Radio frequency gradient, shim and parallel imaging coil
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsJohn Thomas Vaughan, Jr., Kamil Ugurbil, Gregor Adriany
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of linear current elements are configured about a specimen to be imaged. A current in each current element is controlled independent of a current in other current elements to select a gradient and to provide radio frequency shimming. Each current element is driven by a separate channel of a transmitter and connected to a separate channel of a multi-channel receiver. The impedance, and therefore, the current, in each current element is controlled mechanically or electrically.
Claims30
A radio frequency coil comprising:
- a plurality of discrete resonant current elements disposed about a region of interest, each current element having a pair of parallel conductors separated by a dielectric and having an adjustable component, the adjustable component having a control line, and the plurality of current elements including at least a first current element, and wherein a current in the current element is determined by the adjustable component and wherein a value of the adjustable component is determined by a signal on the control line.
A system comprising:
- a radio frequency coil having a plurality of discrete resonant current elements about a region of interest, each current element having a pair of parallel conductors separated by a dielectric and having an adjustable component, the adjustable component having a control line, and wherein a current in the current element is determined by the adjustable component, the plurality of current elements including at least a first current element and a second current element;
- and
- a console connected to an adjustable component and adapted to control a value of the adjustable component based on a signal on the control line.
A radio frequency coil comprising:
- a plurality of discrete resonant current elements disposed about a region of interest, each current element having a pair of parallel conductors separated by a dielectric and having an adjustable component including a PIN diode, the adjustable component having a control line, and the plurality of current elements including at least a first current element, and wherein a current in the current element is determined by the adjustable component and wherein a value of the adjustable component is determined by a signal on the control line.
A radio frequency coil comprising:
- a plurality of discrete resonant current elements disposed about a region of interest, each current element having a pair of parallel conductors separated by a dielectric and having an adjustable component including a voractor, the adjustable component having a control line, and the plurality of current elements including at least a first current element, and wherein a current in the current element is determined by the adjustable component and wherein a value of the adjustable component is determined by a signal on the control line.
A system comprising:
- a radio frequency coil having a plurality of discrete resonant current elements about a region of interest, each current element having a pair of parallel conductors separated by a dielectric and having an adjustable component, the adjustable component having a control line, and wherein a current in the current element is determined by the adjustable component, the plurality of current elements including at least a first current element and a second current element;
- an RF transmission line connecting at least one of the plurality of discrete current elements to a transmit-receive switch;
- and
- a console connected to an adjustable component and adapted to control a value of the adjustable component based on a signal on the control line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.