Design and implementation of a 1H/31P dual-tuned head coil at 7T

Motivation: To develop an advanced RF coil that enables both 1H structural and 31P metabolic imaging at 7T, overcoming current limitations of separate coil systems. Goal(s): Develop a novel 1H/31P dual-tuned RF coil to achieve homogeneous, extended coverage for 1H imaging and high SNR for 31P imaging at 7T. Approach: Integrated a Tic-Tac-Toe RF coil design for 1H transmission and a quadrature birdcage design for 31P. Results: The simulated results showed high B1+ uniformity and coverage and the implemented 1H/31P coil prototype enabled both 1H and 31P imaging, providing a feasible solution for structural and metabolic imaging within a single MRI session. Impact: The dual-tuned RF coil enables advanced neuroimaging at 7T, providing detailed structural and metabolic imaging within a single session. By eliminating the need for repositioning or coil switching, this design enables more efficient imaging workflows and precise anatomical-metabolic alignment.