Computational Analysis for the Combination of Inductive Coupled Wireless Coils and High Permittivity Materials to Improve B1 Field for Rhesus Monkey MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning of small animals such as non-human primates has been of interest in recent years. Imaging primates, such as rhesus monkeys, presents challenges due to the shape of their head. The shape and dimensions of the head can cause poor magnetic flux density (|B1|) strength and penetration to specific regions of interest. In this study, we focus on the design of an eight-channel, helmet-style array coil for rhesus monkey brain imaging, and performed quantitative analysis by means of electromagnetic (EM) simulations and acquiring reception sensitivity (|B1-|)-fields to demonstrate that the use of combining inductively coupled wireless coils and high permittivity materials can improve the |B1-|-field sensitivity of a tradition phase array coil.