In-Bore, Non-Magnetic Detection of Stretchable Coils’ Resonance Frequency

Motivation: Flexible MRI coils face frequency shifts during stretch, compression,and bending, which affects the resonance frequency and impacts signal quality. Current solutions for dynamically retuning these coils often use ferromagnetic components unsuitable for in-bore use, limiting adaptability across coil types. Goal(s): To develop a non-ferromagnetic resonance frequency detection system for MRI coils,operable within the MRI bore and adaptable up to 14T field strength. Approach: We designed a non-magnetic, superheterodyne-based receiver system to monitor coil's frequency, tested on stretchable coils at various deformations. Results: Our system measured coil resonance with a 0.0069MHz error and estimated impedance matching, marking a step toward in-bore, automatic coil tuning. Impact: This resonance detection system enables in-bore, adaptable frequency monitoring and retuning for flexible MRI coils without ferromagnetic components. It facilitates future wireless, multi-coil, and multi-nuclei applications, reducing equipment limitations and improving coil performance in high-field MRI environments.