title: X-ray compatible radiofrequency coil for magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The range of RF coils that can be used in combined X-ray/MR (XMR) systems is limited because many conventional coils contain highly X-ray attenuating materials that are visible in the X-ray images and potentially obscure patient anatomy. In this study, an X-ray compatible coil design that has minimal X-ray attenuation in the field of view (FOV) of the X-ray image is presented. In this design, aluminum is used for the loop conductor and discrete elements of the coil are eliminated from the X-ray FOV. A surface coil and an abdominal phased array coil were built using the X-ray compatible design. X-ray attenuation and MR imaging properties of the coils were evaluated and compared to conventional coils. The X-ray compatible phased array coil was used to image patients during two interventional procedures in the XMR system. The X-ray compatible coils allowed for fluoroscopic X-ray image acquisition, without degradation by the coil, while maintaining excellent MR imaging qualities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5488, USA. vrieke@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rieke
authors.forename: Arundhuti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.forename: Bruce L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Greig
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pauly
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fahrig
authors.forename: Norbert J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Pelc
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Butts
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum