title: A 16-channel dual-row transmit array in combination with a 31-element receive array for human brain imaging at 9.4 T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Arranging transmit array elements in multiple rows provides an additional degree of freedom to correct B1 (+) field inhomogeneities and to achieve whole-brain excitation at ultrahigh field strengths. Receive arrays shaped to the contours of the anatomy increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the image. In this work, the advantages offered by the transmit and receive array techniques are combined for human brain imaging at 9.4 T.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 16-element dual-row transmit array and a 31-element receive array were developed. Based on an accurate numerical model of the transmit array, the deposited power was calculated for different head sizes and positions. The influence of the receive array on the transmit field was characterized. Parallel imaging performance and signal-to-noise ratio of the receive array were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, a two fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio was observed in the whole-brain volume when compared with a 16-channel elliptic microstrip transceiver array. The benefits of combining the two arrays, B1 (+) shimming in three directions and high receive sensitivity, are demonstrated with high-resolution in vivo images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dual-row transmit array provides whole-brain coverage at 9.4 T, which, in combination with the helmet-shaped receive array, is a valuable radio frequency configuration for ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain.
authors.affiliation: High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shajan
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozlov
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheffler
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pohmann
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014159:Transducers