title: Short planar gradient coils for MR microscopy using concentric return paths.
abstract: The aim of this work is to design a set of gradient coils with an optimal geometry for magnetic resonance microscopy studies. Designs for a three-axis gradient coil system particularly suited for studies with small radiofrequency coils are presented. The novel geometry involves a planar section with concentric return paths to keep the coil short. Reduction of the external field has been attempted by varying the positions of the return paths using a simulated annealing algorithm. A biplanar version of x- and z-directed prototype gradients was built and tested. A 2D-MR image of a grid phantom has been obtained on a 7-T MR instrument to demonstrate the theory. A three-axis set used as a surface gradient set has also been built and used to obtain high-resolution MR images.
authors.affiliation: Pittsburgh NMR Center for Biomedical Research and Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Chien
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008280:Magnetics; D008433:Mathematics; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging