title: A novel multi-segment surface coil for neuro-functional magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The construction of two novel mult-segment (MS) resonators are described. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and B1 homogeneity of the coils are compared with that of a surface coil and a standard quadrature head coil. The images obtained with the MS designs revealed a surface coil-like fall-off in signal with depth. The SNR offered by MS coils was found to be better than the head coil at depths less than approximately 6 cm. Bilateral motor cortex activation on normal subjects performing finger tapping tasks is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rajan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity