Wolfgang Loew1, Robert Thomen1, Randy Giaquinto1, Ron Pratt1, Zackary Cleveland1, Laura Walkup1, Charles Dumoulin1, and Jason Woods1
Hyperpolarized gas
MRI of lungs requires homogeneous RF excitation and high SNR for proper spin-density
mapping with low flip angles. A dual loop T/R 129Xe coil was designed
and constructed to provide flexibility for a wide range of patient sizes while maintaining
high transmit/receive homogeneity for hyperpolarized 129Xe imaging
and therefore provide high-quality images for identifying and quantifying functional
pulmonary deficiencies. Electromagnetic field simulations were used to analyze
excitation profiles.