The "Loopole" Antenna: A Hybrid Coil Combining Loop and Electric Dipole Properties for Ultra-High-Field MRI.

PURPOSE: To revisit the "loopole," an unusual coil topology whose unbalanced current distribution captures both loop and electric dipole properties, which can be advantageous in ultra-high-field MRI. METHODS: Loopole coils were built by deliberately breaking the capacitor symmetry of traditional loop coils. The corresponding current distribution, transmit efficiency, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were evaluated in simulation and experiments in comparison to those of loops and electric dipoles at 7 T (297 MHz). RESULTS: The loopole coil exhibited a hybrid current pattern, comprising features of both loops and electric dipole current patterns. Depending on the orientation relative to B0, the loopole demonstrated significant performance boost in either the transmit efficiency or SNR at the center of a dielectric sample when compared to a traditional loop. Modest improvements were observed when compared to an electric dipole. CONCLUSION: The loopole can achieve high performance by supporting both divergence-free and curl-free current patterns, which are both significant contributors to the ultimate intrinsic performance at ultra-high field. While electric dipoles exhibit similar hybrid properties, loopoles maintain the engineering advantages of loops, such as geometric decoupling and reduced resonance frequency dependence on sample loading.

A rigid, stand-off hybrid dipole, and birdcage coil array for 7 T body imaging.

PURPOSE: To design a robust and patient friendly radiofrequency coil array (8-channel transmit and 16-channel receive) for cross-sectional body imaging at 7 T, and to improve our understanding of the combination of dipole and loop like elements for ultra high field strengths. METHODS: The hybrid coil array was optimized in eletromagnetic simulations. Considered array candidates were the dipole, loop and birdcage array. The winning design was constructed and the signal-to-noise (SNR) was compared to a close fitting array at 3 T. Transmit and receive properties for different body sizes were assessed, and multi-parametric maps were acquired with the Plug-and-Play MRF method. RESULTS: The winning design consists of a dipole array for transceive combined with a birdcage array for receive only. The central SNR improved by a factor of 3 as compared to a 3 T system with a local receive array. A transmit efficiency between 2.4 and 3.9 µT/kW, a specific absorption rate efficiency of 0.25 to 0.53 µT/W/kg, and a high SNR was achieved in the center for the targeted patient population. CONCLUSION: The constructed coil array is easy to handle, safe, and patient friendly, allowing further development of abdominal imaging at 7 T. Quantitative MRI in the abdomen is possible with Plug-and-Play MRF using the designed coil array. Magn Reson Med 80:822-832, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

A method to assess the loss of a dipole antenna for ultra-high-field MRI.

PURPOSE: To describe a new bench measurement based on quality (Q) factors to estimate the coil noise relative to the sample noise of dipole antennas at 7 T. METHODS: Placing a dipole antenna close to a highly conductive sample surrogate (HCSS) greatly reduces radiation loss, and using QHCSS gives a more accurate estimate of coil resistance than Qunloaded . Instead of using the ratio of unloaded and sample-loaded Q factors, the ratio of HCSS-loaded and sample-loaded Q factors should be used at ultra-high fields. A series of simulations were carried out to analyze the power budget of sample-loaded or HCSS-loaded dipole antennas. Two prototype dipole antennas were also constructed for bench measurements to validate the simulations. RESULTS: Simulations showed that radiation loss was suppressed when the dipole antenna was HCSS-loaded, and coil loss was largely the same as when the dipole was loaded by the sample. Bench measurements also showed good alignment with simulations. CONCLUSIONS: Using the ratio QHCSS /Qloaded gives a good estimate of the coil loss for dipole antennas at 7 T, and provides a convenient bench measurement to predict the body noise dominance of dipole antenna designs. The new approach also applies to conventional surface loop coils at ultra-high fields. Magn Reson Med 79:1773-1780, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

A highly decoupled transmit-receive array design with triangular elements at 7T.

