors have developed an improvement to the configuration of the circuits in these coils. The Cornell circuits form a grid and inductively couple to form a high-pass two-dimensional ladder network. Other investigators have thought that the signals picked up by inductively coupled circuits like these would be too complex to convert into images. The Cornell team's insight was that these circuits may be treated mathematically like mechanical membranes (e.g. a drum), the equations for which are well understood. This allowed the team to create algorithms to process the data from the resonators into images.
The Cornell coils are about twice as sensitive as standard coils, either doubling the resolution of images using the same amount of time, or getting the same resolution in the quarter the time that standard coils require. Part of the increased sensitivity is due to these coils being more amenable to being formed in tightly curving shapes, to remain close to the tissue being imaged -- an important consideration with higher Tesla magnets. The coils also provide a more homogenous field than other coils.
These resonators may also have application outside the field of medical imaging. A given high pass 2D network resonator has a defined signature when excited over a range of radiofrequencies. If the resonators were manufactured in small grids, and the capictors in each circuit were randomized, each would have a unique signature. If such a grid were implanted in an ID card or RFID chip, it would add an extra layer of identity, for more secure verification.
Potential Applications
- Improved body coils (sold OEM) and improved head, joint, and other coils that can be sold retail.
- Security or identity cards
- RF ID
- *Licensing
- Vibhu Sachdev(212) 746-6187sachdev@cornell.edu
- 其他
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Voss HU, Ballon DJ. (2006) High-pass two-dimensional ladder network resonators for magnetic resonance imaging. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 53(12 Pt 2):2590-3.
- 國家/地區
- 美國
