Dual tuned MRI resonator and coil package and method

A frequency converter and receiver system for use with a dual frequency coil package used in an MRI system, the frequency converter and receiver system comprising:

• a switchable receiver configured with one or more channels each configured to receive at least two frequencies, including at least a first frequency and a second frequency, each of the one or more channels comprising:
• an input configured to receive the at least two frequencies,
• an output configured to output the first frequency,
• a first frequency path configured to pass the first frequency between the input and the output,
• a second frequency path configured to convert the second frequency to the first frequency between the input and the output,
• a first switch configured to switch electrical communication from the input between the first and second frequency paths, and
• a second switch configured to switch electrical communication to the output between the first and second frequency paths;
• and
• a frequency converter configured to receive the first frequency, convert the first frequency to the second frequency by translating the first frequency using frequency conversion logic, and output the second frequency;
• wherein the switchable receiver and the frequency converter are configured to be in electrical communication such that the first and second frequencies are in phase after frequency conversions.

A dual frequency coil package system for use in transmitting and receiving at least two frequencies in an MRI system, the dual frequency coil package system comprising:

• a frequency converter configured to be selectively coupled to a local transmit coil port of the MRI system, to receive a first frequency through the local transmit coil port, to convert the first frequency to the second frequency by translating the first frequency using frequency conversion logic, and to output the second frequency;
• a second frequency transmit coil configured to be in electrical communication with the frequency converter so as to receive the second frequency from the frequency converter and to transmit the second frequency in operative communication with the MRI system;
• a dual tuned receiver coil configured to receive at least two frequencies, including at least the first frequency and the second frequency, and to output the at least two frequencies;
• and
• a switchable receiver configured to receive the at least two frequencies output from the dual tuned receiver coil, including at least the first frequency and the second frequency, and configured to be in electrical communication with the dual tuned receiver coil and selectively coupled to a local receiver coil port of the MRI system such that the switchable receiver and dual tuned receiver coil are in operative communication with the MRI system;
• wherein the switchable receiver is configured to transmit the first frequency received from the dual tuned receiver coil directly to the MRI system and to convert the second frequency received from the dual tuned receiver coil to the first frequency before transmission to the MRI system.

A method of using a dual frequency coil package in an MRI system, the method comprising:

• connecting a dual tuned coil package to local transmit and receive ports of the MRI system;
• converting a first frequency transmit power signal transmitted from the MRI system through the local transmit port to a second frequency transmit power signal by translating the first frequency transmit power signal using frequency conversion logic;
• tuning dual tuned resonators to a second frequency signal operating mode;
• converting second frequency signals received from resonators during a transmit pulse to the first frequency;
• and
• transmitting received first and converted first frequency signals to the local receive port of the MRI system for image processing.

A dual frequency coil package used in transmitting and receiving at least two frequencies in an MRI system, the dual frequency coil package comprising:

• a dual tuned receiver coil configured with one or more resonators that are tunable so as to receive at least two frequencies, including at least a first frequency and a second frequency, and one amplifier for each of the one or more resonators to amplify a signal transmitted by the dual tuned receiver coil at the first frequency and the second frequency, in operative communication with the MRI system through a first local port of the MRI system;
• and
• a second frequency transmit coil configured to transmit the second frequency in operative communication with the MRI system through a second local port of the MRI system;
• wherein each of the one or more resonators comprises:
• one or more fixed capacitors configured to generate resonance of the respective one or more resonators at the first frequency,
• one or more variable frequency capacitors configured to shift the generated resonance of the respective one or more resonators to the second frequency in response to being activated, and
• a preamplifier circuit configured to respectively amplify the first and second frequencies and match an output impedance of the respective one or more resonators to a receiver of the MRI system,
• wherein an active bandwidth or center frequency of the preamplifier circuit is shifted by changing an input impedance of the preamplifier circuit.

A dual frequency coil package used in transmitting and receiving at least two frequencies in an MRI system, the dual frequency coil package comprising:

• a dual tuned receiver coil configured with one or more resonators that are tunable so as to receive at least two frequencies, including at least a first frequency and a second frequency, and one amplifier for each of the one or more resonators to amplify a signal transmitted by the dual tuned receiver coil at the first frequency and the second frequency, in operative communication with the MRI system through a first local port of the MRI system;
• and
• a second frequency transmit coil configured to transmit the second frequency in operative communication with the MRI system through a second local port of the MRI system;
• wherein each of the one or more resonators comprises:
• one or more fixed capacitors configured to generate resonance of the respective one or more resonators at the first frequency,
• one or more variable frequency capacitors configured to shift the generated resonance of the respective one or more resonators to the second frequency in response to being activated,
• a first frequency decoupler configured to passively decouple the respective one or more resonators at the first frequency, and
• a second frequency decoupler configured to decouple the respective one or more resonators at the second frequency.