Surface stationary array coil structure for multi-modality imaging

A PET-MRI apparatus comprising:

• a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF coil assembly coupled to a pulse generator to emit an RF pulse sequence and arranged to receive resulting MR signals from a subject of interest in the bore within an MR field-of-view (FOV);
• a positron emission tomography (PET) system having a detector array encircling the bore, with the detector array being controlled to acquire PET emissions of the subject of interest within a PET detector FOV;
• a patient support assembly configured to provide for support and movement of the subject of interest through the bore to enable acquisition of the MR signals and the PET emissions from the subject of interest, the patient support assembly comprising a cradle configured to accommodate the subject of interest and a bridge configured to receive the cradle and provide for translation therealong;
• and
• a stationary radio frequency (RF) coil structure positioned on the bridge so as to be between the bridge and the cradle and such that a portion of the RF coil structure is within the PET FOV, the RF coil structure comprising:
• a base portion;
• a cover portion positioned over the base portion;
• an array of RF coil elements positioned on the cover portion so as to be positioned within the MR FOV and PET FOV;
• and
• driver electronics configured to control operation of the array of RF coil elements, the driver electronics being positioned within the base portion so as to be positioned outside of the PET FOV;
• wherein the cover portion is contoured so as to match a shape of the cradle;
• and
• wherein the array of RF coil elements is arranged and positioned on the cover portion so as to follow the contours of the cover portion, such that a constant and uniform gap is provided between the array of RF coil elements and the cradle.