Magnetic resonance imaging system and method using frequency calibration based on a signal from a geo-satellite positioning system
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.
InventorsTim Nielsen, Christoph Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel, Oliver Lips
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system (1) uses a first reference frequency signal, obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable long term frequency reference. A second frequency source (24) is calibrated using the first frequency reference signal and the second frequency reference source (24) is then used as the master clock for the MRI system (1), for setting the RF operating frequency.
Claims20
A method of setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system for RF synthesis and reception, comprising:
- using a first reference frequency signal, obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable frequency reference;
- obtaining calibration information for a second frequency source for determining the true frequency, using the first reference frequency signal;
- setting the RF operating frequency, using the second frequency source as the master clock for the MRI system, and using the calibration information;
- and
- measuring the RF operating frequency by:
- placing a magnetic resonance signal probe into the imaging bore of the MRI system;
- and
- measuring a free induction decay using the magnetic resonance signal probe, wherein the magnetic resonance signal probe comprises a frequency reference which is calibrated by a signal obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system.
A system for setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system for RF synthesis and reception, comprising:
- an antenna for receiving a first reference frequency signal (CLK1), from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable frequency reference;
- a second frequency source for functioning as the master clock for the MRI system for setting the RF operating frequency (F0);
- a calibration system for obtaining calibration information for the second frequency source using the first reference frequency signal;
- and
- a magnetic resonance signal probe for insertion into the imaging bore of the MRI system for measuring a free induction decay, wherein the magnetic resonance signal probe comprises a frequency reference which is calibrated by a signal obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.