Radiofrequency Coils for Low-Field (0.18–0.55 T) Magnetic Resonance Scanners: Experience from a Research Lab–Manufacturing Companies Cooperation

Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become increasingly popular due to cost reduction, artifact minimization, use for interventional radiology, and a better safety profile. The different applications of low-field systems are particularly wide (muscle–skeletal, cardiac, neuro, small animals, food science, as hybrid scanner hyperthermia, in radiology radiotherapy). scanners produce lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) images with respect medium- high-field scanners. Thus, particular attention must be paid the minimization radiofrequency (RF) coil losses compared sample noise. Following short description design simulation methods (magnetostatic full-wave), this paper we will describe how choice electrical parameters (such conductor geometry capacitor quality) affects coil’s overall performance terms quality factor Q, between unloaded loaded sensitivity. Subsequently, summarize work carried out at our electromagnetic laboratory collaboration MR-manufacturing companies field RF design, building, testing 0.18–0.55 T (MR) clinical by classifying them surface-, volume-, phased-array coils.