Radio frequency coil tuning methods and apparatus

A tuning system configured to tune a radio frequency coil for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the tuning system comprising:

• a tuning circuit including at least one tuning element configured to affect a frequency at which the radio frequency coil resonates;
• and
• a controller configured to set at least one value for the tuning element to cause the radio frequency coil to resonate at approximately a Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance imaging system determined by the tuning system, wherein:
• the at least one tuning element is arranged across a first output and a second output of the tuning circuit;
• the tuning system further comprises an output connector connected to the first output and the second output of the tuning circuit;
• and
• the output connector is configured to connect to a coil connector of the radio frequency coil.

A magnetic resonance imaging system, comprising:

• a B0 magnet configured to provide a B0 field;
• at least one radiofrequency coil;
• and
• a tuning system configured to tune the at least one radio frequency coil, the tuning system comprising:
• a tuning circuit including at least one tuning element configured to affect a frequency at which the radio frequency coil resonates wherein the at least one tuning element is arranged across a first output and a second output of the tuning circuit;
• and
• a controller configured to set at least one value for the tuning element to cause the radio frequency coil to resonate at approximately a Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance imaging system determined by the tuning system;
• and
• an output connector connected to the first output and the second output of the tuning circuit, wherein the output connector is configured to connect to a coil connector of the radio frequency coil.