Low-Cost and Detunable Wireless Resonator Glasses for Enhanced Eye MRI with Concurrent High-Quality Whole Brain MRI
Abstract
Purpose: To develop and evaluate a wearable wireless resonator glasses design that enhances eye MRI signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) without compromising whole-brain image quality at 7 T. Methods: The device integrates two detunable LC loop resonators into a lightweight, 3D-printed frame positioned near the eyes. The resonators passively couple to a standard 2Tx/32Rx head coil without hardware modifications. Bench tests assessed tuning, isolation, and detuning performance. B1$^+$ maps were measured in a head/shoulder phantom, and SNR maps were obtained in both phantom and in vivo experiments. Results: Bench measurements confirmed accurate tuning, strong inter-element isolation, and effective passive detuning. Phantom B1$^+$ mapping showed negligible differences between configurations with and without the resonators. Phantom and in vivo imaging demonstrated up to about a 3-fold SNR gain in the eye region, with no measurable SNR loss in the brain. Conclusion: The wireless resonator glasses provide a low-cost, easy-to-use solution that improves ocular SNR while preserving whole-brain image quality, enabling both dedicated eye MRI and simultaneous eye-brain imaging at ultrahigh field.