PURPOSE: Transmit arrays are essential tools for various RF shimming or parallel excitation techniques at 7T. Here we present an array design with triangular coils to improve diversity in the B1 profiles in the longitudinal (z) direction and allow for next-nearest neighbor decoupling. METHODS: Two cylindrical 8-channel arrays having the same length and diameter, 1 of triangular coils and the other of rectangular coils, were constructed and compared in phantom imaging experiments using measures of excitation distribution for a variety of RF shim settings and geometry factor maps for different accelerations on different planes. RESULTS: Coupling between elements was -20 dB or better for all triangular coil pairs, but worse than -12 dB for several of the rectangular coil pairs. Both coils could produce adequate shims on a central transverse plane, but the same shim produced worse results off center for the triangular coil array than for the rectangular coil array. Compared to the rectangular coil array, the maximum geometry factor for the triangular coil array was reduced by a factor of 13.1 when using a 2-fold acceleration in the z-direction. CONCLUSION: An array design with triangular coils provides effective decoupling mechanisms for nearest and next-nearest neighboring elements, as well as diversity in B1 profiles along the z-direction, although this also means that individual slices must be shimmed separately. This design is well suited for parallel transmit applications while also having high receive sensitivity.

Approaching ultimate intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio with loop and dipole antennas.

PURPOSE: Previous work with body-size objects suggested that loops are optimal MR detectors at low fields, whereas electric dipoles are required to maximize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at ultrahigh fields ( ≥ 7 T). Here we investigated how many loops and/or dipoles are needed to approach the ultimate intrinsic SNR (UISNR) at various field strengths. METHODS: We calculated the UISNR inside dielectric cylinders mimicking different anatomical regions. We assessed the performance of various arrays with respect to the UISNR. We validated our results by comparing simulated and experimental coil performance maps. RESULTS: Arrays with an increasing number of loops can rapidly approach the UISNR at fields up to 3 T, but are suboptimal at ultrahigh fields for body-size objects. The opposite is true for dipole arrays. At 7 T and above, 16 dipoles provide considerably larger central SNR than any possible loop array, and minimal g factor penalty for parallel imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Electric dipoles can be advantageous at ultrahigh fields because they can produce both curl-free and divergence-free currents, whereas loops are limited to divergence-free contributions only. Combining loops and dipoles may be optimal for body imaging at 3 T, whereas arrays of loops or dipoles alone may perform better at lower or higher field strengths, respectively. Magn Reson Med 79:1789-1803, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Approaching ultimate intrinsic specific absorption rate in radiofrequency shimming using high-permittivity materials at 7 Tesla.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of integrated high-permittivity materials (HPMs) on excitation homogeneity and global specific absorption rate (SAR) for transmit arrays at 7T. METHODS: A rapid electrodynamic simulation framework was used to calculate L-curves associated with excitation of a uniform 2D profile in a dielectric sphere. We used ultimate intrinsic SAR as an absolute performance reference to compare different transmit arrays in the presence and absence of a layer of HPM. We investigated the optimal permittivity for the HPM as a function of its thickness, the sample size, and the number of array elements. RESULTS: Adding a layer of HPM can improve the performance of a 24-element array to match that of a 48-element array without HPM, whereas a 48-element array with HPM can perform as well as a 64-element array without HPM. Optimal relative permittivity values changed based on sample and coil geometry, but were always within a range obtainable with readily available materials (εr = 100-200). CONCLUSION: Integration of HPMs could be a practical method to improve RF shimming performance, alternative to increasing the number of coils. The proposed simulation framework could be used to explore the design of novel transmit arrays for head imaging at ultra-high field strength. Magn Reson Med 80:391-399, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

An eight-channel sodium/proton coil for brain MRI at 3 T.

The purpose of this work is to illustrate a new coil decoupling strategy and its application to a transmit/receive sodium/proton phased array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human brain. We implemented an array of eight triangular coils that encircled the head. The ensemble of coils was arranged to form a modified degenerate mode birdcage whose eight shared rungs were offset from the z-axis at interleaved angles of ±30°. This key geometric modification resulted in triangular elements whose vertices were shared between next-nearest neighbors, which provided a convenient location for counter-wound decoupling inductors, whilst nearest-neighbor decoupling was addressed with shared capacitors along the rungs. This decoupling strategy alleviated the strong interaction that is characteristic of array coils at low frequency (32.6 MHz in this case) and allowed the coil to operate efficiently in transceive mode. The sodium array provided a 1.6-fold signal-to-noise ratio advantage over a dual-nuclei birdcage coil in the center of the head and up to 2.3-fold gain in the periphery. The array enabled sodium MRI of the brain with 5-mm isotropic resolution in approximately 13 min, thus helping to overcome low sodium MR sensitivity and improving quantification in neurological studies. An eight-channel proton array was integrated into the sodium array to enable anatomical imaging.

