Magnetic resonance RF coil assembly for imaging of the cervical region

A radio-frequency (RF) coil assembly for transmitting and receiving RF signals in a magnetic resonance imaging sequence for obtaining an image of the cervical region of a patient, said assembly comprising:

• an applicator assembly comprising a circular housing having a housing shape configured for extracorporeal placement against the cervical region of a patient, and a tandem applicator housing proceeding through a center of the circular housing and configured for intracorporeal placement in the cervix of the patient;
• a loop coil contained in said circular housing and having a coil diameter conforming to said housing shape, said loop coil forming a loop antenna;
• a loopless antenna contained in said tandem applicator housing, said loopless antenna having a loopless antenna axis proceeding therethrough;
• said loop coil being disposed in a plane in said circular housing that is substantially orthogonal to said loopless antenna axis;
• a first electrical conductor connected at a first end to said loop coil, and having a second end comprising a connector adapted for supplying RF energy to said loop coil and for emitting RF signals detected by said loop coil functioning as said loop antenna;
• and
• a second electrical conductor connected at a first end to said loopless antenna, and having a second end comprising a connector adapted for supplying RF energy to said loopless antenna and for emitting RF signals detected by said loopless antenna.