The invention concerns to a radio frequency (RF) body coil (2), for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, comprising: an RF shield (6), an RF coil element (8), distantly arranged from the RF shield (6), and at least one distance setting element (10), arranged and designed in such a way that the relative distance (12) between the RF shield (6) and the RF coil element (8) is adjustable via the distance setting element (10) which may lead to locally deforming the RF coil element (8) and/or the RF shield (6). Thus, a radio frequency coil for use in an Magnetic Resonance Imaging system is provided that can be tuned to desired resonances in a comfortable and economic way.

A nuclear magnetic resonance coil configuration having at least one flat or cylindrical coil (18), through which current flows in operation, which coil generates a high-frequency magnetic B.sub.1 field at the location of a sample (16) which is oriented parallel to an x-axis, and which for the purpose of connection to a tuning network is connected to at least two electrical feed lines (11), through which in-phase currents flow in operation, and which generate a high-frequency magnetic B.sub.2 field in the sample (16), the orientation of which encloses an angle with the direction of the B.sub.1 field, is characterized in that the following applies for the angle : =180, where <90. In this way, a B.sub.1 field profile, which is as rectangular as possible and is particularly steep on both sides, can be generated.

In some embodiments, an apparatus, system, and method may operate to transmit, using a first transceiver antenna, a common signal into a geological formation, and to receive in response to the transmitting, at the first transceiver antenna, a first corresponding nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal from a first volume of the formation. Additional activity may include receiving, in response to the transmitting, at a second transceiver antenna spaced apart from the first transceiver antenna, the common signal transformed by the formation into a received resistivity signal, as well as transmitting, using the second transceiver antenna, a second corresponding NMR signal into a second volume of the formation different from the first volume of the formation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tools, logging systems, and methods for measuring NMR properties of earth formations in a region of interest are provided. The NMR tool includes an antenna assembly, a magnet assembly, a compensating assembly, and a motion sensor. The antenna assembly is operable to generate a radio-frequency magnetic field and the magnet assembly is operable to generate a static magnetic field. The motion sensor is operable to generate readings for lateral motion of the antenna and magnet assemblies. The compensating assembly contains at least one electromagnet and is operable to reduce variation of the static magnetic field in the region of interest due to the lateral motion during NMR measurements based on the readings for the lateral motion.

A magnetic resonance signal detection module includes an insulator block having a coil mounting section including a through hole serving as a detection hole into which a sample container is inserted. A low-frequency coil is provided on an inner surface of the through hole. A high-frequency primary resonator is embedded in the coil mounting section so as to surround the low-frequency coil.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil comprising an LC circuit including at least one series capacitor, and a decoupling circuit connected in parallel to the LC circuit. The decoupling circuit is configured to decouple the MRI RF coil from one or more other MRI RF coils using passive decoupling upon the production of an induced voltage in the decoupling circuit, or to actively decouple the MRI RF coil from one or more other MRI RF coils upon the insertion of a DC bias into the decoupling circuit. The decoupling circuit includes a pair of fast switching PIN diodes including a first PIN diode connected antiparallel with a second PIN diode, the second PIN diode connected in series with a first capacitor. The decoupling circuit further includes an inductor connected in series with the pair of fast switching PIN diodes and the capacitor.

A portable magnetic resonance imager has a probe. One or more magnets are disposed in the probe, creating at least one magnetic field to precess protons at a target. A magnetometer disposed in the probe has a light source and a nitrogen vacancy diamond. The light source projects a light on the nitrogen vacancy diamond. The nitrogen vacancy diamond fluoresces in response to the light. A photodetector detects the fluorescence and produces a signal in response thereto indicative of the decaying of precessing protons having precessed in the presence of the one or more magnets.

An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing & diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra along regions associated with multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A diagnostic display provides a scaled, color coded legend and indication of results for each disc analyzed as an overlay onto a mid-sagittal T2-weighted MRI image of the lumbar spine for the patient being diagnosed. Clinical application of the embodiments provides a non-invasive, objective, pain-free, reliable approach for diagnosing painful vs. non-painful discs by simply extending and enhancing the utility of otherwise standard MRI exams of the lumbar spine.

In a multi-channel array coil used as an RF coil of an MRI apparatus, even when magnetic coupling occurs between the respective sub-coils, it is possible to suppress the influence of a current flowing through the sub-coil of a coupling counterpart to maintain the desired sensitivity and suppress deterioration of image quality. Therefor, even when magnetic coupling occurs between sub-coils constituting the multi-channel array coil used as the RF coil of the MRI apparatus, the sub-coils are connected to a signal processing circuit so that a phase difference between a rotating magnetic field generated by the influence of a current flowing through the sub-coil of the coupling counterpart and a rotating magnetic field generated by the sub-coil is less than 90 degrees.

An endorectal coil (1) includes a tube (40), a spreader (44), and one or more electrically conductive elements (64). The tube (40) is configured for insertion into the rectum (42). The spreader (44) is configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tube (40) and mechanically spread to compress surrounding tissue after the tube (40) is inserted. The one or more electrically conductive elements (64) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance data disposed on at least one of the tube (40), the spreader (44), and adjacent the tube and spreader.