Accelerated and motion-robust in vivo T2 mapping from radially undersampled data using bloch-simulation-based iterative reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Development of a quantitative transverse relaxation time (T2)-mapping platform that operates at clinically feasible timescales by employing advanced image reconstruction of radially undersampled multi spin-echo (MSE) datasets. METHODS: Data was acquired on phantom and in vivo at 3 Tesla using MSE protocols employing radial k-space sampling trajectories. In order to overcome the nontrivial spin evolution associated with MSE protocols, a numerical signal model was precalculated based on Bloch simulations of the actual pulse-sequence scheme used in the acquisition process. This signal model was subsequently incorporated into an iterative model-based image reconstruction process, producing T2 and proton-density maps. RESULTS: T2 maps of phantom and in vivo brain were successfully constructed, closely matching values produced by a single spin-echo reference scan. High-resolution mapping was also performed for the spinal cord in vivo, differentiating the underlying gray/white matter morphology. CONCLUSION: The presented MSE data-processing framework offers reliable mapping of T2 relaxation values in a ∼ 5-minute timescale, free of user- and scanner-dependent variations. The use of radial k-space sampling provides further advantages in the form of high immunity to irregular physiological motion, as well as enhanced spatial resolutions, owing to its inherent ability to perform alias-free limited field-of-view imaging.

A flexible nested sodium and proton coil array with wideband matching for knee cartilage MRI at 3T.

PURPOSE: We describe a 2 × 6 channel sodium/proton array for knee MRI at 3T. Multielement coil arrays are desirable because of well-known signal-to-noise ratio advantages over volume and single-element coils. However, low tissue-coil coupling that is characteristic of coils operating at low frequency can make the potential gains from a phased array difficult to realize. METHODS: The issue of low tissue-coil coupling in the developed six-channel sodium receive array was addressed by implementing 1) a mechanically flexible former to minimize the coil-to-tissue distance and reduce the overall diameter of the array and 2) a wideband matching scheme that counteracts preamplifier noise degradation caused by coil coupling and a high-quality factor. The sodium array was complemented with a nested proton array to enable standard MRI. RESULTS: The wideband matching scheme and tight-fitting mechanical design contributed to >30% central signal-to-noise ratio gain on the sodium module over a mononuclear sodium birdcage coil, and the performance of the proton module was sufficient for clinical imaging. CONCLUSION: We expect the strategies presented in this study to be generally relevant in high-density receive arrays, particularly in x-nuclei or small animal applications. Magn Reson Med 76:1325-1334, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-performance radiofrequency coils for (23)Na MRI: brain and musculoskeletal applications.

(23)Na RF coil design for brain and MSK applications presents a number of challenges, including poor coil loading for arrays of small coils and SNR penalties associated with providing (1)H capability with the same coil. The basics of RF coil design are described, as well as a review of historical approaches to dual tuning. There follows a review of published high performance coil designs for MSK and brain imaging. Several coil designs have been demonstrated at 7T and 3T which incorporate close-fitting receive arrays and in some cases design features which provide (1)H imaging with little penalty to (23)Na sensitivity. The "nested coplanar loop" approach is examined, in which small transmit-receive (1)H elements are placed within each (23)Na loop, presenting only a small perturbation to (23)Na performance and minimizing RF shielding issues. Other designs incorporating transmit-receive arrays for (23)Na and (1)H are discussed including a 9.4 T (23)Na/(1)H brain coil. Great gains in (23)Na SNR have been made with many of these designs, but simultaneously achieving high performance for 1H remains elusive.

Dependence of B1+ and B1- Field Patterns of Surface Coils on the Electrical Properties of the Sample and the MR Operating Frequency.

