Development of a New High-Performance PatLoc Gradient System for Small-Animal Imaging

Stphanie Ohrel¹, Heinrich Lehr¹, Frdric Jaspard², Peter Ullmann¹, Hans Post¹

The experimental feasibility of PatLoc imaging at small-animal scale has been demonstrated in several studies. However, the limited performance provided by the PatLoc gradient prototype involved led to experimental restrictions like long echo and repetition times. This has been addressed in this study by developing a more efficient PatLoc gradient coil which can be driven with higher currents. Initial measurements demonstrate a twofold-increased efficiency of the new design which leads, together with the extended current limits, to a roughly tenfold-enhanced gradient strength. Furthermore, gradient-echo imaging could be performed with high quality using the new PatLoc gradient for in-plane spatial encoding.