Novel Orthogonal Double Solenoid (ODS) Volume RF Coil for Small Animal Imaging

Introduction: Solenoids are known to be inherently high SNR coils that also generate highly homogeneous radio frequency magnetic (B1) fields[1]. The traditional solenoidal coil generates B1 field that is parallel to the static magnetic (B0) field. Hence, solenoidal RF coils currently in use for small animal imaging are typically designed for large bore clinical scanners, where the RF coil may be placed with its axis perpendicular to the B0 field to achieve transverse magnetization[2]. Here, we present a novel variant of the solenoid coil, the Orthogonal Double Solenoid (ODS) coil that generates transverse B1 field when placed with its axis parallel to the B0 field in dedicated high field small animal horizontal bore systems. We compare the performance of a linear ODS coil to commercial quadrature birdcage coils.