An orthogonality based RF decoupling method

A conformal RF coil array design for use in a MRI system is proposed. In particular, the coil array is designed without the use of any cumbersome mutual decoupling schemes. Coil elements are designed based on orthogonality, which will naturally minimise the problematic mutual coupling effects that inherently exist in most MRI phased-array systems [1]. A prototype of a knee coil constructed with the proposed orthogonality design is shown to have consistent imaging quality invariant to coil orientation with respect to B0 and application for “magic angle” imaging of soft-tissues.