An apt analogy of how a coil works in an MRI is to think of a high-end stereo system. No matter how great the audio components, if you don't have good speakers (MRI coils), you won't be able to take advantage of the system's superior sound. Comparitvely, to get sharp images on an MRI requires the highest signal-to-noise ratio and for this, the choice in MRI coils make a big difference.

"You want to generate higher signal than noise coming from your coil. You can either do it with greater signal, 3T, or less noise, which is what you get with multi-channel coil elements [such as in a 1.5T scanner]. For cost-effectiveness the market is leaning toward 1.5T. You can get smaller coil elements closer to the area of interest on the body and thus create a less noisy image," Kollitz explained.


MEDRAD, a coil OEM, is also pioneering a relatively new application, the prostate coil.

"We are still the only company that offers an endorectal coil for prostate imaging. It is a niche application, but an important application if you look at the demographics and how prostate cancer incidence is growing," said Rajeev Sehgal, Radiology Group Marketing Director, MEDRAD. As the baby boomers age, some estimates suggest the number of prostate cancer cases in the U.S. will grow from roughly 200,000 today to over 300,000 cases per year by 2015 - 2020. "Right now, what we have decided is to focus on specialized coils, [such as] prostate cancer and imaging," Sehgal said, noting that MEDRAD still sells its neurovascular coils.

The breast coil is another specialty application expected to grow in the future as the clinical usefulness of breast MRI is demonstrated.

Wear and Tear

In addition to engineering know-how, the cosmetics of MRI coil repair are essential. Creative Foam Medical Systems is a contract manufacturer specializing in patient positioners, surface coils, flex coils, and table pads. Their work on foam has spawned a new business doing full coil repair.

"We do coil packaging and molding or fabricate foam that encapsulates electronics and circuitry of the RF coil itself," said Ryan G. McCartney, Sales Manager. "Coils go back to the OEM or ISO for repair, but once they cut open the foam and start doing the repair, either they have to cosmetically repair the foam or send it back to us to refoam it entirely so it looks like a brand new coil."

As the supplier to the suppliers, McCartney has a clear perspective on market trends.

"We have seen forward production [sales of new foam to the OEMs] decline and an increase in the refurbished market as people are sending coils in for repair instead of purchasing new," he said.

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