Any-nucleus Distributed Active Programmable Transmit Coil

Motivation: There are 118 elements. Nearly all elements have NMR active isotopes and 39 different nuclei have been shown to have biological relevance. Despite this, most of today’s MRI is based on only one nucleus – 1H. Goal(s): To significantly reduce the cost and complexity of imaging all potential nuclei. Approach: We present the Any-nucleus Distributed Active Programmable Transmit Coil (ADAPT Coil), with fast switches integrated into the coil itself which allows it to selectively excite any nucleus using digital controls. Results: Using the ADAPT Coil, we acquired 1H, 23Na, 2H, and 13C phantom images and 1H and 23Na ex vivo images at 3T. Impact: The ADAPT Coil enables arbitrary nucleus excitation in high field MRI, significantly reducing the cost and technological barriers of clinical translation of X-nuclei research. X-nuclei benefits include improved early diagnosis and treatment evaluation for cancer, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s, and many more.