A theoretical model for magneto-acoustic imaging of bioelectriccurrents

A theoretical model of magneto-acoustic current imaging is derived, based on fundamental equations of continuum mechanics and electromagnetism. In electrically active tissue, the interaction between an applied magnetic field, B, and action currents, J, creates a pressure distribution. In the near field limb, this pressure obeys Poisson's equation, with a source term (∇×J)·B. The displacement and pressure fields are calculated for a dipole (q), oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the applied magnetic field (B), at the center of an elastic, conducting sphere (radius a, shear modulus G). Surface displacements are on the order of qB/(4πGa), which is about 1 nm for typical biological parameters. If the applied magnetic field is changing with time, eddy currents induced in the tissue may be larger than the action currents themselves. The frequency of the pressure and displacement arising from these eddy currents, however, is twice the frequency of the applied magnetic field, so it may be possible to eliminate this artifact by filtering or lock-in techniques. Magneto-acoustic and biomagnetic measurements both image ∇×J in a similar way, although magneto-acoustic current imaging has the disadvantage that acoustic properties vary among tissues to a greater degree than do magnetic properties     

Multislice Radio-Frequency Current Density Imaging

Radio-frequency current density imaging (RF-CDI) is an imaging technique that noninvasively measures current density distribution at the Larmor frequency utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Previously implemented RF-CDI techniques were only able to image a single slice transverse to the static magnetic field ${rm B}_{0}$ . This paper describes the first realization of a multislice RF-CDI sequence on a 1.5 T clinical imager. Multislice RF current density images have been reconstructed for two phantoms. The influence of MRI random noise on the sensitivity of the multislice RF-CDI measurement has also been studied by theoretical analysis, simulation and phantom experiments.      

Magnetic resonance driven electrical impedance tomography: a simulation study

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) is a method for reconstructing a three-dimensional image of the conductivity distribution in a target volume using magnetic resonance (MR). In MREIT, currents are applied to the volume through surface electrodes and their effects on the MR induced magnetic fields are analyzed to produce the conductance image. However, current injection through surface electrodes poses technical problems such as the limitation on the safely applicable currents. In this paper, we present a new method called magnetic resonance driven electrical impedance tomography (MRDEIT), where the magnetic resonance in each voxel is used as the applied magnetic field source, and the resultant electromagnetic field is measured through surface electrodes or radio-frequency (RF) detectors placed near the surface. Because the applied magnetic field is at the RF frequency and eddy currents are the integral components in the method, a vector wave equation for the electric field is used as the basis of the analysis instead of a quasi-static approximation. Using computer simulations, it is shown that complex permittivity images can be reconstructed using MRDEIT, but that improvements in signal detection are necessary for detecting moderate complex permittivity changes.     

RF field visualization of RF ablation at the Larmor frequency

Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) is an effective minimally invasive treatment for tumors. One primary source of difficulty is monitoring and controlling the ablation region. Currently, RFA is performed at 460 kHz, for which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could play a role given its capability for temperature monitoring and tumor visualization. If instead the ablation were to be performed at the MRI Larmor frequency, then the MR capability for B(1) field mapping could be used to directly visualize the radio-frequency (RF) fields created by the ablation currents. Visualizing the RF fields may enable better control of the ablation currents, enabling better control of lesion shape and size and improving repeatability. We demonstrate the feasibility of performing RFAs at 64 MHz and show preliminary results from imaging the RF fields from the ablation. The post-ablation RF fields show an increase in current density in the ablated region, consistent with an increase in conductivity of the ablated tissue.     