In high field MRI, the spatial distribution of the radiofrequency magnetic ( B1) field is usually affected by the presence of the sample. For hardware design and to aid interpretation of experimental results, it is important both to anticipate and to accurately simulate the behavior of these fields. Fields generated by a radiofrequency surface coil were simulated using dyadic Green's functions, or experimentally measured over a range of frequencies inside an object whose electrical properties were varied to illustrate a variety of transmit [Formula: see text] and receive [Formula: see text] field patterns. In this work, we examine how changes in polarization of the field and interference of propagating waves in an object can affect the B1 spatial distribution. Results are explained conceptually using Maxwell's equations and intuitive illustrations. We demonstrate that the electrical conductivity alters the spatial distribution of distinct polarized components of the field, causing "twisted" transmit and receive field patterns, and asymmetries between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Additionally, interference patterns due to wavelength effects are observed at high field in samples with high relative permittivity and near-zero conductivity, but are not present in lossy samples due to the attenuation of propagating EM fields. This work provides a conceptual framework for understanding B1 spatial distributions for surface coils and can provide guidance for RF engineers.

T2-weighted prostate MRI at 7 Tesla using a simplified external transmit-receive coil array: correlation with radical prostatectomy findings in two prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To report design of a simplified external transmit-receive coil array for 7 Tesla (T) prostate MRI, including demonstration of the array for tumor localization using T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) at 7T before prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following simulations of transmitter designs not requiring parallel transmission or radiofrequency-shimming, a coil array was constructed using loop elements, with anterior and posterior rows comprising one transmit-receive element and three receive-only elements. This coil structure was optimized using a whole-body phantom. In vivo sequence optimization was performed to optimize achieved flip angle (FA) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in prostate. The system was evaluated in a healthy volunteer at 3T and 7T. The 7T T2WI was performed in two prostate cancer patients before prostatectomy, and localization of dominant tumors was subjectively compared with histopathological findings. Image quality was compared between 3T and 7T in these patients. RESULTS: Simulations of the B1(+) field in prostate using two-loop design showed good magnitude (B1(+) of 0.245 A/m/w(1/2)) and uniformity (nonuniformity [SD/mean] of 10.4%). In the volunteer, 90° FA was achieved in prostate using 225 v 1 ms hard-pulse (indicating good efficiency), FA maps confirmed good uniformity (14.1% nonuniformity), and SNR maps showed SNR gain of 2.1 at 7T versus 3T. In patients, 7T T2WI showed excellent visual correspondence with prostatectomy findings. 7T images demonstrated higher estimated SNR (eSNR) in benign peripheral zone (PZ) and tumor compared with 3T, but lower eSNR in fat and slight decreases in tumor-to-PZ contrast and PZ-homogeneity. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated feasibility of a simplified external coil array for high-resolution T2-weighted prostate MRI at 7T.

Breast MRI at 7 Tesla with a bilateral coil and robust fat suppression.

PURPOSE: To develop a bilateral coil and fat suppressed T1-weighted sequence for 7 Tesla (T) breast MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dual-solenoid coil and three-dimensional (3D) T1w gradient echo sequence with B1+ insensitive fat suppression (FS) were developed. T1w FS image quality was characterized through image uniformity and fat-water contrast measurements in 11 subjects. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and flip angle maps were acquired to assess the coil performance. Bilateral contrast-enhanced and unilateral high resolution (0.6 mm isotropic, 6.5 min acquisition time) imaging highlighted the 7T SNR advantage. RESULTS: Reliable and effective FS and high image quality was observed in all subjects at 7T, indicating that the custom coil and pulse sequence were insensitive to high-field obstacles such as variable tissue loading. 7T and 3T image uniformity was similar (P=0.24), indicating adequate 7T B1+ uniformity. High 7T SNR and fat-water contrast enabled 0.6 mm isotropic imaging and visualization of a high level of fibroglandular tissue detail. CONCLUSION: 7T T1w FS bilateral breast imaging is feasible with a custom radiofrequency (RF) coil and pulse sequence. Similar image uniformity was achieved at 7T and 3T, despite different RF field behavior and variable coil-tissue interaction due to anatomic differences that might be expected to alter magnetic field patterns.

Design of a nested eight-channel sodium and four-channel proton coil for 7T knee imaging.

