Multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging RF coil

A method of servicing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the method comprising:

• providing a multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency (RF) coil, wherein the RF coil has at least four channels, the RF coil being adapted for picking up magnetic resonance signals from an imaging zone of the MRI system, the RF coil including a coil element for each of the channels a socket corresponding to each coil element, wherein the socket is electrically coupled to said corresponding coil element via a respective first transmission line, each socket being adapted for receiving a plug for providing an RF signal via the respective first transmission line to the corresponding coil element, wherein with respect to a predefined RF signal the differences in electrical length between any of the transmission lines are kλ/4, where k is an integer and λ is the wavelength of the RF signal, the RF coil being configured to be driven at the wavelength of the RF signal, wherein the RF coil has four channels with two pairs of the first transmission lines, wherein within each pair the first transmission lines are of the same electrical length as each other, and wherein the differences in electrical length between the first transmission lines of the two pairs is λ/4,
• wherein the MRI system includes a plurality of RF sources, wherein the RF sources are each associated to an associated one of the channels for supplying radio-frequency power to the RF coil via the socket associated to the corresponding channel, for driving the RF coil,
• electrically connecting the RF sources to the respective sockets with electrical cables, wherein with regard to the wavelength all the cables have differences in electrical length between any other cable of nλ/4, where n is an integer resulting in a predefined phase relationship at the sockets;
• and
• acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data by operating the MRI system in a prescribed manner to obtain data for servicing the MRI system.