Oliver Kraff1,2, Stephan Orzada1,2,
Philipp Dammann1,3, Marc Schlamann1,2, Mark E. Ladd1,2,
Harald H. Quick1,4, Andreas K. Bitz1,2
1Erwin L. Hahn Institute for
MRI, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; 2Department of
Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology & Neuroradiology, University
Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; 3Clinic for Neurosurgery,
University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; 4Institute of Medical
Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
The feasibility of 7 Tesla MRI of the human spine has recently been demonstrated. However, for a clinical assessment, RF coils need further optimization. In this study, two established transmit/receive RF coil concepts were investigated: a 5-channel stripline array and an 8-channel loop array. Additionally, a combination of these two arrays with separated transmit and receive channels was assessed. Coil characterization was performed in vivo, in phantom measurements as well as using numerical simulations. This study may serve as a basis for further optimization of RF coils for MRI of the human spine at 7 Tesla.