G01R33/3642

A RF RESONATOR ARRAY DEVICE FOR USE IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
20230160983 · 2023-05-25 ·

A radiofrequency (RF) resonator array device for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRT), The RF resonator array device includes a substrate. An army of coupled split ring resonators are located on the substrate. Each of the coupled split ring resonators includes a first split ring resonator positioned on a first side of the substrate and a second split ring resonator positioned on a second side of the substrate located opposite the first side. The second split ring resonator is inductively coupled to the first split ring resonator. Methods of making and using the RF resonator device are also disclosed.

BIORESORBABLE RF COILS FOR POST-SURGICAL MONITORING BY MRI
20230103510 · 2023-04-06 ·

An implantable bioresorbable radio frequency (RF) coil for high-resolution and high-specificity post-surgical evaluating or monitoring with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is disclosed. The coil includes a bioresorbable conductor configured to be resorbed within a patient while the coil is implanted in the patient. In one embodiment, the target application of this coil is the evaluation or monitoring (via MRI) of peripheral nerve regeneration following surgical repair.

ADJUSTABLE HEAD COIL SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING AND/OR OPTIMIZING MRI

An 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.

MONITORING AN ABSORPTION RATE OF INDUCTIVELY COUPLED COILS

The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an absorption rate when using a primary coil of a magnetic resonance device and a secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil and to a monitoring unit, a magnetic resonance device and a computer program product. According to the method a maximum admissible absorption rate is provided, using which a maximum admissible B1 field strength of the secondary coil is determined. Furthermore, an actual B1 field strength of the secondary coil is determined. The absorption rate is monitored using the actual B1 field strength of the secondary coil and the maximum admissible B1 field strength of the secondary coil.

Near-field gradient probe for the suppression of radio interference
09812790 · 2017-11-07 · ·

An antenna system is provided comprising first, second, and third loop antennas, each antenna having a respective loop area and spaced apart from the other antennas. The first and third antennas are configured and driven to form a first independent balanced feed point that is substantially isolated from the second antenna, which is configured to be driven from a second balanced feed point. A sum of the first and second respective loop areas, at a sum port in operable communication with the first and second balanced feed points, is substantially equivalent to the third respective loop area. An automatic control system is configured to automatically and independently adjust, via the balanced feed points, at least one of amplitude and phase for at least one of the three loop antennas, to help to substantially maximize suppression of RFI for a sum of signals from the first and second balanced feed points.

Extended detuning in local coils
09791527 · 2017-10-17 · ·

A local coil for an MRI imaging system includes an antenna containing a first detuning circuit and a second detuning circuit, and a connection connected to the antenna between a first connection point on the antenna and a second connection point on the antenna. The connection is configured to be short-circuited by at least one diode. The first connection point and the second connection point are situated spatially between a first partial region and a second partial region of the antenna.

Automatic current switching of current leads for superconducting magnets

The invention provides for magnetic resonance imaging system (600) comprising a superconducting magnet (100) with a first current lead (108) and a second current lead (110) for connecting to a current ramping system (624). The magnet further comprises a vacuum vessel (104) penetrated by the first current lead and the second current lead. The magnet further comprises a magnet circuit (106) within the vacuum vessel. The magnet circuit has a first magnet circuit connection (132) and a second magnet circuit connection (134). The magnet further comprises a first switch (120) between the first magnet connection and the first current lead and a second switch (122) between the second magnet connection and the second current lead. The magnet further comprises a first current shunt (128) connected across the first switch and a second current shunt (130) connected across the second switch. The magnet further comprises a first rigid coil loop (124) operable to actuate the first switch. The first rigid coil loop forms a portion of the first electrical connection. The magnet further comprises a second rigid coil loop (126) operable to actuate the second switch. The second rigid coil loop forms a portion of the second electrical connection.

Radio frequency (RF) antenna element with a (de) tuning system

A radio frequency (RF) antenna element with a (de)tuning system, with the RF antenna element having a resonant electrically conductive loop and a (de)tuning system including a photosensitive switching element to (de)tune the resonant electrically conductive loop. The (de)tuning system comprises an injection optical source optically coupled to the photosensitive switching element.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine to detect scoliosis
09730610 · 2017-08-15 · ·

In one aspect, the present invention is a method for detecting spinal abnormalities using magnet resonance imaging. The method comprises positioning a patient in an upright posture in an imaging volume of a magnet resonance imaging magnet with the spine of the patient adjacent to an antenna and capturing magnetic resonance imaging signals from a first portion of the patient's spine using the antenna with the patient positioned in a first position. The method may further comprise adjusting the patient position along a substantially vertical direction to a second position and capturing magnetic resonance imaging signals from a second portion of the patient's spine using the antenna with the patient positioned in the second position.

Broadband circuit for nuclear magnetic resonance
09766192 · 2017-09-19 · ·

A device and system for generating a broadband excitation signal and corresponding excitation field to a substance under test in an NMR system is presented. The excitation signal is generated, according to a broadband transmitter, to a coil in the NMR system. A corresponding broadband receiver is also presented that acquires a response signal resulting from a response field emanating from the substance under test. Neither the transmitter nor the receiver require that the frequency of operation be determined according to a particular configuration of electrical devices to determine a resonance characteristic that tunes to a particular operational frequency. Rather, the operational frequency is determined according to control and driver devices triggered according to command and control signals in the case of the transmitter, and according to reactive elements, that are not configured as a tuned circuit, in the case of the receiver.