Twenty‐four–channel high‐impedance glove array for hand and wrist MRI at 3T

Abstract

To present a novel 3T 24-channel glove array that enables hand and wrist imaging in varying postures. Methods:The glove array consists of an inner glove holding the electronics and an outer glove protecting the components. The inner glove consists of four main structures: palm, fingers, wrist, and a flap that rolls over on top. Each structure was constructed out of three layers: a layer of electrostatic discharge flameresistant fabric, a layer of scuba neoprene, and a layer of mesh fabric. Lightweight and flexible high impedance coil (HIC) elements were inserted into dedicated tubes sewn into the fabric. Coil elements were deliberately shortened to minimize the matching interface. Siemens Tim 4G technology was used to connect all 24 HIC elements to the scanner with only one plug. Results:The 24-channel glove array allows large motion of both wrist and hand while maintaining the SNR needed for high-resolution imaging. Conclusion:In this work, a purpose-built 3T glove array that embeds 24 HIC elements is demonstrated for both hand and wrist imaging. The 24-channel glove array allows a great range of motion of both the wrist and hand while maintaining a high SNR and providing good theoretical acceleration performance, thus enabling hand and wrist imaging at different postures to extract kinematic information.

Extended and weightbearing wrist 3-T MRI using a novel harness and flexible 24-channel glove coil to evaluate carpal kinematics: a pilot study in 10 volunteers

“…Two specialized, non-clinical devices were developed: a flexible receive coil; and a harness to control a stable wrist imaging position and guide desired motion. The former utilized a previously described “glove” coil design created and constructed to enable a variety of hand and wrist positions, including wrist extension (21). The coil consists of 24 flexible loops with a 6-cm diameter that cover the wrist and hand.…”

“…Given the paucity of work on dynamic and weightbearing carpal kinematics, we sought to develop a framework for imaging the wrist in the extended and weightbearing extended positions. To do so, we first implemented a flexible coil that provided high sensitivity while allowing full range of motion at the wrist (21). We then developed a harness to guide wrist extension (7,12,13).…”

Specialized Open-Transmit and flexible receiver Head Coil for High Resolution Ultra-high field fMRI of the Human Somatosensory and Motor Cortex

“…These designs were based on an adaptive rigid shell, of which coil elements located at a certain distance from the imaging position. The flexible head coils had demonstrated some advantages in the aspects of adaptability and SNR [31][32][33][34][35][36] . Therefore, a flexible receiver head coil should be designed with an open birdcage coil for fMRI.…”

Wireless, customizable coaxially shielded coils for magnetic resonance imaging

“…With respect to their application to MRI systems, the focus herein, recent advancements involve the utilization of coaxial cable in the development of surface coils ( 42 ). Examples include high-impedance gloves for hand imaging ( 43 ), wearable coils for breast imaging ( 44 ), and knee imaging ( 45 , 46 ). These surface coils, based on coaxial cables, effectively isolate themselves electromagnetically from neighboring elements, achieving desired decoupling effects.…”