The present invention provides an apparatus and a corresponding method useful for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging, in situ and in vivo, using high-isolation transmit/receive (TX/RX) coils, which, in some embodiments, provide microenvironmental images that are representative of particular internal structures in the human body and spatially resolved images of tissue/cell protein signals responding to conditions (such as hypoxia) that show the temporal sequence of certain biological processes, and, in some embodiments, that distinguish malignant tissue from healthy tissue. In some embodiments, the TX/RX coils are in a surface, volume or surface-volume configuration. In some embodiments, the transmit coils are oriented to generate an RF magnetic field in directions substantially orthogonal to a static gradient field, and the receive coils are oriented to sense RF EPR signal in directions substantially orthogonal to the transmitted field and to the static field, to minimize coupling of the transmitted signal to the receive coils.

The present invention provides an apparatus and a corresponding method useful for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging, in situ and in vivo, using high-isolation transmit/receive (TX/RX) coils, which, in some embodiments, provide microenvironmental images that are representative of particular internal structures in the human body and spatially resolved images of tissue/cell protein signals responding to conditions (such as hypoxia) that show the temporal sequence of certain biological processes, and, in some embodiments, that distinguish malignant tissue from healthy tissue. In some embodiments, the TX/RX coils are in a surface, volume or surface-volume configuration. In some embodiments, the transmit coils are oriented to generate an RF magnetic field in directions substantially orthogonal to a static gradient field, and the receive coils are oriented to sense RF EPR signal in directions substantially orthogonal to the transmitted field and to the static field, to minimize coupling of the transmitted signal to the receive coils.

A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a bore, a table configured to support a patient being imaged and movable to move the patient in and out of the bore, a motion sensor, a controller configured to detect patient motion based on changes in an RF signal from the motion sensor. The motion sensor includes a self-resonant spiral (SRS) coil excited by a drive signal to radiate a magnetic field having a predefined resonant frequency and a driver-receiver coupled to the SRS coil and configured to generate the drive signal to excite the SRS coil and to receive the RF signal from the SRS coil. The motion sensor is located such that a portion of the patient is within the magnetic field while the patient is being imaged in the bore.

A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a bore, a table configured to support a patient being imaged and movable to move the patient in and out of the bore, a motion sensor, a controller configured to detect patient motion based on changes in an RF signal from the motion sensor. The motion sensor includes a self-resonant spiral (SRS) coil excited by a drive signal to radiate a magnetic field having a predefined resonant frequency and a driver-receiver coupled to the SRS coil and configured to generate the drive signal to excite the SRS coil and to receive the RF signal from the SRS coil. The motion sensor is located such that a portion of the patient is within the magnetic field while the patient is being imaged in the bore.

An MRI system RF transmit antenna arrangement 3 including an antenna 5 including a length of coaxial cable 51 with an electrically conductive core 52 and an electrically conductive outer shield 53 through which the core runs, with the core having a feed point 52a arranged for electrical connection to an RF source and at least one break 53a being provided in the electrically conductive outer shield partway along the length of coaxial cable so as to divide the electrically conductive outer shield 53 into at least two axially spaced shield portions such that at least one of the shield portions acts as a radiating element when an RF source is connected to the feed point 52a.

Disclosed herein is a medical system (400) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (402) configured for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data (444, 444′) from a subject (418) within an imaging zone (408). The medical system further comprises a subject support (100) configured for supporting at least a portion of the subject within the imaging zone, wherein the subject support comprises a radiotherapy couch top (102) 5 configured for receiving the subject. The radiotherapy couch top comprises a flat surface (104) configured for supporting the subject. The radiotherapy couch top further comprises a head support region (110) configured for receiving a head of the subject, wherein the head region comprises a depression (108). The head region is configured for receiving a flat head support plate (112). The medical system further comprises a flat head support plate. The flat head support plate is configured to form part of the flat surface (104′) when installed in the head region.

Disclosed herein is a medical system (400) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (402) configured for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data (444, 444′) from a subject (418) within an imaging zone (408). The medical system further comprises a subject support (100) configured for supporting at least a portion of the subject within the imaging zone, wherein the subject support comprises a radiotherapy couch top (102) 5 configured for receiving the subject. The radiotherapy couch top comprises a flat surface (104) configured for supporting the subject. The radiotherapy couch top further comprises a head support region (110) configured for receiving a head of the subject, wherein the head region comprises a depression (108). The head region is configured for receiving a flat head support plate (112). The medical system further comprises a flat head support plate. The flat head support plate is configured to form part of the flat surface (104′) when installed in the head region.

Apparatus for the measurement of ore in mine ore benches or ore stockpiles is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a mobile platform, defining a platform zone, wherein the mobile platform is positionable on or above a mine ore bench or stockpile; and at least one magnetic resonance (MR) sensor comprised in the mobile platform. The MR sensor includes a main loop and a drive loop located above the main loop. A magnetic resonance sensor control system is provided and configured to control at least one of: the positioning of the at least one MR sensor relative to the platform zone and/or mine ore bench or ore stockpile; the positioning of elements comprised in the MR sensor relative to each other; electromagnetic suppression characteristics of the at least one MR sensor; and/or sensitivity of the at least one MR sensor as a function of distance of the sensor from the mine ore bench or ore stockpile.

An apparatus and method for improved S/N measurements useful for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging in situ and in vivo, using high-isolation transmit/receive surface coils and temporally spaced pulses of RF energy (e.g., in some embodiments, a RF pi pulse) having an amplitude sufficient to rotate the magnetization by 180 degrees followed after varied delays, by a second RF pulse having an amplitude half that of the initial pulse to rotate the magnetization by, e.g., 90 degrees (a pi/2 pulse), to the plane orthogonal to the static field where it evolves for a short time. Then a third RF pi pulse sufficient to rotate the magnetization by, e.g., 180 degrees, forms an echo (in some embodiments, the second and third pulses are from the same signal as the first pulse but are phase shifted by 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees to reduce signal artifact), to image human body.

An apparatus and method for improved S/N measurements useful for electron paramagnetic resonance imaging in situ and in vivo, using high-isolation transmit/receive surface coils and temporally spaced pulses of RF energy (e.g., in some embodiments, a RF pi pulse) having an amplitude sufficient to rotate the magnetization by 180 degrees followed after varied delays, by a second RF pulse having an amplitude half that of the initial pulse to rotate the magnetization by, e.g., 90 degrees (a pi/2 pulse), to the plane orthogonal to the static field where it evolves for a short time. Then a third RF pi pulse sufficient to rotate the magnetization by, e.g., 180 degrees, forms an echo (in some embodiments, the second and third pulses are from the same signal as the first pulse but are phase shifted by 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees to reduce signal artifact), to image human body.