Design and evaluation of a 16-channel TUS/MR head coil

Motivation: Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) offers promising non-invasive neuromodulation for treating neurological conditions. Integrating TUS with MRI requires a compatible coil that supports effective brain targeting and monitoring. Goal(s): This study aims to design a 16-channel TUS/MR head coil (CITRUS coil) enabling precise, image-guided TUS within MRI. Approach: The CITRUS coil incorporates transducer mounts and flexible coil segments, tested for TUS compatibility and MRI performance on phantom and in vivo. Results: Preliminary results show that CITRUS maintains adequate MRI quality while supporting focused TUS, suggesting feasibility for combined TUS/fMRI applications. Impact: The CITRUS coil advances TUS/fMRI capabilities, enabling focused ultrasound for neuromodulation. This development could expand clinical applications for non-invasive brain stimulation, addressing neurological and psychiatric conditions through precise, image-guided therapies.