7T MRI Loop Antenna for Carotid Imaging

7 Tesla Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most promising candidates for detecting carotid failure prematurely. To be able to use the technology efficiently, it is necessary to use separate, specialised antennas that can be applied to the body region of interest. Here a fractionated loop antenna is simulated and fabricated to determine optimal characteristics for 7T MRI carotid imaging application. A coilformer for applying the antenna to the carotid region is built, and EM simulations of the antenna are verified by testing the antenna in a 7T MRI scanner. On a saltwater phantom, it is determined that 60% of the peak signal is seen at the approximate position of the carotids, which means the antenna is an efficient transmit and receive element for a neck array coil.