Wesley M. Skeffington1, Franco M.
Martinez-Seantiesteban2, Bruce D. Collick3, Andrew
Alejski2, Brian K. Rutt4, Luis J. Garces1,
Paul M. Szczesny1
1GE Global Research,
Niskayuna, NY, United States; 2Robarts Research Institute,
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; 3GE
Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, United States; 4Radiology Department,
Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
Insert or specialty gradient coils enhance the capabilities of whole-body MRI systems. Use of the systems gradient amplifiers without modification on insert coils can result in poor waveform fidelity, leading to reduced image quality. A method for using direct impedance measurements of a gradient coil to program a digitally controlled amplifier for operating on both whole-body and specialty gradient coils is presented. Use of the measured coil model resulted in a 93% reduction in coil current error and improved image quality.