Toward a Size-Adaptable 128-Channel Receive RF Coil for Human Head Imaging at 3T Using a Flexible Plate Approach

We present a size-adaptable flexible-plate 128-channel receive coil design with initial results. Our approach allows for increased element density as elements can be placed closer to the surface of the scalp. Arrays are built on semi-flexible plates with boundaries roughly following cranial sutures. The aim is to accommodate at least 99% of head shapes and sizes. Our 18-channel “occipital” plate array (1 of 8 plates) was compared to the posterior portion (40-channels) of the Siemens 64 Head/Neck coil using SNR maps. Results show that our design improves average and max SNR by 1.9- and 7.4-fold, respectively.