Bilateral imaging using separate interleaved 3D volumes and dynamically switched multiple receive coil arrays.
Multiple receive coil arrays are often designed for unilateral imaging of anatomy having bilateral symmetry. A technique is described for extending the utility of such arrays to simultaneously image both bilaterally symmetric anatomical features. A separate, complete multiple receive coil array is placed at each location. Two separate, noncontiguous 3D volumes are then acquired, one at each location, in an interleaved fashion. High-impedance blocking networks are alternately activated and deactivated to minimize coupling between the arrays. It is demonstrated that there is no degradation in image quality when compared to a unilateral exam. A general method for analyzing the interactions between separate multiple coil arrays is presented.
Greenman
R L
RL
Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104-2649, USA.
Lenkinski
R E
RE
Schnall
M D
MD
D001940:Breast / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software