Project Description

This project aims to advance the technology of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is one of the most widely used imaging modalities in medical diagnostics and research. The variety of anatomical and functional features, processes, and diseases that can be visualised with MRI is steadily increasing. However, the technique also faces fundamental limitations with respect to its sensitivity, speed, and fidelity of the dynamic magnetic fields involved.  One effective way of addressing the sensitivity and speed limitations is parallel data acquisition with RF detector arrays. However, current rigid detector setups exploit this potential only partly and are limited in terms of ergonomics. Mechanical rigidity compromises sensitivity because is prevents adjustment to individual sizes and shapes of target anatomies. It also prevent changes in posture, such as the flexion of joints, and impairs patient comfort. Fixed detector electronics incur suboptimal performance as effective loads vary from patient to patient, taking a further toll on effective sensitivity. 

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