Simultaneous correction of ghost and geometric distortion artifactsin EPI using a multiecho reference scan

A computationally efficient technique is described for the simultaneous removal of ghosting and geometrical distortion artifacts in echo-planar imaging (EPI) utilizing a multiecho, gradient-echo reference scan. Nyquist ghosts occur in EPI reconstructions because odd and even lines of k-space are acquired with opposite polarity, and experimental imperfections such as gradient eddy currents, imperfect pulse sequence timing, B0 field inhomogeneity, susceptibility, and chemical shift result in the even and odd lines of k-space being offset by different amounts relative to the true center of the acquisition window. Geometrical distortion occurs due to the limited bandwidth of the EPI images in the phase-encode direction. This distortion can be problematic when attempting to overlay an activation map from a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment generated from EPI data on a high-resolution anatomical image. The method described here corrects for geometrical distortion related to B0 inhomogeneity, gradient eddy currents, radio-frequency pulse frequency offset, and chemical shift effect. The algorithm for removing ghost artifacts utilizes phase information in two dimensions and is, thus, more robust than conventional one-dimensional methods. An additional reference scan is required which takes approximately 2 min for a matrix size of 64 X 64 and a repetition time of 2 s. Results from a water phantom and a human brain at 3 T demonstrate the effectiveness of the method for removing ghosts and geometric distortion artifacts.     

An inverse methodology for high-frequency RF coil design for MRI with de-emphasized B1 fields.

An inverse methodology for the design of biologically loaded radio-frequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging applications is described. Free space time-harmonic electromagnetic Green's functions and de-emphasized B1 target fields are used to calculate the current density on the coil cylinder. In theory, with the B1 field de-emphasized in the middle of the RF transverse plane, the calculated current distribution can generate an internal magnetic field that can reduce the central overemphasis effect caused by field/tissue interactions at high frequencies. The current distribution of a head coil operating at 4 T (170 MHz) is calculated using an inverse methodology with de-emphasized B1 target fields. An in-house finite-difference time-domain routine is employed to evaluate B1 field and signal intensity inside a homogenous cylindrical phantom and then a complete human head model. A comparison with a conventional RF birdcage coil is carried out and demonstrates that this method can help in decreasing the normal bright region caused by field/tissue interactions in head images at 170 MHz and higher field strengths.     

旋转磁场激励下激光焊接裂纹磁光成像规律研究

为了研究旋转磁场激励下焊接裂纹磁光成像规律,采用工频旋转磁场对焊接裂纹激励并由磁光传感器获取裂纹磁光图像的方法,进行了理论分析和实验验证,取得了工频旋转磁场不同励磁强度下的动态磁光图像。结合磁光成像原理和旋转磁场理论,对所获数据的灰度值进行了对比分析。结果表明,旋转磁场工频励磁下任意1帧磁光图随励磁时间的推移都会发生变化,并以初始3帧磁光图为一个循环周期依次向下一帧磁光图转换,经过885帧磁光图后回到初始状态。该规律的发现有利于减少有效励磁时间,提高焊接缺陷无损检测效果。     

考虑衬底涡旋电流的CMOS射频电路电感元件的快速提取算法及实现

本文描述了一个采用复镜像方法来解析计算CMOS射频电路中衬底涡旋电流对螺旋电感元件的影响.其基本思路是将衬底里分布着的涡旋电流等效为电感金属绕组的一个镜像,但是这个镜像所处的位置是一个复数.通过把计算出的部分电感和部分电容矩阵组装成一个PEEC(部分元件等效电路)的办法,能够进一步算出螺旋电感的交流小信号参数.基于该算法实现的程序(称为SCAPE)的正确性已经通过大量的例子测试,并跟一些广泛使用的软件(如UC Berkeley的ASITIC和Agilent的ADS Momentum)进行了比较,结果证明了SCAPE具有精度高、运算速度快的优势.     

精细表面下细小缺陷的磁光涡流成像实时探测

磁光涡流成像检测装置可实现精细表面下细小缺陷探测。在该装置中，通过物体表面上方的交流激励线圈实现传统的涡流感应，涡流所感应的磁场由法拉第效应来检测。为了实现表面下缺陷的检测目标，激光穿过安放在激励线圈中的特殊的磁光晶体，激光偏振方向在晶体中的旋转大小取决于检测区域磁场的大小，缺陷将使检测区域磁场分量发生变化并使偏振光的旋转角发生相应变化，通过一光学装置转化成“明”或“暗”图像，该光学装置由传统的显微镜、照明系统、偏振器和CCD图像传感器组成。给出了初步的实验探测结果。     

