Abstract #2610

Ldeke K, Leussler C, Zhai Z, DeMeester G, Morich M

When using a shielded birdcage 7T T/R brain coil for brain imaging, some unwanted signals and loading comes from the shoulders outside the coil. This can be attributed to the increased coupling and power loss to the shoulders at 298MHz. To reduce the shoulder effect and increase SNR, a shoulder shield, which can be treated as the extension of the RF shield in the radial direction, is introduced. A shoulder shield with optimal openness and position can increase coil efficiency without increasing head SAR.