7T MR System Design Approach for Research Applications

M. Morich, M. Knopp, G. DeMeester, K. Nieman, D. Blakeley, L. Eastwood, J. Patrick Philips Medical Systems, Cleveland, Ohio, United States, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States Introduction There are potential advantages and challenges associated with the design of 7T MR systems. System design considerations must promote the anticipated advantages and address the challenges. The goal is the creation of an MR platform, which realizes the potential of 7T MR imaging building on the clinical utility already established at 3T. While a primary goal is head H imaging and fMRI capability, spectroscopy and studies of alternate nuclei are also of key interest. We describe a new 7T MR system design intended to foster the advancement of these research applications.