Measurement of nonuniform current density by magnetic resonance

A noninvasive tissue current measurement technique and its use in measuring a nonuniform current density are described. This current density image is created by measuring the magnetic field arising from these currents and taking its curl. These magnetic fields are proportional to the phase component of a complex magnetic resonance image. Measurements of all three components of a quasistatic nonuniform current density in a phantom are described. Expected current density calculations from a numerical solution for the magnetic field which was created by the phantom are presented for comparison. The results of a numerical simulation of the experiment, which used this field solution and which included the effects of slice selection and sampling, are also presented. The experimental and simulated results are quantitatively compared. It is concluded that the principle source of systematic error was the finite slice thickness, which causes blurring of boundaries.     

Analysis of the eddy-current induced artifacts and the temporal compensation in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Reduction of eddy currents by a temporal compensation of the input current waveform to the gradient coil is studied with an analytic solution. The technique is the inverse filtering of the eddy-current affected field response, which is calculated from the diffusion equation. The limitation of the temporal compensation due to the spatially variant eddy currents is also investigated for whole-body diagnostic imaging systems and small-bore nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy systems. Within a limited imaging volume of less than 60% of the gradient coil diameter, most of eddy-current problems can be solved by the technique.     

An Optically Coupled System for Quantitative Monitoring of MRI-Induced RF Currents Into Long Conductors

The currents induced in long conductors such as guidewires by the radio-frequency (RF) field in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are responsible for potentially dangerous heating of surrounding media, such as tissue. This paper presents an optically coupled system with the potential to quantitatively measure the RF currents induced on these conductors. The system uses a self shielded toroid transducer and active circuitry to modulate a high speed light-emitting-diode transmitter. Plastic fiber guides the light to a photodiode receiver and transimpedance amplifier. System validation included a series of experiments with bare wires that compared wire tip heating by fluoroptic thermometers with the RF current sensor response. Validations were performed on a custom whole body 64 MHz birdcage test platform and on a 1.5 T MRI scanner. With this system, a variety of phenomena were demonstrated including cable trap current attenuation, lossy dielectric Q-spoiling and even transverse electromagnetic wave node patterns. This system should find applications in studies of MRI RF safety for interventional devices such as pacemaker leads, and guidewires. In particular, variations of this device could potentially act as a realtime safety monitor during MRI guided interventions.      

A Switching Circulator: S-Band; Stripline; Remanent; 15 kilowatts; I0 microseconds; Temperature-Stable

A stripline, three-port remanence circulator switch has been designed for high-speed switching of time delay in a phased array RADAR at S-band (2.9 GHz). Special attention was devoted to minimizing switching time and energy through design of the magnetic circuit and suppression of eddy currents. Temperature stabilization of insertion phase was accomplished by means of a flux regulating magnetic circuit. Switching performance: time: less than 10 micro-seconds; energy: 450 microjoules. Circulator performance: bandwidth for >26 dB isolation, 8.9 percent; insertion loss, 0.35 dB. Temperature stability of insertion phase: one electrical degree per 10/spl deg/C. Peak RF power: 15 kW. The discussion includes details of the junction design and performance, techniques of eddy current suppression, temperature stabilization, and the method of switching energy measurements.     

Biomagnetic Fourier imaging [current density reconstruction

A technique for reconstructing a current density distribution from measurements of its magnetic field is described. The technique assumes that the current distribution is confined to a single plane. The data it requires are measurements of the magnetic flux on a plane. These can be provided by an integrated planar array of superconducting quantum interference device magnetometers. The approach is based on the magnetic lead field which is derived in a simple way based on energy concepts. Using the lead field and conservation of charge conditions provides two linear, spatially invariant imaging equations relating the current density and flux measurements. These equations are solved using Fourier techniques. The validity of the resulting reconstruction technique is shown both analytically and with a computer model. The effects of not satisfying the planar assumption are described for the case where the currents are parallel but not in the same plane.     

