A Single-Solenoid Double-Resonance Radiofrequency Coil for 1H-31P Solid State MRI at 1.5 T

Motivation: Metabolic bone disease is a prevalent health concern affecting more than 200 million individuals worldwide. MRI has the potential to noninvasively characterize bone quality. Goal(s): The goal was to custom-build a double-resonance RF coil capable of proton and phosphorus solid state MRI on a 1.5 T extremity scanner intended for arms, legs, and tissue specimen imaging. Approach: A double-resonance RF coil was constructed based on a double-tuning single solenoid configuration, employing quarter-wave transmission lines to isolate the two channels. Results: ZTE 1H and 31P MRI of bone specimens demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of this coil. Impact: The constructed single-solenoid double-resonance RF coil is capable of acquiring solid state 1H and 31P MRI of bone specimens. With this coil, MR information on the organic matrix (1H) and mineral (31P) can be obtained to assess metabolic bone diseases.