Asymmetric birdcage coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A birdcage coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the birdcage coil comprising:

• a pair of conductive end rings, each having a generally domed shape in axial cross section;
• a plurality of conductive, elongated rungs extending between the pair of conductive end rings in an axial direction;
• and
• an LC delay circuit incorporated into the pair of rings and the plurality of elongated rungs, the LC delay circuit comprising a plurality of capacitive elements and a plurality of inductive elements;
• wherein at least one of the capacitive elements or inductive elements is varied to provide a uniform rotational velocity of a magnetic field about a circumference of the birdcage coil.

A birdcage coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the birdcage coil comprising:

• a pair of conductive end rings, each having at least one asymmetric dimension in axial cross section;
• a plurality of conductive, elongated rungs extending between the pair of conductive end rings in an axial direction;
• and
• an LC delay circuit incorporated into the pair of rings and the plurality of elongated rungs, the LC delay circuit comprising a plurality of capacitive elements and a plurality of inductive elements;
• wherein circumferential spacing between adjacent elongated rungs is varied to improve homogeneity of a volume excitation.