Abstract #0266

Scott G, Overall W, Santos J, Pauly J

We present feasibility tests demonstrating that RF ablation electrodes and nitinol guide wires can be resistively coupled to an MRI receiver port to provide sensitive reception. The tissue forms part of the circuit with an external pad acting as signal ground. Placement of the ground pad will also modulate sensitivity. Phantom tests at 1.5T and 0.5T provide high SNR amplitude and phase images. In vivo imaging at 0.5T on a rabbit verified the concept for guidewire imaging.