Active device tracking and high-resolution intravascular MRI using a novel catheter-based, opposed-solenoid phased array coil

A novel two-element, catheter-based phased array coil was designed and built for both active MR device tracking and high-resolution vessel wall imaging. The device consists of two independent solenoid coils that are wound in opposite directions, connected to separate receive channels, and mounted collinearly on an angiographic catheter. The elements were used independently or together for tracking or imaging applications, respectively. The array's dual functionality was tested on a clinical 1.5 T MRI scanner in vitro, in vivo, and in situ. During real-time catheter tracking, each element gave rise to a high-amplitude peak in the respective projection data, which enabled reliable and robust device tracking as well as automated slice positioning. In vivo microimaging with 240 mum inplane resolution was achieved in 9 s using the device and TrueFISP imaging. Therefore, a single device was successfully implemented that met the combined requirements of intravascular device tracking and imaging. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.