Product design consultancy Wideblue has congratulated its client MR CoilTech on successfully completing the first trial of a novel high-density radiofrequency (RF) head coil technology at the University of California, Berkeley.
The head coil design utilises 16-channel transmit and 96-channel receive RF architecture. The new prototype high-density head coil combines with the NexGen 7T scanner capabilities to enable high resolution full brain imaging to support studies of the cerebral cortex at an unprecedented microscale resolution — boosting the image resolution by a factor of 20 than current 7T MRI. The project aims to provide new insights into brain disease research.
The head coil had to fit into an extremely compact space which posed challenges from a design and electronics point of view but should still allow routine scanning and offer a large visual field for the neuroscientists to carry out functional-MRI studies.
Dr Shajan Gunamony, director, MR CoilTech said: “We are delighted with the work Wideblue did on the CAD design of the prototype and with the excellent initial results. It allowed us to meet the deadline for an important abstract submission and we look forward to making more progress with this ground-breaking new product.”
Russell Overend, CEO of Glasgow-based Wideblue added: “It has been a pleasure working with MR Coiltech on this project. When completed, the project will break through barriers in the field of brain disease research by introducing unprecedented levels of detail in brain imaging which could lead to innovative new treatments.”