The critical design aim for a sodium/proton coil is to maximize sodium sensitivity and transmit field homogeneity while simultaneously providing adequate proton sensitivity and homogeneity. While most dual-frequency coils use lossy high-impedance trap circuits or PIN diodes to allow dual-resonance, we explored a nested-coil design for sodium/proton knee imaging at 7 T. A stand-alone eight-channel sodium receive array was implemented without standard dual-resonance circuitry to provide improved sodium signal-to-noise ratio. A detunable sodium birdcage was added for homogeneous sodium excitation and a four-channel proton transmit-receive array was added to provide anatomical reference imaging and B0 shimming capabilities. Both additional modules were implemented with minimal disturbance to the eight-channel sodium array by managing their respective resonances and geometrical arrangement. In vivo sodium signal-to-noise ratio was 1.2-1.7 times greater in the developed eight-channel array than in a mononuclear sodium birdcage coil, whereas the developed four-channel proton array provided signal-to-noise ratio similar to that of a commercial mononuclear proton birdcage coil.

Noninvasive quantification of intracellular sodium in human brain using ultrahigh-field MRI.

In vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures tissue sodium content in living human brain but current methods do not allow noninvasive quantitative assessment of intracellular sodium concentration (ISC) - the most useful marker of tissue viability. In this study, we report the first noninvasive quantitative in vivo measurement of ISC and intracellular sodium volume fraction (ISVF) in healthy human brain, made possible by measuring tissue sodium concentration (TSC) and intracellular sodium molar fraction (ISMF) at ultra-high field MRI. The method uses single-quantum (SQ) and triple-quantum filtered (TQF) imaging at 7 Tesla to separate intra- and extracellular sodium signals and provide quantification of ISMF, ISC and ISVF. This novel method allows noninvasive quantitative measurement of ISC and ISVF, opening many possibilities for structural and functional metabolic studies in healthy and diseased brains.

Breast MRI at 7 Tesla with a bilateral coil and T1-weighted acquisition with robust fat suppression: image evaluation and comparison with 3 Tesla.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the image quality of T1-weighted fat-suppressed breast MRI at 7 T and to compare 7-T and 3-T images. METHODS: Seventeen subjects were imaged using a 7-T bilateral transmit-receive coil and 3D gradient echo sequence with adiabatic inversion-based fat suppression (FS). Images were graded on a five-point scale and quantitatively assessed through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), fibroglandular/fat contrast and signal uniformity measurements. RESULTS: Image scores at 7 and 3 T were similar on standard-resolution images (1.1 × 1.1 × 1.1-1.6 mm(3)), indicating that high-quality breast imaging with clinical parameters can be performed at 7 T. The 7-T SNR advantage was underscored on 0.6-mm isotropic images, where image quality was significantly greater than at 3 T (4.2 versus 3.1, P ≤ 0.0001). Fibroglandular/fat contrast was more than two times higher at 7 T than at 3 T, owing to effective adiabatic inversion-based FS and the inherent 7-T signal advantage. Signal uniformity was comparable at 7 and 3 T (P < 0.05). Similar 7-T image quality was observed in all subjects, indicating robustness against anatomical variation. CONCLUSION: The 7-T bilateral transmit-receive coil and adiabatic inversion-based FS technique produce image quality that is as good as or better than at 3 T. KEY POINTS: • High image quality bilateral breast MRI is achievable with clinical parameters at 7 T. • 7-T high-resolution imaging improves delineation of subtle soft tissue structures. • Adiabatic-based fat suppression provides excellent fibroglandular/fat contrast at 7 T. • 7- and 3-T 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo images have similar signal uniformity. • The 7-T dual solenoid coil enables bilateral imaging without compromising uniformity.

Whole body traveling wave magnetic resonance imaging at high field strength: homogeneity, efficiency, and energy deposition as compared with traditional excitation mechanisms.