A time-harmonic inverse methodology for the design of RF coils inMRI

An inverse methodology is described to assist in the design of radio-frequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. The time-harmonic electromagnetic Green's functions are used to calculate current on the coil and shield cylinders that will generate a specified internal magnetic field. Stream function techniques and the method of moments are then used to implement this theoretical current density into an RF coil. A novel asymmetric coil operating for a 4.5 T MRI machine was designed and constructed using this methodology and the results are presented.     

An FDTD model for calculation of gradient-induced eddy currents in MRI system

In most magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, pulsed magnetic gradient fields induce eddy currents in the conducting structures of the superconducting magnet. The eddy currents induced in structures within the cryostat are particularly problematic as they are characterized by long time constants by virtue of the low resistivity of the conductors. This paper presents a three-dimensional (3-D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) scheme in cylindrical coordinates for eddy-current calculation in conductors. This model is intended to be part of a complete FDTD model of an MRI system including all RF and low-frequency field generating units and electrical models of the patient. The singularity apparent in the governing equations is removed by using a series expansion method and the conductor-air boundary condition is handled using a variant of the surface impedance concept. The numerical difficulty due to the "asymmetry" of Maxwell equations for low-frequency eddy-current problems is circumvented by taking advantage of the known penetration behavior of the eddy-current fields. A perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition in 3-D cylindrical coordinates is also incorporated. The numerical method has been verified against analytical solutions for simple cases. Finally, the algorithm is illustrated by modeling a pulsed field gradient coil system within an MRI magnet system. The results demonstrate that the proposed FDTD scheme can be used to calculate large-scale eddy-current problems in materials with high conductivity at low frequencies.     

一种磁感应成像中生物组织涡流信号的新型测量方法

磁感应成像(MIT)是对所测生物组织电导率进行图像重建的一种新型技术,生物组织所产生的涡流信号过于微弱制约着MIT检测装置的设计精度和重建图像的分辨率.该文基于涡流信号的特点,提出一种最大化减少主磁场信号的涡流检测方法,即对线圈传感器进行改进有效抵消主磁场信号从而增大涡流场.针对所提出的MIT测量模型,通过仿真实验,确...     

Field Distribution Due to a Circular Current Loop Placed in an Arbitrary Position above a Conducting Plate

The calculation of eddy currents within a conducting slab when the excitation is a circular current loop in an arbitrary position above the slab is examined. The magnetic flux density in regions outside the slab is also determined. The diffusion equation of the magnetic vector potential is written in a coordinate system attached to the geometry of the configuration by using two Dirac functions. The field vectors are expressed as double Fourier integrals.     

Transient Electromagnetic Fields Due to a Circular Current Loop Perpendicular or Parallel to a Conducting Half-Space

Currents having the form of a step function or a pulse flowing in a circular loop placed above a conducting medium occupying the half-space give rise to eddy currents within the conducting material. The loop is located either perpendicular or parallel to the interface of the two half-spaces. For the transient state the distribution of eddy currents is determined inside the conducting medium, the distribution of the magnetic field is also determined in the air region which occupies the other half-space.     

Estimating Motion From MRI Data

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an ideal imaging modality to measure blood flow and tissue motion. It provides excellent contrast between soft tissues, and images can be acquired at positions and orientations freely defined by the user. From a temporal sequence of MR images, boundaries and edges of tissues can be tracked by image processing techniques. Additionally, MRI permits the source of the image signal to be manipulated. For example, temporary magnetic tags displaying a pattern of variable brightness may be placed in the object using MR saturation techniques, giving the user a known pattern to detect for motion tracking. The MRI signal is a modulated complex quantity, being derived from a rotating magnetic field in the form of an induced current. Well-defined patterns can also be introduced into the phase of the magnetization, and could be thought of as generalized tags. If the phase of each pixel is preserved during image reconstruction, relative phase shifts can be used to directly encode displacement, velocity and acceleration. New methods for modeling motion fields from MRI have now found application in cardiovascular and other soft tissue imaging. In this review, we shall describe the methods used for encoding, imaging, and modeling motion fields with MRI.