Researchers from the University of Houston have developed a high-temperature superconducting coil for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners that can lead to images with higher resolution when compared to conventional coils.

Led by university scientist Jarek Wosik, the team developed the coil to be able to improve images of MRI brain structures that currently were not shown using conventional MRI coils. The cryo-coil is able to boost the MRI signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by as much as three times better than a conventional coil, reveling many details that has gone unnoticed.

"Compared to corresponding standard room temperature MRI coils, the performance of the cooled normal metal and/or the high-temperature superconducting receiver coils lead either to an increase in imaging resolution and its quality, or to a very significant reduction in total scan time," Wosik said.

First testing the probe on rat brain imaging, the team is hopeful to start human trails soon.

"Research in animal models yields critical information to improve diagnosis and treatment of human diseases and disorders," said Wosik. "This work also has the potential to clearly benefit clinical MRI, both through high quality imaging and through shortening the time patients are in the scanner."