A novel spiral radiofrequency coil for high field mouse cardiac imaging

The idea of a novel MR surface coil based on multi-turn spiral geometry is presented for use in mouse cardiac MRI. The benefits from flat, cylindrical arrangement of the coil are compared using computer simulations and MRI experiments in various cases of free space, phantom and animal loading conditions. Results show that the cylindrical case compares well with a commercially available birdcage coil offering a 50% signal intensity improvement for depths of penetration up to 6.1 mm from coil surface. There is also adequate B(1) field penetration that allows visualization of the lateral and inferior walls of the murine heart.