A study of the applicability of high temperature superconducting RF receive coils to the MRI industry

This paper discusses the results of Booz/spl middot/Allen and Hamilton's investigation of the market acceptance issues which would influence the adoption of high temperature superconducting (HTS) receiver coils for low-field MRI equipment. While HTS receivers could bring distinct advantages in image quality or imaging time, the changing healthcare marketplace, especially for high-end diagnostic imaging equipment, makes adoption problematic. In order to achieve commercial acceptance, HTS coils would have to enable new capabilities or applications, while not violating the marketplace requirements of ease of use, safety, and high reliability.