Flexible Copper Foil Sheet Receive Coil Array for MRI

Abstract

This study presents the development and evaluation of a 16-channel general-purpose MRI coil array constructed using 50-micron copper foil sheets. The coils were rapidly manufactured using a die cut process and assembled into a square-shaped array designed for flexible, high-performance imaging. The copper foil coil demonstrated superior signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), lower noise correlation, and better parallel imaging performance compared to a commercially available 16-channel flexible coil. Phantom testing showed a 17-20% improvement in SNR with the copper foil coil, while noise correlation matrices indicated reduced interference between coil elements. In vivo testing further validated the coil’s performance, with higher SNR and enhanced image quality observed in axial and sagittal scans. The use of copper foil sheets, which are widely available and cost-effective, enabled rapid production of the coils without compromising quality. This approach offers significant advantages over existing flexible coil technologies that rely on more complex and expensive materials, such as copper threads and liquid metal. The ability to quickly tailor these coils for specific patient needs makes them particularly suitable for clinical applications where flexibility and speed are essential. The results of this study suggest that copper foil-based coils represent a promising solution for improving the accessibility, adaptability, and performance of MRI technology in a cost-effective manner.