Minimizing electric fields and increasing peripheral nerve stimulation thresholds using a body gradient array coil.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the performance of gradient array coils in minimizing switched-gradient-induced electric fields (E-fields) and improving peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) thresholds while generating gradient fields with adjustable linearity across customizable regions of linearity (ROLs). METHODS: A body gradient array coil is used to reduce the induced E-fields on the surface of a body model by modulating applied currents. This is achieved by performing an optimization problem with the peak E-field as the objective function and current amplitudes as unknown variables. Coil dimensions and winding patterns are fixed throughout the optimization, whereas other engineering metrics remain adjustable. Various scenarios are explored by manipulating adjustable parameters. RESULTS: The array design consistently yields lower E-fields and higher PNS thresholds across all scenarios compared with a conventional coil. When the gradient array coil generates target gradient fields within a 44-cm-diameter spherical ROL, the maximum E-field is reduced by 10%, 18%, and 61% for the X, Y, and Z gradients, respectively. Transitioning to a smaller ROL (24 cm) and relaxing the gradient linearity error results in further E-field reductions. In oblique gradients, the array coil demonstrates the most substantial reduction of 40% in the Z-Y direction. Among the investigated scenarios, the most significant increase of 4.3-fold is observed in the PNS thresholds. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that gradient array coils offer a promising pathway toward achieving high-performance gradient coils regarding gradient strength, slew rate, and PNS thresholds, especially in scenarios in which linear magnetic fields are required within specific target regions.

Nonlinear droop compensation for current waveforms in MRI gradient systems.

PURPOSE: Providing accurate gradient currents is challenging due to the gradient chain nonlinearities, arising from gradient power amplifiers and power supply stages. This work introduces a new characterization approach that takes the amplifier and power supply into account, resulting in a nonlinear model that compensates for the current droop. METHODS: The gradient power amplifier and power supply stage were characterized by a modified state-space averaging technique. The resulting nonlinear model was inverted and used in feedforward to control the gradient coil current. A custom-built two-channel z-gradient coil was driven by high-switching (1 MHz), low-cost amplifiers (<$200) using linear and nonlinear controllers. High-resolution (<80 ps) pulse-width-modulation signals were used to drive the amplifiers. MRI experiments were performed to validate the nonlinear controller's effectiveness. RESULTS: The simulation results validated the functionality of the state-space averaging method in characterizing the gradient system. The performance of linear and nonlinear controllers in generating a trapezoidal current waveform was compared in simulations and experiments. The integral errors between the desired waveform and waveforms generated by linear and nonlinear controllers were 1.9% and 0.13%, respectively, confirming the capability of the nonlinear controller to compensate for the current droop. Phantom images validated the nonlinear controller's ability to correct droop-induced distortions. CONCLUSION: Benchtop measurements and MRI experiments demonstrated that the proposed nonlinear characterization and digitally implemented feedforward controller could drive gradient coils with droop-free current waveforms (without a feedback loop). In experiments, the nonlinear controller outperformed the linear controller by a 14-fold reduction in the integral error of a test waveform.