MULTICOIL ARRAY FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING OF THE BREAST

An RF multicoil array for high resolution imaging of the breast is pre sented. The RF multicoil is incorporated into a dedicated breast imagi ng apparatus that holds either breast in gentle compression during ima ging, Simulations and imaging experiments demonstrate the high sensiti vity and RF homogeneity of the multicoil array, Direct comparisons are made between the multicoil and a surface coil, In vivo images are pre sented to demonstrate the homogeneity of the RF field of the multicoil over the entire breast, An in vivo image of both high temporal and sp atial resolution is shown, which demonstrates the sensitivity of the R F multicoil array that may be achieved in a practical imaging experime nt.