Interface for coupling an array of coils to a magnetic resonance imaging system

A method of operating an array of N coils with a magnetic resonance (MR) system, said MR system having M inputs, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing N input ports for coupling to said N coils of said array;
• (b) providing M output ports for coupling to said M inputs of said MR system;
• and
• (c) selectively interconnecting said N input ports to said M output ports so that said array of N coils can be selectively operated in a plurality of operational modes, with at least one of said operational modes permitting phased array acquisition.

A magnetic resonance (MR) system comprising:

• (a) a scanner having M inputs;
• (b) an array of N coils;
• and
• (c) a coil interface for coupling said array of N coils to said scanner, said coil interface including:
• (I) N input ports for coupling to said N coils of said array;
• (II) M output ports for coupling to said M inputs of said scanner;
• and
• (III) an interface circuit for selectively interconnecting said N input ports to said M output ports so that said array of N coils can be selectively operated in a plurality of operational modes, with at least one of said operational modes permitting phased array acquisition.

A coil interface for coupling an array of N coils to a magnetic resonance (MR) system, said MR system having M inputs, said coil interface comprising:

• (a) N input ports for coupling to said N coils of said array;
• (b) M output ports for coupling to said M inputs of said MR system;
• and
• (c) an interface circuit capable of (I) selectively coupling a set of at least two of said N input ports to an equal number of said M output ports and (II) selectively coupling at least said set of said N input ports to a lesser number of said M output ports, so that said array can be selectively operated in a plurality of operational modes.

A coil interface for coupling N coils of a coil system to a magnetic resonance (MR) system having M inputs, said coil interface comprising:

• (a) N input ports for coupling to said N coils of said coil system;
• (b) M output ports for coupling to said M inputs of said MR system;
• and
• (c) an interface circuit for changeably interconnecting said N input ports, and thus said N coils, with said M input ports and thereby enable said coil system to be selectively operated in a plurality of operational modes.