Transmit Receive RF Resonator Optimization at 7 T MRI System

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging has a potential to produce clear anatomical as well as functional images of human body. However, the ability to diagnose is limited by signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the resolution of current medical systems. To remove the challenges prevalent due to the use of high field scanners, dedicated radio frequency coils are used. Transverse electromagnetic coils have an advantage of providing homogeneous magnetic field throughout the region but with low signal to noise ratio while surface coils have an advantage of providing higher signal to noise ratio but with low homogeneity. This research combines both the advantage into one by utilizing transmit only transverse electromagnetic radio frequency coils (8 channel) along with receive only surface coils (by varying the number) for better imaging of brain. A 7 Tesla 32-channel close fitting helmet shaped phased-array surface coils along with the combination of 8 channel transmit only transverse electromagnetic coils provided good homogeneity as well as significant SNR improvements throughout the human brain.