Mri device with plasma conductor

2:

• The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second gradient coil and a third gradient coil, said second gradient coil generates a second time-dependent gradient magnetic field that passes through said space, said second gradient coil having a second winding that includes a second plasma conductor, said third gradient coil generates a third time-dependent gradient magnetic field that passes through said space, and said third gradient coil having a third winding that includes a third plasma conductor.

3:

• The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plasma conductor includes a vessel configured to contain said plasma, and said vessel having a configuration that generates said time-dependent gradient magnetic field when said plasma is ignited by said exciter.

4:

• The apparatus of claim 1 further including a first transmitting element proximate said space, said first transmitting element configured to emit a first exciting frequency, and a first receiving element proximate said space, said first receiving element responsive to a first emitted frequency, at least one of said first transmitting element and said first receiving element including a plasma element.

5:

• The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first transmitting element includes a first plasma element and said first receiving element includes a second plasma element.

6:

• The apparatus of claim 5 further including a RF exciter selectively generating said plasma in said first and second plasma elements such that only one of said first and second plasma elements is active at a time.

7:

• The apparatus of claim 5 further including a second transmitting element and a second receiving element, said second transmitting element including a third plasma element, said second receiving element including a fourth plasma element, said second transmitting element configured to emit a second exciting frequency, said second receiving element responsive to a second emitted frequency, said second transmitting element positioned between said first transmitting element and said cavity, and said second receiving element positioned between said first receiving element and said cavity.

8:

• The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first exciting frequency is greater than said second exciting frequency of said second transmitting element.

9:

• The apparatus of claim 1 further including a set of photon detectors positioned proximate said cavity, said photon detectors responsive to photons emitted during an annihilation event;
• said photon detectors providing data for positron emission tomography, and said plasma conductor positioned between said photon detectors and said cavity.

10:

• The apparatus of claim 9 further including a first transmitting element proximate said space and a first receiving element proximate said space, said first transmitting element configured to emit a first exciting frequency, said first receiving element responsive to a first emitted frequency, and at least one of said first transmitting element and said first receiving element including a plasma element.

11:

• The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plasma element is included in said first transmitting element, and said first transmitting element positioned between said photon detectors and said cavity.

12:

• The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plasma element is included in said first receiving element, and said first receiving element positioned between said photon detectors and said cavity.

13:

• The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said exciter includes a driver circuit controlling a high voltage power source, said driver circuit including a timer operatively controlling a switch, and said switch selectively applying a high voltage to said plasma conductor to ignite said plasma.

14:

• The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said exciter includes a surfatron that creates said plasma in said plasma conductor.

16:

• The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said RF exciter outputs an excitation signal with a specified duty cycle.

17:

• The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first transmitting element includes a first plasma element and said first receiving element includes a second plasma element.

18:

• The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said RF exciter selectively creates said plasma in said first and second plasma elements such that only one of said first and second plasma elements is active at a time.

19:

• The apparatus of claim 17 further including a second transmitting element and a second receiving element, said second transmitting element including a third plasma element, said second receiving element including a fourth plasma element, said second transmitting element configured to emit a second exciting frequency, said second receiving element responsive to a second emitted frequency, said second transmitting element positioned between said first transmitting element and said cavity, and said second receiving element positioned between said first receiving element and said cavity.

20:

• The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said first exciting frequency is greater than said second exciting frequency of said second transmitting element.

(canceled)

22:

• The apparatus of claim 15 further including a set of photon detectors positioned proximate said cavity, said photon detectors responsive to photons emitted during an annihilation event;
• said photon detectors providing data for positron emission tomography, and said plasma element is positioned between said photon detectors and said cavity.

23:

• The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said plasma element is included in said transmitting element.

24:

• The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said plasma element is included in said receiving element.

25:

• The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said set of gradient coils is positioned between said photon detectors and said cavity.

26:

• The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said RF exciter includes a driver circuit controlling a high voltage power source, said driver circuit including a timer operatively controlling a switch, said switch selectively applying a high voltage to said plasma element to ignite said plasma.

27:

• The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first transmitting element includes said plasma element and said RF exciter includes a surfatron that creates said plasma in said plasma element, said surfatron applying a signal to said first transmitting element to generate RF energy at said first exciting frequency.