MR method utilizing inductively coupled receiving coil systems
AssigneeU.S. Philips Corporation
InventorPeter Bornert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic resonance (MR) method utilizes a plurality of inductively coupled receiving coil systems quasisimultaneously to measure a nuclear magnetization distribution in an examination zone. The method involves excitation of the nuclear magnetization in an examination zone, exposed to a uniform, steady magnetic field, by means of at least one RF pulse, multiple rephasing of the exited nuclear magnetization in order to generate a plurality of MR echo signals whose number at least equals the number m of receiving coil systems, and switching over the receiving coil systems in such a manner that, subsequent to said excitation, each receiving coil system receives at least one MR echo signal while at the same time alii respective other coil systems are inactive.
Claims8
An MR method, utilizing a plurality of inductively coupled receiving coil systems, comprising the following steps:
- a) excitation of the nuclear magnetization in an examination zone, exposed to a uniform, steady magnetic field, by means of at least one RF pulse,
- b) multiple rephasing of the excited nuclear magnetization in order to generate a plurality of MR echo signals whose number at least equals the number m of receiving coil systems,
- c) switching over the receiving coil systems in such a manner that subsequent to said excitation each receiving coil system receives at least one MR echo signal while at the same time all respective other coil systems are inactive.
An MR apparatus for measuring a nuclear magnetization distribution in an examination zone, comprising:
- a magnet for generating a uniform, steady magnetic field in the examination zone,
- a coil system which can be connected to a transmitter in order to generate RF pulses for the excitation of the nuclear magnetization in the examination zone,
- gradient coil systems for generating magnetic gradient fields in the examination zone,
- at least two receiving coil systems which are inductively coupled to one another for receiving magnetic-resonance signals from the examination zone when operating in a receiving mode, which magnetic resonance signal are produced as a result of the excited nuclear magnetization,
- switching means for switching over the receiving coil systems in such a manner that each time only one receiving coil system can operate in the receiving mode,
- a control unit for controlling the components of the MR apparatus in such a manner that the following sequence is obtained:
- a) excitation of the nuclear magnetization in an examination zone, exposed to a uniform, steady magnetic field, by means of at least one RF pulse,
- b) multiple rephasing of the excited nuclear magnetization in order to generate a plurality of MR echo signals whose number at least equals the number m of receiving coil systems, and
- c) switching over the receiving coil systems in such a manner that subsequent to said excitation each receiving coil system receives at least one MR echo signal while at the same time all respective other coils are inactive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.