Theory and application of array coils in MR spectroscopy

NMR in BiomedicineVolume 10, Issue 8 p. 394-410 Research Article Theory and application of array coils in MR spectroscopy Steven M. Wright, Corresponding Author Steven M. Wright Departments of Electrical Engineering and Radiology, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USADepartment of Electrical Engineering and Radiology, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USASearch for more papers by this authorLawrence L. Wald, Lawrence L. Wald Departments of Electrical Engineering and Radiology, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USA Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital and Consolidated Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USASearch for more papers by this author Steven M. Wright, Corresponding Author Steven M. Wright Departments of Electrical Engineering and Radiology, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USADepartment of Electrical Engineering and Radiology, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USASearch for more papers by this authorLawrence L. Wald, Lawrence L. Wald Departments of Electrical Engineering and Radiology, Texas A&M University, College Station TX, USA Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital and Consolidated Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 04 December 1998 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1492(199712)10:8<394::AID-NBM494>3.0.CO;2-0Citations: 216AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract The theory and application of array coils are reviewed in the context of phased array spectroscopy. The optimization of the signal-to-noise ratio from an array of coils is developed by considering the efficiency of a phased array transmit coil. This approach avoids the need to consider noise correlation, and should be useful in future considerations of transmit phased array coils for MR spectroscopy. Methods to characterize array coil performance, including fields and coupling are briefly summarized, along with methods to minimize the effects of mutual inductance. The signal-to-noise advantages of array coils over single coils are examined for both planar and cylindrical arrays. Numerical simulations of planar arrays of 2×2, 4×4 and 8×8 elements and constant overall dimension are compared to a single coil of the same size. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in sensitivity near the array coil. Although the benefits of the array decrease as a function of distance from the array, the array sensitivity never drops below that of a single coil with the same overall dimensions, or that of a single element of the array. Similar results are obtained for a sixteen element cylindrical array, which is compared to a standard quadrature birdcage coil using both computational methods and phantom measurements. The phased array techniques reviewed are demonstrated with proton spectroscopic images of the brain. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Citing Literature Volume10, Issue8December 1997Pages 394-410 RelatedInformation