Open architecture imaging apparatus and coil system for magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneeHologic, Inc.
InventorsCameron Anthony Piron, Christopher Alexander Luginbuhl, Donald B. Plewes
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.
Claims27
An RF coil for use with an MRI scanner having a main magnetic field to perform MRI in a volume of interest comprising:
- a first RF coil array configured to be adjacent to the volume of interest comprising a first plurality of RF coil elements, the first RF coil array having a reception sensitivity to a B1 field substantially oriented in a first direction throughout the volume of interest wherein the first direction is configured to be orthogonal to the main magnetic field of the MRI scanner;
- and
- a second RF coil array, configured to be positionable on the opposite side of the volume of interest, the second RF coil array moveably coupled to the first RF coil array to enable the first RF coil array and second RF coil array to be moved together for immobilization of the volume of interest there between, the second RF coil array comprising a second plurality of RF coil elements, the second RF coil array having a reception sensitivity to a B1 field oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and to the main magnetic field of the MRI scanner throughout the volume of interest.
An RF coil for use with an MRI scanner to perform unilateral or bilateral imaging of a patient's breasts comprising:
- a medial support structure comprising a left medial RF coil element and a right medial RF coil element mechanically coupled to and offset from the left medial RF coil element;
- a left lateral RF coil element moveably coupled to the medial support structure and offset from the left medial RF coil element at a distance selected and configured to received the patient's left breast, the left lateral RF coil element adapted for movement towards the left medial RF coil element to enable immobilization of the patient's left breast there between;
- and
- a right lateral RF coil element moveably coupled to the medial support structure and offset from the right medial RF coil element at a distance selected and configured to receive the patient's right breast, the right lateral RF coil element adapted for movement towards the right medial RF coil element to enable immobilization of the patient's right breast therebetween, and
- wherein the right lateral RF coil element is selected and configured to have a reception sensitivity to B1 fields oriented in a first direction throughout the patient's right breast and the right medial RF coil element is selected and configured to have a reception sensitivity to B1 fields oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction throughout the patient's right breast to substantially inductively decouple the right lateral RF coil element from the right medial RF coil element, and
- wherein the left lateral RF coil element is selected and configured to have a reception sensitivity to B1 fields in a second direction throughout the patient's left breast and the left medial RF coil element is selected and configured to have a reception sensitivity to B1 fields oriented substantially orthogonal to the second direction throughout the patient's left breast to substantially inductively decouple the left lateral RF coil element from the left medial RF coil element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.