USC Researchers Develop 3D-Printable MRI Coils for Low Cost Improved Dynamic Imaging - USC Viterbi | School of Engineering

Researchers from USC Khan lab 3D printing in the lab. Left to Right: Félix Muñoz, Yasser Khan, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam. (Photo Credit: USC Khan Lab)

Diseases affecting moving organs, such as the heart and lungs, require dynamic imaging rather than static snapshots, making advanced MRI screening a critical first step toward early diagnosis and treatment.

Yet many conditions still go undetected. Why?

The sensors in MRI scanners are expensive, rigid, and often unable to conform closely to the anatomy. These limitations reduce signal quality and flexibility, making dynamic MRI harder to perform reliably and more difficult to access.

USC researchers, Yasser Khan and Krishna Nayak teamed up to develop a new silver-ink based MRI coil that costs about $30 in consumable materials, compared with at least thousands of dollars for industry-standard coils, and delivers up to four times higher image resolution. The coils can also be 3D printed in real time in under 10 minutes, enabling patient-specific customization.