Self-tuning stretchable RF receive coil concept using liquid metal encapsulated within an elastic polymer

TitleSelf-tuning stretchable RF receive coil concept using liquid metal encapsulated within an elastic polymer
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference2021
AuthorsMotovilova E, Vincent J, Robb F, Taracila V, Shin J, Tan ETsoon, Sneag DB, Potter HG, Winkler SA
Conference NameISMRM Virtual Conference
Abstract

Commercial coils, built to accommodate a wide range of anatomical dimensions, are rigid and of fixed size, thus yielding sub-optimal SNR and patient comfort. Existing flexible/stretchable solutions suffer from resonance detuning due to inductance changes under stretch/deformation. In this work, we propose an alternative coil concept using liquid metal microchannel conductors encapsulated in a stretchable polymer matrix. We developed a self-tuning coil using a stretchable, adaptively compensating, interdigital capacitor. We observed a <0.5% of frequency stability in silico and in vitro. In vivo results were demonstrated on 3T wrist imaging.