Abstract
To improve the detection sensitivity of Micro Magnetic Resonance Imaging (μ-MRI) in humans, small animals or biological sample, it is necessary to reach higher spatial resolution. Radio Frequency (RF) YBaCuO film coils, in superconducting state, are used for that purpose, instead of copper coils. In working condition, these miniature RF coils are located in clinical MRI scanners (few Tesla) and very closed to the biological sample under investigation. A non magnetic cryostat has been designed and constructed to operate these RF coils in this particular medical environment. This cryostat is principally made of polymer materials to reduce the electromagnetic perturbations to the MRI magnet and the cryogenic scheme has been chosen to be cryogen free. In this paper, we describe the cryostat and present the experimental thermal characterizations and the first images obtained in a clinical MRI scanner.
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