16 Channel Custom Breast MRI Radiofrequency Coil

A system and method for breast imaging is disclosed. The system is constructed as a modular RF coil system for an MR imaging apparatus and includes a fitted coil former constructed to have a shape and size so as to substantially conform to a breast of a patient to be imaged and a receiver coil array positioned on the fitted coil former and having a plurality of receiver coils arranged to form a coil array. At least one of a size of each of the plurality of receiver coils and a number of the plurality of receiver coils is based on a size of the fitted coil former. Based on its coil arrangement and its proximity to the breasts of the patient to be imaged, the receiver coil array of the modular RF coil system is capable of receiving MR data for parallel imaging.