Using endorectal
coils (ERC) in combination with external surface arrays (ESA) can improve the
SNR inside the prostate at 7.0T. When used in transmit, ERC can provide higher
B1+ levels at the expense of field uniformity. Here, we develop a novel
actively-tuned ERC that can be used both in “transmit” and “receive-only” modes
utilizing the high B1+ of the ERC and field uniformity of the ESA inside the
prostate. Transmit capabilities of this approach are investigated using
simulations in a human model. Prostate
MRI is acquired using the combined ESA+ERC approach to demonstrate the
feasibility for translational studies at 7.0T.
