A new RF-coil for UHF MRI based on a slotted microstrip line

Abstract

We propose to use an antenna based on a microstrip line with a slotted ground plane, as a transcieve RF-coil for ultra-high field (UHF) human body MRI at 7 Tesla. In this work we show by numerical simulations, that while being loaded with a homogeneous dielectric phantom, this slotted line supports fast-wave propagation and radiation of power into the phantom. As a result, it produces high RF magnetic field at a deeply located region of interest, which is the same as one produced by the well-known fractionated dipole.