Patent classifications
G01R33/3456
Changing samples in a magnetic resonance system
In a general aspect, a sample holder has multiple sample containers. In some instances, the sample holder can be received into a resonator package in a primary magnetic field of a magnetic resonance system. The resonator package includes a resonator configured to interact with a sample in a sample region. The sample holder includes a first sample and a calibration sample. The position of the sample holder relative to the resonator is calibrated. After calibrating the position of the sample holder, the sample holder is translated to position the first sample in the sample region. Magnetic resonance data is acquired based on magnetic resonance signals generated by an interaction between the resonator and the first sample.
RADIO FREQUENCY ANTENNA ASSEMBLY FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY
The radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly has sets of antenna conductors that leave an opening between the sets. A radiotherapy beam path may pass through the opening so that the antenna conductors are at most minimally exposed to the radiation. Each set of antenna conductors has a surface conductor loop and a transverse conductor loop. The surface conductor loop is arranged on cylindrical surface and generates an RF field mostly in its axial range. The transverse conductor loop extends radially and generates an RF field in the axial range of the opening. In this way a homogeneous RF field within the RF antenna assembly.
Magnetic resonance imaging system using radio frequency (RF) coils corresponding to volumes representing target regions
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a main magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, a gradient coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field, and a radio frequency (RF) coil arrangement including RF components corresponding to volumes representing target regions of a subject, each of the volumes including slices, each RF components including sets of RF coil elements, and each set of RE coil elements being configured to apply RF fields to a slice of the corresponding volume.
INSERT IMAGING DEVICE FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port. Several example embodiments described herein provide imaging devices for performing imaging within an access port, where the imaging may be based one or more imaging modalities that may include, but are not limited to, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, optical imaging such as hyperspectral imaging and optical coherence tomography, and electrical conductive measurements.
Rapid cycle dynamic nuclear polarization magnetic resonance apparatus
A rapid cycle dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR apparatus comprises (i) a cooling unit configured to cool a sample in a capillary, (b) a DNP polarization unit configured to polarize the sample in the capillary, (c) a stripline-based NMR detector comprising a stripline for NMR analysis of the sample in the capillary, (d) a transport unit configured to guide the capillary from the DNP polarization unit to the stripline of stripline-based NMR detector; and (e) a heating unit configured to heat the sample in the capillary before analysis of the sample by the stripline-based NMR detector. Fast (1D-3D) NMR measurements with high resolution may be obtained.
STRIPLINE DETECTOR FOR IN SITU BATTERY AND FUEL CELL NMR
Provided are batteries and fuel cells incorporating a stripline detector for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The stripline batteries and fuel cells can be used for in situ NMR measurement of battery or fuel cell chemistry. Also provided are methods for measuring in situ battery and fuel cell NMR using the stripline batteries and fuel cells of the invention.
Acquisition of MR data with sequential selection of resonant modes of the RF coil asssembly
A method (10) for acquiring magnetic resonance data from a sample (50) to be analyzed through a fixed geometry configuration coil suitable for transmitting radiofrequency signals suitable for exciting said sample and/or detecting magnetic resonance signals from the sample (50) is described. The coil (100) comprises a plurality of current elements (20,21,22) and exhibits a frequency response comprising a plurality of resonant modes (M1, M2, M3) each associable to a respective resonant frequency (f1,f2,f3) depending on electrical features of the current elements (20,21,22), the current elements (20,21,22) comprising at least one current element having electrical features that may be regulated based on a respective control signal (S_CV0, S_CV1, S_CV2). The method provides for synthesizing the control signal such as to obtain magnetic resonance data from a same sample for a given first resonant frequency of interest sequentially using resonance modes having different spatial field distributions.
Antenna device and magnetic resonance imaging device for suppressing absorption rate of irradiated waves
There is provided a technique for suppressing increase of SAR without sacrificing sensitivity in RF coils used in MRI apparatuses. The present invention provides an antenna device comprising a sheet-shaped conductor and a ribbon-shaped conductor disposed on the subject side with respect to the sheet-shaped conductor with a predetermined distance from the sheet-shaped conductor. The ribbon-shaped conductor has a meandering shape, and is adjusted so as to resonate at transmission and reception frequencies, and it is constituted so that distance to the sheet-shaped conductor becomes smaller at both end part thereof along the static magnetic field direction compared with the distance to the sheet-shaped conductor at the center thereof. Moreover, the ribbon-shaped conductor is constituted so as to have a smaller width, as the distance to the sheet-shaped conductor becomes smaller.
SENSOR ELEMENT, TEST DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR TESTING A DATA CARRIER HAVING A SPIN RESONANCE FEATURE
A sensor element for testing a flat-surface data carrier has a spin resonance feature. The sensor element includes a magnetic core with an air gap, into which the flat-surface data carrier can be inserted for testing, a polarization device for generating a static magnetic flux in the air gap, and a resonator device for exciting the spin resonance feature of the data carrier to be tested in the air gap. The resonator device contains at least two stripline resonators, which are designed and configured to be operated at different excitation frequencies.
SENSOR ELEMENT, TEST DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR TESTING A DATA CARRIER HAVING A SPIN RESONANCE FEATURE
A sensor element is for testing a planar data carrier with a spin resonance feature. The sensor element includes a magnetic core having an air gap into which the planar data carrier can be inserted for testing purposes, a polarization device for generating a static magnetic flux in the air gap, and a resonator device for exciting the spin resonance feature of the data carrier to be tested in the air gap. The resonator device has at least two stripline resonators positioned at different positions in the air gap. The polarization device generates an in-homogeneous magnetic flux in the air gap so that the static magnetic flux has a first field strength at the position of a first stripline resonator and a second, different field strength at the position of a second stripline resonator.