Transceiver 8Tx/32Rx array with L-shaped loop elements for accelerated cardiac MRI at 7T: initial optimization and experimental testing.

The concept of the L-shaped loop elements architecture with the antisymmetric arrangement was applied to develop a 8Tx/32Rx transceiver array for cardiac MRI at 7T. This work aimed to check B1+ shimming and parallel imaging capabilities of the array and to perform the initial testing in human thorax phantom and pig cadaver. Both phase-only and pTX optimization modes demonstrated the possibility for efficient shaping of B1+ with an optimized spatial homogeneity. Despite the sub-optimal geometry of the pig thorax, the array demonstrated a good B1+ coverage of the heart region with no apparent destructive interferences.