Arakawa M, Crooks L E, McCarten B, Hoenninger J C, Watts J C, Kaufman L
Radiology. 1985 Jan;154(1):227-8. doi: 10.1148/radiology.154.1.3964940.
Differences in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging signal-to-noise (S/N) performance between saddle-shaped and solenoidal coils have been postulated. Each coil shape is tied to a particular magnetic field configuration, so that they are not typically interchangeable except in special situations. The solenoidal coil is predicted to have a two- to three-fold advantage over the saddle-shaped coil. Simple basic arguments raise a dispute with this assertion. Experiments show that both coils produce essentially equivalent S/N levels.