Researchers Find Low-Cost Way to Improve Patient Comfort and Decrease Scan Times

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 08 Jun 2016

Researchers in the US have developed flexible and light Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) coils that can decrease MRI scanning times while still providing high-quality MRI images.

MRI scans can take more than an hour, during which time a patient is not allowed to move. This can be challenging for children and often clinicians resort to using anesthesia for infants, which can be an additional risk factor. The scans take long because of the low sensitivity of MRI technology, and if a patient moves during the scan the image may even contain artifacts. One possible solution is to use a stronger magnet, but this is costly. Another way is to use high-density MRI coil arrays that can increase the strength of the received MRI signal and accelerate signal acquisition.

Image: (L) An MRI image showing the result of moving a coil array a small distance away from a patient, and (R) an image showing results of using one of the new coils wrapped tightly around the patient (Photo courtesy of University of California, Berkeley).

To solve these issues researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California (Berkeley, CA, USA) developed flexible MRI RadioFrequency (RF) coils using a screen-printer. The coils are light, and flexible, and can be wrapped around a patient’s body to increase the sensitivity of an exam. The coils are designed to work with 1.5T and 3T scanners and are reusable. The researchers teamed-up with clinicians at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (Palo Alto, CA, US), and GE Healthcare (Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, UK) to develop the new the technology for clinical practice.

Guoying Liu, at the US National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), which funded the research, said, “This technology could greatly increase patient comfort at a relatively low cost. Not having to experience the trauma of long MRI exams is a significant benefit to pediatric patients and their parents during what is often a trying time. This new development is an excellent example of how new technologies can come together to create a better experience for the patient.”

Related Links:
University of California
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
GE Healthcare