Stefan
Fischer1, Florian M. Meise2, Jrn Ewald2,
Torsten Hertz2, Torsten Lnneker-Lammers3, Laura M.
Schreiber1
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional
Radiology, Section of Medical Physics, University Medical Center of the
Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, RLP, Germany; 2LMT Medical
Systems GmbH, Lbeck, SH, Germany; 3Lammers Medical Technology
GmbH, Lbeck, SH, Germany
In
this study a 8+4-channel receive phased array for optimized MRI of newborns
and premature infants at 1.5T was developed. State of the art MRI coils are
mostly designed for adults and suitable to only a limited extent for
pediatric and newborn imaging. Several challenges like imaging of small
objects with high resolution and accelerated imaging to prevent motion
artifacts can be met by using an adapted phased array. It provides high
signal-to-noise-ratio and the possibility for accelerated imaging. The very
compact design allows using the 8+4-channel array system in a MR safe
incubator to minimize environmental stress.