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 system includes a machine readable storage medium storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions. The processor executes the instructions to receive radial k-space magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of a patient and determine a series of dipole sources via direct dipole decomposition of the radial k-space MRI data. The processor executes the instructions to identify an activation within the patient based on the series of dipole sources.

An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for improving uniformity of RF magnetic field in an MRI system, and thereby improving both signal-to-noise ratio and uniformity of imaging sensitivity across a sampling volume, to provide more uniform MRI images. A passive LC resonator develops induced EMF and induced currents in a primary RF magnetic field; the secondary magnetic field produced thereby can counteract magnetic field amplitude gradients to produce a more homogeneous RF magnetic field. In systems with separate transmit and receive coils, a shunt detuning circuit is pulsed ON to prevent interference during the transmit period. In a dual-frequency MRI machine (e.g. 19F and 1H), the RF magnetic field at the lower operating frequency can be homogenized by tuning the resonance of the passive resonator between the two operating frequencies. Another resonator can improve RF field uniformity at the higher operating frequency. Variants and experimental results are disclosed.

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.

The present disclosure may provide a coil assembly. The coil assembly may include a supporting assembly and a radio frequency (RF) coil supported on the supporting assembly. The RF coil may have a plurality of coil units and a plurality of transmission ports. At least one of the plurality of transmission ports may be operably connected to a single coil unit of the plurality of coil units. Each of the plurality of transmission ports may be configured to transmit a drive signal to one of the plurality of coil units for generating a magnetic field.

A double-resonant coil includes a closed conductor loop divided into at least two segments that are each connected via a second connection element configured to be converted from an electrically conductive state to an electrically insulating state. The double-resonant coil further includes an inductor or a capacitor connected in series to a first connection element so as to allow excitation of the closed conductor loop in a dipole mode at one frequency and with a homogeneous power distribution at a second frequency.

A pilot tone signal generator, a magnetic resonance tomograph, a method for transmission of a synchronization signal, and a computer program product are disclosed. The pilot tone signal generator includes a receive unit for receipt of a synchronization signal of a system control unit of a magnetic resonance tomograph. The synchronization signal may include a clock signal, and the pilot tone signal generator is configured to emit a pilot tone signal as a function of the synchronization signal.

MR signal transmission line connection structure. A first connector fixed to a bed of an MR imager and connectable to an MR imaging. A second connector, which is disposed at an opposite side of an opening side of a chamber of the MR imaging device allowing entry of the bed, connected to a signal receiver for MR signals by a cable. The first connector has a first connection terminal, and the second connector has a second connection terminal. When the bed moves into the chamber, the first connector abuts the second connector such that the first connection terminal is connected to the second connection terminal, and an MR signal received by the coil is conveyable to the signal receiver via the first and second connection terminals. When the MR imaging ends, the bed moves back out of the chamber, breaking the connection between the first and second connection terminals.

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.