Abstract #2583

Driesel W, Wetzel T, Mildner T, Wiggins C, Mller H

We describe a novel four-channel transceiver array helmet coil based on strip-line technology for all MRI and MRS applications of the human brain at 3 T. Due to the symmetry of the assembly, a high degree of circularly polarized RF is obtained within the entire brain in the transmit mode. Investigations of the RF distribution indicated a birdcage-like B1 profile in axial slices and a moderate gradient along the z-axis. The design may be exploited for parallel imaging on scanners where no body coil is available.