Silicone-based materials with tailored MR relaxation characteristics for use in reduced coil visibility and in tissue-mimicking phantom design.

Gd-based contrast agents can be effectively used to create Ecoflex silicone polymer-based phantoms with tailored T relaxation properties. The relative low cost, ease of preparation, stretchability, mechanical stability, and long shelf life of Ecoflex silicone polymer all make it a good candidate for "MR invisible" coil development and bears promise for tissue-mimicking phantom development applicability.