A new RF coil for foot and ankle imaging at 7T MRI

7T Foot and ankle has been previously explored1. A four-channel Tic-Tac-Toe (TTT) transmit-only (Tx-only) array2,3 and a four-channel receive-only array were developed and combined to demonstrate the feasiability of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) foot and ankle imaging at 7T MRI. The experimental measurements of magnetic field distribution responsible for excitation (B1+) is in agreement with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations and the SAR is within the FDA safety limits for the entire lower leg and foot (peak SAR ~ 7W/Kg/10g of tissue, average SAR ~ 1W/Kg/10g of tissue per continuous average field B1+ = 1.97uT). In-vivo proton density TSE and T2DESS images were acquired.