Abstract #0886

Carr K, Yung A, Kozlowski P

A 4-element phased array was compared with an inductively coupled implantable coil system for imaging of rat spinal cord at 7T. Ex vivo gradient echo FLASH images on the same rat were acquired using both coil systems, achieving adequate SNR in the spinal cord at 100 micron spatial resolution at reasonable imaging times. The implantable coil generated 2.4 times more SNR than the phased array. The phased array is a good choice if noninvasiveness and long-term reliability are desired, whereas the implantable coil can be used if maximal SNR is critical.