In 7 T traveling wave imaging, waveguide modes supported by the scanner radiofrequency shield are used to excite an MR signal in samples or tissue which may be several meters away from the antenna used to drive radiofrequency power into the system. To explore the potential merits of traveling wave excitation for whole-body imaging at 7 T, we compare numerical simulations of traveling wave and TEM systems, and juxtapose full-wave electrodynamic simulations using a human body model with in vivo human traveling wave imaging at multiple stations covering the entire body. The simulated and in vivo traveling wave results correspond well, with strong signal at the periphery of the body and weak signal deep in the torso. These numerical results also illustrate the complicated wave behavior that emerges when a body is present. The TEM resonator simulation allowed comparison of traveling wave excitation with standard quadrature excitation, showing that while the traveling wave B +1 per unit drive voltage is much less than that of the TEM system, the square of the average B +1 compared to peak specific absorption rate (SAR) values can be comparable in certain imaging planes. Both systems produce highly inhomogeneous excitation of MR signal in the torso, suggesting that B(1) shimming or other parallel transmission methods are necessary for 7 T whole body imaging.

Sodium imaging of human brain at 7 T with 15-channel array coil.

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a major challenge to sodium magnetic resonance imaging. Phased array coils have been shown significantly improving SNR in proton imaging over volume coils. This study investigates SNR advantage of a 15-channel array head coil (birdcage volume coil for transmit/receive and 15-channel array insert for receive-only) in sodium imaging at 7 T. Phantoms and healthy human brains were scanned on a whole-body 7 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner using a customer-developed pulse sequence with the twisted projection imaging trajectory. Noise-only images were acquired with blanked radiofrequency excitations for noise measurement on a pixel basis. SNR was calculated on the root of sum-of-squares images. When compared with the volume coil, the 15-channel array produced SNR more than doubled at the periphery and slightly increased at the center of the phantoms and human brains. Decorrelation of noise across channels of the array coil extended the SNR-doubled region into deep area of the brain. The spatial modulation of element sensitivities on the sum-of-squares combined image was removed by performing self-calibrated sensitivity encoding parallel image reconstruction and uniform image intensity across entire field of view was attained. The 15-channel array coil is an efficient tool to substantially improve SNR in sodium imaging on human brain.

Comparison of a 28-channel receive array coil and quadrature volume coil for morphologic imaging and T2 mapping of knee cartilage at 7T.

PURPOSE: To compare a new birdcage-transmit, 28-channel receive array (28-Ch) coil and a quadrature volume coil for 7T morphologic MRI and T2 mapping of knee cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The right knees of 10 healthy subjects were imaged on a 7T whole body magnetic resonance (MR) scanner using both coils. 3D fast low-angle shot (3D-FLASH) and multiecho spin-echo (MESE) sequences were implemented. Cartilage signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), thickness, and T2 values were assessed. RESULTS: SNR/CNR was 17%-400% greater for the 28-Ch compared to the quadrature coil (P ≤ 0.005). Bland-Altman plots show mean differences between measurements of tibial/femoral cartilage thickness and T2 values obtained with each coil to be small (-0.002 ± 0.009 cm / 0.003 ± 0.011 cm) and large (-6.8 ± 6.7 msec/-8.2 ± 9.7 msec), respectively. For the 28-Ch coil, when parallel imaging with acceleration factors (AF) 2, 3, and 4 was performed SNR retained was: 62%-69%, 51%-55%, and 39%-45%. CONCLUSION: A 28-Ch knee coil provides increased SNR/CNR for 7T cartilage morphologic imaging and T2 mapping. Coils should be switched with caution during clinical studies because T2 values may differ. The greater SNR of the 28-Ch coil could be used to perform parallel imaging with AF2 and obtain similar SNR as the quadrature coil.

A 20-channel receive-only mouse array coil for a 3 T clinical MRI system.

A 20-channel phased-array coil for MRI of mice has been designed, constructed, and validated with bench measurements and high-resolution accelerated imaging. The technical challenges of designing a small, high density array have been overcome using individual small-diameter coil elements arranged on a cylinder in a hexagonal overlapping design with adjacent low impedance preamplifiers to further decouple the array elements. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise amplification in accelerated imaging were simulated and quantitatively evaluated in phantoms and in vivo mouse images. Comparison between the 20-channel mouse array and a length-matched quadrature driven small animal birdcage coil showed an SNR increase at the periphery and in the center of the phantom of 3- and 1.3-fold, respectively. Comparison with a shorter but SNR-optimized birdcage coil (aspect ratio 1:1 and only half mouse coverage) showed an SNR gain of twofold at the edge of the phantom and similar SNR in the center. G-factor measurements indicate that the coil is well suited to acquire highly accelerated images.