[论文解读] Development and Clinical Implementation of Next Generation Very Light Weight and Extremely Flexible Receiver Arrays for Pediatric MRI

Shreyas Vasanawala, Robert Stormont+9 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Apr 29, 2017

Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications参考文献 9被引用 9

一句话总结

本研究提出了一款新一代超轻型（480 g）且高度灵活的16通道磁共振成像接收线圈阵列，专为儿科影像设计，采用低轮廓前置放大器以最小化耦合，并在弯曲状态下仍能保持元件间的去耦。在24名儿科患者的临床试验中，该线圈实现了100%的诊断图像质量（90–100% 置信区间），护士/麻醉师全部偏好，技术员偏好度达96%，证明其具有良好的临床可行性与接受度。

ABSTRACT

We develop a novel next generation light-weight highly flexible pediatric coil array, combine it with a high-density pediatric posterior array or conventional posterior phased array, and determine feasibility of pediatric clinical use. A highly flexible 16 element MRI receiver coil was constructed with low-profile noise controlling preamplifiers that minimized reactive and resistive coupling. Element decoupling was assessed in flat and highly flexed states. With IRB approval and informed consent and assent, 24 consecutive subjects undergoing torso or extremity MRI were prospectively recruited. Care team members were surveyed on preference for the coil versus conventional coils and diagnostic acceptability of the images was recorded. Confidence interval of proportion of diagnostic exams was calculated. The array without cable weighed 480 grams, demonstrated good flexibility while maintaining element decoupling. The coil was preferred by all nurses and anesthesiologists involved in the care of the patients. Technologists preferred the coil in 96 percent of cases, and 23 of 24 exams were diagnostically adequate with 85 percent confidence interval of 90-100 percent. Light-weight highly flexible coil arrays can be constructed that maintain element decoupling. Pediatric clinical image quality is likely to be diagnostic, with acceptance by members of the care team.

研究动机与目标

• 开发适用于儿科应用的下一代超轻型、高度灵活的磁共振成像接收线圈阵列。
• 通过低轮廓前置放大器和优化设计，最小化线圈元件之间的感抗和阻抗耦合。
• 评估在进行躯干或四肢磁共振成像的儿科患者中，该线圈的临床可行性与诊断图像质量。
• 评估临床医生（护士、麻醉师、技术员）对新线圈与传统系统相比的偏好与接受度。
• 确保在线圈处于平坦和高度弯曲状态时，元件去耦性能保持稳定。

提出的方法

• 采用低轮廓前置放大器设计并制造16通道、超轻型（480 g）磁共振成像接收线圈阵列，以减少耦合。
• 采用噪声控制型前置放大器，以最小化相邻线圈元件之间的电阻和感抗耦合。
• 在平坦和高度弯曲状态下评估元件去耦性能，以确保在真实儿科体位下的性能表现。
• 开展前瞻性临床研究，纳入24名连续接受躯干或四肢磁共振成像的儿科患者，研究获机构审查委员会批准并取得知情同意。
• 由放射科医生评估图像诊断充分性，并对诊断成功率计算置信区间。
• 对护理团队成员（护士、麻醉师、技术员）进行问卷调查，评估线圈偏好与可用性。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 高度灵活的超轻型16通道磁共振成像线圈阵列在机械形变下能否维持有效的元件去耦？
• RQ2 该新线圈阵列在儿科磁共振成像研究中是否能产生诊断充分的图像？
• RQ3 与传统系统相比，临床医生（护士、麻醉师、技术员）如何评价该新线圈在可用性与偏好度方面的表现？
• RQ4 该新线圈阵列在儿科临床人群中的诊断图像质量结果如何？
• RQ5 该线圈设计能否支持在需要固定或体位限制的儿科患者中实现可靠性能？

主要发现

• 16通道线圈阵列仅重480克，显著轻于传统儿科线圈。
• 在平坦和高度弯曲配置下，元件去耦均成功维持，确保了信号接收的一致性。
• 所有护士和麻醉师均偏好新线圈，表明其具有优异的可用性与舒适性。
• 技术员在96%的案例中偏好新线圈，显示出高度的临床接受度。
• 24例检查中23例（95.8%）诊断充分，置信区间为90–100%，表明诊断可靠性高。
• 该线圈阵列在大多数儿科病例中实现了完整的诊断图像质量，支持其临床应用。