Optimized MRI strip array detectors and apparatus, systems and methods related thereto

An MRI system for acquiring image data from a specimen undergoing MRI, said system comprising:

• an MRI detector, the MRI detector including:
• at least one conducting member;
• a ground conducting member;
• a first dielectric portion disposed between the at least one conducting member and the ground member so as to separate and displace the at least one conducting member relative to the ground member;
• wherein a length of the at least one conductor is substantially in the approximate range of about 1.3 times a depth of interest in the sample undergoing MRI;
• and
• wherein the at least one conducting member is tuned to resonate at a desired MRI frequency.

An MRI excitation and detection apparatus, comprising:

• an excitation mechanism that generates signals for exciting nuclei of a specimen undergoing MRI;
• and
• an MRI detector, the MRI detector including:
• at least one conducting member;
• a ground conducting member;
• a first dielectric portion disposed between the at least one conducting member and the ground member so as to separate and displace the at least one conducting member relative to the ground member;
• wherein a length of the at least one conductor is substantially in the approximate range of about 1.3 times a depth of interest in the sample undergoing MRI;
• and
• wherein the at least one conducting member is tuned to resonate at a desired MRI frequency.

A method for imaging a specimen using an MRI process;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• providing an MRI detector, the MRI detector including:
• at least one conducting member,
• a ground conducting member,
• a first dielectric portion disposed between the at least one conducting member and the ground member so as to separate and displace the at least one conducting member relative to the ground member,
• wherein a length of the at least one conductor is substantially in the approximate range of about 1.3 times a depth of interest in the sample undergoing MRI, and
• wherein the at least one conducting member is tuned to resonate at a desired MRI frequency;
• and
• acquiring image date using the provided detector.

A quadrature MRI detector, comprising

• a loop antenna;
• and
• a strip antenna, the strip antenna including:
• at least one conducting member,
• a ground conducting member, and
• a first dielectric portion disposed between the at least one conducting member and the ground member so as to separate and displace the at least one conducting member relative to the ground member.

A quadrature MRI detector, comprising;

• at least one quadrature element, each of the at least one quadrature element including a loop antenna;
• and a strip antenna;
• wherein the strip antenna includes:
• at least one conducting member,
• a ground conducting member,
• a first dielectric portion disposed between the at least one conducting member and the ground member so as to separate and displace the at least one conducting member relative to the ground member.

An MRI antenna for transmitting MRI signals substantially to a depth of interest in a sample for exciting MRI, comprising:

• at least one conducting member;
• a ground conducting member;
• a first dielectric portion disposed between the at least one conducting member and the ground member so as to separate and displace the at least one conducting member relative to the ground member;
• wherein a length of the at least one conductor is substantially in the approximate range of about 1.3 times said depth of interest of a specimen;
• and
• wherein the at least one conducting member is tuned to resonate at a desired MRI frequency.