Method of utilization of high dielectric constant (hdc) materials for reducing sar and enhancing snr in mri

Abstract

Provided are a spectroscopic method and spectroscopic device for analyzing a region. Layers or coats of materials with high dielectric constant or permittivity with very low conductivity are inserted in between radiofrequency (RF) coil or coil's conductive elements and the sample to enhance the signal to noise ratio (SNR), improve image contrast, and reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR) of magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance spectroscopy instruments. The embodiments of the present invention can be used as an auxiliary device to the standard pre-constructed RF coils or incorporated with RF coil constructions for enhancing RF coil performances in both transmission and reception.

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         20 . An analytical spectroscopic device, the device adapted for analyzing a region and comprising:
 a high dielectric material configured to surround the region to be analyzed;   a radiofrequency coil and the high dielectric constant material in an arrangement such that the radiofrequency coil is configured to apply a radiofrequency field to the region through the high dielectric constant material; and   a computer configured to gather information about the region resulting from application of the radiofrequency field to the region;   wherein the radiofrequency field includes an electric field and a radiofrequency magnetic field, the radiofrequency magnetic field generated by the electric field;   wherein the arrangement of the radiofrequency coil with respect to the high dielectric constant material results in the radiofrequency magnetic field extending through the region and increases the signal to noise ratio of all the information gathered.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the high dielectric constant material conforms to body parts of a mammal. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the high dielectric constant material is a radiofrequency field concentrator. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the radiofrequency coil is a phase array coil. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the high dielectric material increases an efficiency of delivery of the radiofrequency field to the region as compared to a device not including the high dielectric material. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the high dielectric material increases the radiofrequency field in the region with decreased input current in the radiofrequency coil as compared to a device not including the high dielectric material. 
     
     
         26 . An analytical spectroscopic device, the device adapted for analyzing a region and comprising:
 an imaging device configured to apply a radiofrequency field to the region to be analyzed;   a high dielectric constant material arranged and disposed between the imaging device and the region to be analyzed; and   a computer configured to gather information about the region resulting from application of the radiofrequency field to the region;   wherein the high dielectric constant material increases a signal to noise ratio of the information gathered.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material includes a dielectric constant value that is higher than a dielectric constant value of a sample in the region. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material decreases a radiation loss from the imaging device as compared to a device not including the high dielectric material. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material is selected from the group consisting of ceramics, water, deuterium-based jell, water-based jell, suspensions including dielectric additives, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material is a pad. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material conforms to body parts of a mammal. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the high dielectric constant material comprises a helmet conforming to at least a portion of a human head. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material includes a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material between the imaging device and the region to be analyzed increases the signal to noise ratio of the information gathered with decreased radiofrequency field power as compared to a device not including the high dielectric constant material. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the radiofrequency field power is decreased by at least about 50%. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the signal to noise ratio is increased by at least about 27%. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material includes an adjustable volume. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the high dielectric constant material is integral with the imaging device. 
     
     
         39 . An article adapted for use with an imaging device, the article comprising:
 a high dielectric constant material; and   a geometry conforming to body parts of a mammal;   wherein the high dielectric constant material is arranged and disposed to increase a signal to noise ratio of information gathered from a region during application of a radiofrequency field.