Facial surface coil for MR imaging

A local-reception counter-rotating-current coil for magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T was developed. It consists of two parallel coaxial racetrack-shaped loops. The planes of the loops are orthogonal to the surface of the body, and the space between the loops is open. The separation between the loops allows the device to fit over the nose and mouth for oral-maxillofacial imaging without the threat of occlusion to the patient's air passages. The sensitivity of this coil is similar to that of conventional surface coils of the same dimensions. The two active current elements conform to other anatomic objects including the eyes and anterior portion of the neck.