G01R33/3614

MRI BIRDCAGE COIL WITH DISTRIBUTED EXCITATION
20170299671 · 2017-10-19 ·

A magnetic resonance radio frequency transmission device (140) for generating and applying a radio frequency excitation field B.sub.1 for the purpose of magnetic resonance examination comprises a birdcage coil (144) and a plurality of M radio frequency amplifier units for providing radio frequency power at a magnetic resonance frequency to the birdcage coil (144) via a plurality of M activation ports (158) selected out of the plurality of N activation ports (158). In an operational state of the birdcage coil (144) each radio frequency amplifier unit (142) is electrically connected and is arranged in close proximity to an activation port (158). Among the plurality of M radio frequency amplifier units (142), there is established a fixed relationship of adjustable phase angles (φ) of the magnetic resonance radio frequency power provided by the plurality of M radio frequency amplifier units (142); a method of generating and applying a radio frequency excitation field B for the purpose of magnetic resonance examination, using such magnetic resonance radio frequency transmission device (140); and a magnetic resonance imaging system (110) configured for acquiring magnetic resonance images of at least a portion of a subject of interest (120), comprising such magnetic resonance radio frequency transmission device (140).

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-PART BODY COIL

A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from a plurality of MRI “coil elements” (antennae), each contained in one or a plurality of body-coil parts, wherein the body-coil parts are easily assemble-able into a body-coil assembly (e.g., in some embodiments, a cylindrical body-coil assembly) with shield elements that are overlapped and/or concentric, and wherein the body-coil assembly is readily disassemble-able for easier shipping, and wherein the body-coil parts are optionally usable individually as transmit (TX) and/or receive (RX) coil elements for MRI. In some embodiments, the system provides for repeatable assembly and disassembly for ease of maintenance (such as frequency tuning and impedance matching) such that the body-coil assembly can be fully assembled and tested, then taken apart for less costly and easier shipping (with reduced risk of damage) and then reassembled at the destination for operation in an MRI system.

High dynamic range RF power monitor

A device with at least one channel for measuring high dynamic range, radio frequency (RF) power levels over broad-ranging duty cycles includes a power sensor circuit comprising at least one logarithmic amplifier; at least one directional RF coupler electrically connected to the at least one power sensor; at least one RF attenuator electrically connected to the at least one RF coupler; and at least one sampling circuit electrically connected to the at least one RF attenuator and the at least one RF coupler. The at least one sampling circuit performs analog-to-digital conversion of electrical signals received to provide digitals signals for measuring the RF power level in the at least one channel.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INSTALLING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS

According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus installed in a shield room comprises a gantry, a table, and at least one unit. The gantry includes a static magnetic field magnet, a gradient magnetic field coil, and an RF coil. The subject is to be placed on the table. The at least one unit relates to control of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and is configured to include at least one opening on a upper surface on for maintenance and inspection.

Two-channel magnetic resonance imaging

A two-channel magnetic resonance tomography system is provided with a regulation circuit for an amplification system in order to be able to take into account different load situations of the MRI system in a flexible and efficient manner. It is thus possible to improve the MRI measurements greatly if the MRI system is set to the respective load situation beforehand by an idle state measurement. The adaptation may optionally also be carried out during the MRI measurement. Therefore, a multiplicity of completely different load situations may be taken into account in an optimized manner by the regulation circuit.

MRI SCANNER WITH ACTIVE INTERFERENCE SUPPRESSION AND INTERFERENCE SUPPRESSION METHOD FOR AN MRI SCANNER

An MRI scanner and a method for operation of the MRI scanner are provided. The MRI scanner has a first receiving antenna for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a patient in a patient tunnel, a second receiving antenna for receiving a signal having the Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance signal, and a receiver. The second receiving antenna is located outside of the patient tunnel or near an opening thereof. The receiver has a signal connection to the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna and is configured to suppress an interference signal by the second receiving antenna in the magnetic resonance signal received by the first receiving antenna.

RF POWER AMPLIFIER WITH BALUN TRANSFORMER
20220052657 · 2022-02-17 ·

A radiofrequency power amplifier includes a balun transformer and a plurality of power transistor pairs arranged in a push-pull configuration. The balun transformer has an unbalanced coil extending between a first single-ended signal terminal and a first reference, and a balanced coil extending between a first balanced signal terminal and a second balanced signal terminal. The balun transformer also includes an auxiliary coil electrically isolated from the unbalanced coil and the balanced coil. The auxiliary coil is inductively coupled to the unbalanced coil and extends between a third balanced signal terminal and a fourth balanced signal terminal forming a balanced combiner-divider. An output of a first one of the power transistor pairs is coupled to the first and second balanced signal terminals and an output of a second one of the power transistor pairs is coupled to the third and fourth balanced signal terminals.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING PEAK POWER REQUIREMENTS OF A MEDICAL IMAGING DEVICE

A method of handling a peak power requirement of a medical imaging device 106 is presented. The method includes determining, using at least one controlling unit 107, 108, a first voltage corresponding to a direct current (DC) link 116, a second voltage corresponding to one or more energy storage devices 110, or a combination thereof, where a power source 102 is coupled to a plurality of loads via the DC link, and the energy storage devices are coupled to the DC link. Further, the method includes comparing, using the at least one controlling unit, the first voltage with a first reference value and the second voltage with a second reference value and regulating, using at least one controlling unit, at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage based on the comparison, to handle the peak power requirement of the medical imaging device.

RADIO FREQUENCY POWER AMPLIFIER CONTROL DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA) control device. The RFPA control device may include an input signal processing module configured to process an input signal into two signals. A first signal may be used for signal detection, and a second signal may be used for signal amplification. The RFPA control device may also include a delay module. The delay module may be disposed between the input signal processing module and an adjustment module. The delay module may be configured to determine a delay of the second signal such that the second signal and the control signal roughly simultaneously reach the adjustment module.

Method for configuring a RF transmit assembly

The present disclosure relates to a method for configuring a radio frequency, RF, transmit assembly (200) for a magnetic resonance imaging system (300) for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data from a subject within an imaging zone using an RF pulse sequence, the RF transmit assembly (200) comprising an RF amplifier (215) and a transmit coil (213), wherein the RF transmit assembly (200) is configurable with a set of configuration parameters. The method comprises: providing (3001) operating conditions of the RF transmit assembly, the operating conditions being indicative of at least: a property of the RF pulse sequence and a measurable parameter that influences the RF pulse sequence property when operating the RF transmit assembly using the RF pulse sequence; using (3003) a predefined machine learning model for determining, for the operating conditions, at least part of the set of configuration parameters and associated values; configuring (3005) the RF transmit assembly (200) in accordance with the determined configuration parameters and associated values.