A Modified Quadrature Birdcage Coil Incorporated With a Curved Feature for In Ovo MR Imaging

Goal:
This study presents a novel MRI coil design approach explicitly tailored for chick embryo measurements, with the primary objective of improving sensitivity and coverage.
Methods:
The limitations posed by conventional birdcage coils were addressed by introducing a curvature feature into a standard coil. The performance of the modified coil was assessed using EM simulations and experimental evaluations, which were subsequently validated using a 7 T MRI scanner. A comparative analysis was conducted against a standard quadrature low-pass birdcage coil to evaluate key factors.
Results:
The proposed coil demonstrated improved SNR and uniformity, particularly in the proximity of the end-rings. These results were consistent with the findings obtained from the simulations.
Conclusions:
The use of our innovative birdcage coil design holds promise and offers practical potential for
in ovo
studies.