Method and apparatus for high-gain magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneeTursiop Technologies LLC
InventorRaju R. Viswanathan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging with specialized imaging coils possessing high Signal-to-Noise-Ratios (SNR). Radio Frequency transmitting and/or Radio Frequency receiving elements include carbon nanotube material, a ballistic electrical conductor having a resistance that does not increase significantly with length. The shapes of the receiving and transmitting elements can be linear, curvilinear, or coiled. The carbon nanotube material can be layered. Due to their enhanced SNR properties, preferred embodiments have smaller static magnetic field strengths with imaging quality comparable to known field systems, leading to substantial reductions in system size and cost. Other preferred embodiments provide enhanced imaging with known MRI static magnetic field strengths.
Claims12
A magnetic resonance imaging system having an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, the system comprising:
- a magnet system for providing a static magnetic field;
- and
- at least one RF receiving coil assembly, the RF receiving coil assembly including:
- at least one RF receiving coil constructed at least partly from an electrical conducting element consisting essentially of layered carbon nanotube material;
- and
- RF receiving circuitry having a maximized quality factor.
An RF receiving coil assembly for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the RF receiving coil assembly comprising:
- at least one RF receiving coil constructed at least partly from an electrical conducting element consisting essentially of layered carbon nanotube material;
- and
- RF receiving circuitry having a maximized quality factor.
A magnetic resonance imaging system having an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, the system comprising:
- a magnet system for providing a static magnetic field;
- and
- at least one RF receiving coil assembly, the RF receiving coil assembly including:
- at least one RF receiving coil constructed at least partly from an electrical conducting element consisting essentially of carbon nanotube material, the conducting element being characterized by one of:
- a substantially straight geometry;
- a substantially curvilinear geometry;
- and a coil geometry with between 0.5 and 10 complete windings;
- and
- RF receiving circuitry having a maximized quality factor.
An RF receiving coil assembly for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the RF receiving coil assembly comprising:
- at least one RF receiving coil constructed at least partly from an electrical conducting element consisting essentially of carbon nanotube material, the conducting element being characterized by one of:
- a substantially straight geometry;
- a substantially curvilinear geometry;
- and
- a coil geometry with between 0.5 and 10 complete windings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.