SAR Efficient Imaging for Patients with Deep Brain Electrodes at 3 Tesla: Coil Length Matters

Motivation: To improve the design of pTx head coils intended to produce uniform RF fields while controlling local SAR levels for patients with DBS implants. Goal(s): To evaluate the effect of extended coil length and increased number of rows on performance using simulations. Approach: Comparison of SAR and RF homogeneity in 3-row and 4-row pTx head coil configurations using FDTD simulations on a human head model with an implanted DBS lead. Results: The 4-row coil offered the best SAR control for the whole brain, with length having a greater impact on local SAR than the number of rows. Impact: The research indicates that the length of multi-row pTx coils affects local SAR in MRI for DBS patients, enhancing efficiency and safety, and broadening imaging possibilities, potentially advancing MRI-compatible devices and personalized imaging techniques.