An improved intraoral transverse loop coil design for high-resolution dental MRI

Purpose: To improve intraoral transverse loop coil design for high-resolution dental MRI. Methods: The transverse intraoral loop coil (tLoop) was modified (mtLoop) by overlapping the feed port conductors, bending the posterior section, introducing a parallel plate capacitor, optimizing the insulation thickness, and using it in receive-only mode. In addition, an MR-silent insulation was introduced. The performances of the mtLoop and tLoop coils were compared in terms of sensitivity, image SNR, and eddy currents using electromagnetic simulations and MRI measurements at 3T. Results: The receive-only mode of the mtLoop increases the sensitivity at the apices of the roots, and the overlapped feed port design eliminated signal voids along the incisors. The bent posterior section with the parallel plate capacitor reduced the unwanted signal of the tongue by a factor of 2.3 in the selected region off interest and lowered the eddy currents by 10%. The proposed new coil provided higher SNR by elevenfold and 2.5-fold at the incisors and apices of the molar roots within the selected regions of interest, respectively, in the experiments, as well as improved comfort. Optimal insulation thickness was determined as 1 mm. With the mtLoop, a (250 μm)³ isotropic resolution of the dental arch could be realized using a UTE sequence within 2 min total acquisition time. A T₂-SPACE protocol with (350 μm)² in-plane resolution was also demonstrated. Conclusion: The proposed new coil offers higher SNR at the incisors and apices of the molar roots, less unwanted signals from tongue, lower eddy currents, and improved patient comfort.