Forward-looking mri imaging for constrained anatomy

Abstract

An extended forward looking RF coil is shaped similarly to the tip of a pencil, for use in imaging and visualization of anatomy or certain conditions, including cancer. The RF coils are designed using the concept of image RF fields. The coils all include an inner void, which is surrounded by a cone-shaped plastic enclosure. A metallic layer is deposited on a surface of the cone and serves as a metallic layer backing the coils. The metallic layer includes a dielectric region, with altered size and geometry. Several solenoidal coil windings are placed outside the dielectric. The coil windings are denser on the Left (Forward) as compared to the Right (Backwards), in order to concentrate the magnetic field in the Forward direction. The extended forward looking coil is further integrated into an anatomy-specific, imaging array with sideways-looking RF coils, intended for improved imaging along cylindrical sides of the pencil-shaped device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.