Modified birdcage coils for targeted imaging

The design of a radiofrequency coil of U-shaped geometry, specifically intended to image individual knuckle joints of the hand, has been investigated. The coil geometry is that of a “split and opened” birdcage coll. The optimum leg positions for such a U-shaped coil have been theoretically predicted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Magnetic resonance imaging 1995, Vol.13 (7), p.1003-1012
Main Authors: Gasson, Julia, Summers, Ian R., Fry, Martin E., Vennart, William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthritis - diagnosis
Biological and medical sciences
Birdcage coil
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Equipment Design
Humans
Knuckle
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - instrumentation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
MCP
Medical sciences
Metacarpophalangeal Joint - anatomy & histology
MRI
Osteoarthritis
Radiofrequency coil
Signal-to-noise
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Summary:The design of a radiofrequency coil of U-shaped geometry, specifically intended to image individual knuckle joints of the hand, has been investigated. The coil geometry is that of a “split and opened” birdcage coll. The optimum leg positions for such a U-shaped coil have been theoretically predicted using a novel technique that considers both the signal-to-noise ratio and the homogeneity of the field-of-view. Two particular coils of this type have been constructed, each optimum for a different size of image space and assuming a different source of image noise (sampledominated or coil-dominated). The experimentally determined radiofrequency fields produced by the coils correspond well to theory. Either coil can be used to obtain good-quality, high-resolution (130 μm × 130 μm in-plane) images in vivo of the first, second, or fifth metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand, sites of particular interest in the study of arthritis.
ISSN:0730-725X
1873-5894
DOI:10.1016/0730-725X(95)02003-C