Embedding Dynamic Field Probes in 7T RF Array Coils Enables Concurrent Field Monitoring Without Degrading Coil Performance

Motivation: To understand the effects of incorporating dynamic field probes in RF coils for imaging at ultra-high fields. Goal(s): To characterize transmit, receive, and temperature behavior of a 16Tx/64Rx coil with and without field probes. Approach: Electromagnetic coil simulations of B1+ and temperature maps were performed with and without probes in phantoms and compared to experimental data. Additionally, the receive array with and without probes was studied experimentally with SNR mapping. Results: Field probes do not diminish coil performance, opening the door for advanced 7T MRI that mitigates static and RF field inhomogeneity with integrated RF coils. Impact: Incorporating dynamic field probes in parallel-transmit RF coils with high receive channel counts can help mitigate increased B1+ and B0 at ultra-high fields. We explore the effects on RF coils with integrated probes by evaluating performance with and without probes.