Simulation Verification of SNR and Parallel Imaging Improvements by ICE-Decoupled Loop Array in MRI

Transmit/receive L/C loop arrays with the induced current elimination (ICE) or magnetic wall decoupling method have shown high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and excellent parallel imaging ability for magnetic resonance imaging at ultrahigh fields, e.g., 7 T. In this study, we aim to numerically analyze the performance of an eight-channel ICE-decoupled loop array at 7 T. Three-dimensional electromagnetic (EM) and radiofrequency circuit co-simulation approach was employed. The values of all capacitors were obtained by optimizing the S-parameters of all coil elements. The EM simulation was used to accurately model the coil structure, the phantom and the excitation fields. All coil elements were well matched to 50 Ω and the isolation between any two coil elements was better −15 dB. The simulated S-parameters were consistent with the experimental results, indicating the simulation results were reliable. Compared with the conventional capacitively decoupled array, the ICE-decoupled array had higher sensitivity at the peripheral areas of the imaging subjects due to the shielding effect of the decoupling loops. The increased receive sensitivity resulted in an improvement of signal intensity and SNR for the ICE-decoupled array.