Adjustable RF coil assembly for magnetic resonance systems and method of operation thereof

A radio-frequency (RF) coil apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) systems, the RF coil comprising:

• a base having opposed sides and a surface configured to support an object of interest for scanning;
• a positioner in a form of a fixed arch with ends configured to be supported on and aligned with the base to define an arched tubular region for the object of interest;
• fasteners configured to detachably attach the lower ends of the positioner to the base to form the arched tubular region around the object of interest for MR imaging and detach the lower ends of the positioner from the base to facilitate removal of the object of interest;
• and
• an upper section having at least one RF coil array for acquiring induced MR signals and having a lower surface configured to be positioned over and supported by the positioner and to increase rigidity of the positioner.

A process of configuring a radio-frequency (RF) coil for scanning an object of interest (OOI), the process comprising acts of:

• positioning the OOI upon a support surface of a base, the base having opposed sides and base fasteners situated on each of the opposed sides;
• lowering a positioner over the OOI, the positioner having an arched body extending between opposed ends and positioner fasteners situated at the opposed ends of the arched body;
• after lowering the positioner over the OOI, coupling the positioner to the base by attaching the positioner fasteners of the positioner to adjacent corresponding base fasteners of the base;
• and
• guiding, by the positioner, an upper section into a desired position relative to the OOI, the upper section having at least one RF coil array configured for acquiring induced MR signals, the upper section having a lower surface configured to be disposed on and supported by an upper surface of the positioner.