The present disclosure provides techniques for using opto-isolator circuitry to control switching circuitry configured to be coupled to a radio-frequency (RF) coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In some embodiments, opto-isolator circuitry described herein may be configured to galvanically isolate switch controllers of the MRI system from the switching circuitry and/or provide feedback across an isolation barrier. Some embodiments provide an apparatus including switching circuitry configured to be coupled to an RF coil of an MRI system and a drive circuit that includes opto-isolator circuitry configured to control the switching circuitry. Some embodiments provide an MRI system that includes an RF coil configured to, when operated, transmit and/or receive RF signals to and/or from a field of view of the MRI system, switching circuitry coupled to the RF coil, and a drive circuit that includes opto-isolator circuitry configured to control the switching circuitry.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a T/R switch. The T/R switch includes a double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers with a top side and a bottom side each including two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers. Each of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers includes an inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an inner loop of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an outer loop. In a transmission mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated. In a receiving mode the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side and at the bottom side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a T/R switch. The T/R switch includes a double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers with a top side and a bottom side each including two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers. Each of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers includes an inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an inner loop of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an outer loop. In a transmission mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated. In a receiving mode the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side and at the bottom side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.

Optionally adjustable head coil system and methods for enhancing and/or optimizing magnetic resonance imaging, involving a housing, the housing having at least one portion, the at least one portion having a lower portion, an upper portion, and opposing side portions, each at least one portion optionally in movable relation to any other portion for facilitating adjustability, each at least one portion configured to accommodate at least one radio-frequency coil, and the upper and lower portions each optionally configured to overlap and engage the opposing side portions for facilitating decoupling the at least one radio-frequency coil, and a tongue portion optionally in movable relation to any other portion for facilitating adjustability, engageable with the lower portion, and fixably couple-able with a transporter.

A resonant coil system with improved sensitivity and signal-to-noise performance is described. A primary coil is tuned to a first resonance frequency and inductively coupled to a secondary coil that is separately tuned to a second resonance frequency. The primary and secondary coils form a resonant system with a resonance frequency that is a function of the primary and secondary coil resonance frequencies. The resonance frequency of the coil system is less than both the primary resonance frequency and the secondary resonance frequency. The mutual inductance between the two coils is high and the resonance frequency of the coil system's parallel mode is well separated from that of the anti-parallel mode.

A method of magnetic resonance tomography includes arranging an object in a static magnetic field, subjecting it to radiofrequency (RF) pulses and magnetic field gradients for creating spatial encoding of magnetic resonance signals, acquiring the signals with at least two RF receive coils, each with a self-resonance frequency and a spatially restricted sensitivity profile, and reconstructing an object image. Spatial encoding of the signals by the gradients and the profiles is utilized, wherein the profile of at least one of the coils is subjected to a temporal sensitivity profile modulation while acquiring the signal. The self-resonance frequency of the at least one coil is set within a predetermined receive bandwidth of a constant resonance frequency value during the modulation. The reconstructing further utilizes the modulation for obtaining additional spatial information to the spatial encoding of the signals by the gradients. Furthermore, an MRI device is described.

The present invention relates to implantable resonator systems for deep-tissue EPR oximetry and methods of using thereof. The implantable resonator of the present disclosure includes a resonator with an implantable end, a transmission line, and an external end, wherein the external end further includes a coupling loop operably connected to a coupling device. The coupling device includes a clamping mechanism to ensure proper alignment of the coupling loop. The implantable resonator may be used to monitor a tissue.

An array coil according to an embodiment includes a plurality of element coils, a first electrically-insulative coupler, and a second electrically-insulative coupler. Each of the plurality of element coils has a first fixation point and a second fixation point. The plurality of element coils are two-dimensionally arrayed in a first direction and a second direction while overlapping one another. The first electrically-insulative coupler is configured to couple together two or more of the first fixation points in the first direction. The second electrically-insulative coupler is configured to couple together two or more of the second fixation points in the first direction.

The technology disclosed in this invention belongs to both the field of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) and nuclear geomagnetic resonance application. Technically, a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system and its antenna are provided. The antenna includes two coils to make a gradient antenna wherein they simultaneously receive both the signal from the target region and the external radio frequency interference. Structurally, the first coil is positioned as a regular circular coil, while the second coil is annular and evenly distributed around the first coil peripherally. These coils are on the same plane with equal areas but have opposite winding directions. The systems specific to the disclosed antenna are also included. The configuration of the invented antenna can effectively increase the capability of suppressing environmental electromagnetic radio frequency interference, thereby enhancing the detection of the NQR or geomagnetic resonance signals. Consequently, the signal-to-noise ratio of the system is improved.

The present disclosure relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) array coil that includes first and second physical RF coils inductively coupled. A first matching circuit and a second matching circuit are coupled to the first physical RF coil and the second physical RF coil, respectively, and are coupled in a parallel configuration at a first RF port. A third matching circuit and a fourth matching circuit are coupled to the first physical RF coil and the second physical RF coil, respectively, and are coupled in an anti-parallel configuration at a second RF port. A first logical RF coil is formed by the first and second physical RF coils and the first and second matching circuits. A second logical RF coil, which is decoupled from the first logical RF coil, is formed by the first and second physical RF coils and the third and fourth matching circuits.