An MR Transceive Phased Array Designed for Spinal Cord Imaging at 3 Tesla: Preliminary Investigations of Spinal Cord Imaging at 3 T

Abstract

A 3 Tesla transceive phased array has been developed that demonstrates the feasibility of spinal cord imaging at high fields. The phased array includes transmit/receive switches, a power distribution network, and 4 coil elements arranged for specific anatomies. Images demonstrating anatomy of the spinal cord and posterior spine were presented. Simulations were performed to predict B(1) field and SAR, with SAR values found to be within Food and Drug Administration limits for the pulse sequences that were used.