14 research outputs found
Characterization of Flexible RF Microcoil Dedicated to Surface Mri
In Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), to achieve sufficient Signal to Noise
Ratio (SNR), the electrical performance of the RF coil is critical. We
developed a device (microcoil) based on the original concept of monolithic
resonator. This paper presents the used fabrication process based on
micromoulding. The dielectric substrates are flexible thin films of polymer,
which allow the microcoil to be form fitted to none-plane surface. Electrical
characterizations of the RF coils are first performed and results are compared
to the attempted values. Proton MRI of a saline phantom using a flexible RF
coil of 15 mm in diameter is performed. When the coil is conformed to the
phantom surface, a SNR gain up to 2 is achieved as compared to identical but
planar RF coil. Finally, the flexible coil is used in vivo to perform MRI with
high spatial resolution on a mouse using a small animal dedicated scanner
operating at in a 2.35 T.Comment: Submitted on behalf of TIMA Editions
(http://irevues.inist.fr/tima-editions
Hardware considerations for preclinical magnetic resonance of the kidney
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive imaging technology that offers unparalleled anatomical and functional detail, along with diagnostic sensitivity. MRI is suitable for longitudinal studies due to the lack of exposure to ionizing radiation. Before undertaking preclinical MRI investigations of the kidney, the appropriate MRI hardware should be carefully chosen to balance the competing demands of image quality, spatial resolution, and imaging speed, tailored to the specific scientific objectives of the investigation. Here we describe the equipment needed to perform renal MRI in rodents, with the aim to guide the appropriate hardware selection to meet the needs of renal MRI applications.This publication is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This chapter on hardware considerations for renal MRI in small animals is complemented by two separate publications describing the experimental procedure and data analysis