Quasi-static multi-domain inverse boundary element method for MRI coil design with minimum induced E-field

Boundary element methods represent a valuable approach for designing MRI gradient coils. The temporally varying magnetic fields produced by gradient coils induce electric currents in conducting tissues and so the exposure of human subjects to these magnetic fields has become a safety concern, especially with the increase in the strength of the field gradients used in MRI. Here we extend the boundary element method presented in Cobos Sanchez et al. (2010) [4], for the design of coils that minimize the electric field induced in prescribed multi-compartment volume conductor made of different homogeneous sub-domains. The multi-domain E-coil method is illustrated with the design of cylindrical head gradient coils, whose performance is numerically compared to that produced by conventional coils and single domain E-coils.