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US 7,514,926 B2Granted
Spatially reconfigurable magnetic resonance coil
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsGregor Adriany, Pierre-Francois Van de Moortele, Johannes Ritter, William Voje, J. Thomas Vaughan, Kamil Ugurbil
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for a coil having a plurality of resonant elements and an adjustable frame. A position of at least one resonant element can be adjusted relative to at least one other resonant element. A variable impedance is coupled to adjacent resonant elements and the impedance varies as a function of a separation distance. Cables are coupled to each resonant element and are gathered at a junction in a particular manner.
Claims26
A magnetic resonance imaging device comprising:
- a plurality of resonant elements, each resonant element configured to resonate at a particular frequency;
- and
- a frame having a plurality of element holders coupled by a link, wherein each element holder is configured to retain a resonant element and wherein the link is configured to retain each of the element holders in one of a plurality of radial positions relative to at least one other element holder determined as a function of a user selection.
A magnetic resonance imaging device comprising:
- a plurality of resonant elements, each resonant element configured to resonate at a particular frequency;
- an impedance element disposed between adjacent resonant elements, the impedance element including a variable impedance;
- and
- a frame having a plurality of element holders coupled by a link;
- wherein each element holder is configured to retain a resonant element and wherein the link is configured to retain the element holders in one of a plurality of radial positions determined as a function of a user selection, and further wherein the variable impedance has an electrical characteristic that varies as a function of alignment of the first element holder relative to the second element holder.
2 more elements
A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
- a coil having a plurality of resonant elements distributed about a volume, wherein a radial position of at least one resonant element of the plurality of resonant elements, relative to at least one other resonant element, is user selectable;
- a processor coupled to the coil and having executable instructions stored in a memory accessible to the processor;
- a user-operable input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive a user selection for operation of the coil;
- and
- an output device coupled to the processor, the output device configured to generate a result as a function of the user selection.
2 more elements
A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
- a coil having a plurality of resonant elements distributed about a volume, wherein a position of at least one resonant element of the plurality of resonant elements, relative to at least one other resonant element, is user selectable;
- a variable impedance coupled between at least two resonant elements of the plurality of resonant elements, wherein the variable impedance is controlled by, and is a linear function of, a distance between the at least two resonant elements;
- a processor coupled to the coil and having executable instructions stored in a memory accessible to the processor;
- a user-operable input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive a user selection for operation of the coil;
- and
- an output device coupled to the processor, the output device configured to generate a result as a function of the user selection.
3 more elements
A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
- a coil having a plurality of resonant elements distributed about a volume, wherein a position of at least one resonant element of the plurality of resonant elements, relative to at least one other resonant element, is user selectable;
- a variable impedance coupled between at least two resonant elements of the plurality of resonant elements, wherein the variable impedance is controlled by, and is a non-linear function of, a distance between the at least two resonant elements;
- a processor coupled to the coil and having executable instructions stored in a memory accessible to the processor;
- a user-operable input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive a user selection for operation of the coil;
- and
- an output device coupled to the processor, the output device configured to generate a result as a function of the user selection.
3 more elements
A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
- a coil having a plurality of resonant elements distributed about a volume, wherein a position of at least one resonant element of the plurality of resonant elements, relative to at least one other resonant element, is user selectable;
- a plurality of signal lines wherein each resonant element is coupled to a signal line of the plurality of signal lines, a processor coupled to the coil and having executable instructions stored in a memory accessible to the processor;
- a user-operable input device coupled to the processor and configured to receive a user selection for operation of the coil;
- and
- an output device coupled to the processor, the output device configured to generate a result as a function of the user selection.
2 more elements
A method for magnetic resonance imaging comprising:
- positioning a plurality of resonant elements about a volume, each resonant element configured to resonate at a particular frequency;
- and adjusting a user-operable control to cause at least one resonant element to move in a direction independent of at least one other resonant element.
A method for magnetic resonance imaging comprising:
- positioning a plurality of resonant elements about a volume, each resonant element configured to resonate at a particular frequency;
- and adjusting a user-operable control to cause at least one resonant element to move in a radial direction independent of at least one other resonant element, wherein adjusting includes changing a variable impedance component between the at least one resonant element and the at least one other resonant element, and further wherein changing the variable impedance component includes moving a capacitor plate.
A method for magnetic resonance imaging comprising positioning a plurality of resonant elements about a volume, each resonant element configured to resonate at a particular frequency;
- adjusting a user-operable control to cause at least one resonant element to move in a direction independent of at least one other resonant element;
- and adjusting homogeneity of the plurality of resonant elements by positioning a bundle of coaxial lines, each coaxial line coupled to a resonant element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.