EP0142760A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inductively coupled multi-section radio frequency field coil for NMR
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1984-11-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An NMR radio-frequency (RF) coil is made up, in the preferred embodiment, of upper and lower coil assemblies. Each coil assembly includes a tuned circuit. In operation, only one of the tuned circuits is energized, while the other is mutually inductively coupled such that they resonate together as one circuit at substantially the same frequency. A first set of latches is provided to fasten the lower coil assembly to a patient cradle. A second set of latches is utilized to fasten the upper coil assembly to the lower while permitting relative longitudinal motion between the two assemblies. In another embodiment, which does not utilize mutual inductance, the tuned circuits on each assembly are electrically connected to form a complete coil by means of, for example, an electrical plug-and-jack arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Lee Jaskolski
- 👤 Thomas John Sierocuk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/32; G01R33/36; G01R33/3642; G01R33/34; G01R33/34007; G01R33/34046; G01R33/34069; G01R33/34076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An NMR apparatus: means for producing a polarizing magnetic field; means for positioning in said polarizing magnetic field at least a part of an object to be examined; and RF coil means having first and second separable coil assemblies each supporting a separate coil circuit, said coil assemblies being joinable in operation to form therebetween an aperture for receiving said object portion, said coil circuits being coupled when said coil assenblies are joined and being capable of jointly functioning as a single resonant circuit when at least one of the coil circuits is energized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An NMR apparatus: means for producing a polarizing magnetic field; means for positioning in said polarizing magnetic field at least a part of an object to be examined; and RF coil means having first and second separable coil assemblies each supporting a separate coil circuit, said coil assemblies being joinable in operation to form therebetween an aperture for receiving said object portion, said coil circuits being coupled when said coil assenblies are joined and being capable of jointly functioning as a single resonant circuit when at least one of the coil circuits is energized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said coil circuits comprise tuned circuits and wherein each of said coil assemblies supports one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said first and second coil assenblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending therefrom co-extensively with said means for positioning, said flanges forming a surface complementarily shaped to that of said means for positioning such that said lower assembly is firmly supported by said means for positioning.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 3 further comprising first latch means for engaging said longitudinal flanges and said means for positioning so as to releasably fasten thereto said lower coil assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 4 further comprising second latch means for slidably securing said upper coil assembly to said lower coil assembly so as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said lower coil assembly is provided with flanges at the parts thereof nearest said upper coil assembly, said last-mentioned flanges being engagable by said second latch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein each of said coil assemblies is provided with electrical contact means connected to the coil circuit associated therewith, said contact means being capable of forming an electrically conductive connection between said coil circuits when said assemblies are joined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said first and second coil assemblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending therefrom co-extensively with said means for positioning, said flanges forming a surface complementarily shaped to that of said means for positioning such that said lower assembly is firmly supported by said means for positioning.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 8 further comprising first latch means for engaging said longitudinal flanges and said means for positioning so as to releasably fasten thereto said lower coil assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 9 further comprising second latch means for slidably securing said upper coil assembly to said lower coil assembly so as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of Claim 10 wherein said lower coil assembly is provided with flanges at the parts thereof nearest said upper coil assembly, said last-mentioned flanges being engagable by said second latch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said lower coil assembly is affixed to and forms part of said means for positioning.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
An NMR apparatus comprising: means for producing a polarizing magnetic field; means for positioning in said polarizing magnetic field at least a portion of an object to be examined; RF coil means having first and second separable assemblies,'said first assembly being-fastenable to said means for positioning, said second assembly being, in operation, slidably fastenable to said first assembly to form jointly therewith said RF coil means having an aperture therein for receiving said object portion, said first and second parts being coupled to operate jointly as a single resonant circuit when one of said coil circuits is energized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
An NMR apparatus comprising: means for producing a polarizing magnetic field; means for positioning in said polarizing magnetic field at least a portion of an object to be examined; RF coil means having first and second separable assemblies,'said first assembly being-fastenable to said means for positioning, said second assembly being, in operation, slidably fastenable to said first assembly to form jointly therewith said RF coil means having an aperture therein for receiving said object portion, said first and second parts being coupled to operate jointly as a single resonant circuit when one of said coil circuits is energized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said coil circuits eamprise tuned circuits and wherein each of said coil assemblies supports one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein said first and second coil assemblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending therefrom co-extensivejy with said means for positioning, said flanges forming a surface complementarily shaped to that of said means for positioning such that said lower assembly is firmly supported by said means for positioning.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 further comprising first latch means for engaging said longitudinal flanges and said means for positioning so as to releasably fasten thereto said lower coil assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 16 further comprising second latch means for slidably securing said upper coil assembly to said lower coil assembly so as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein said lower coil assembly is provided with flanges at the parts thereof nearest said upper coil assembly, said last-mentioned flanges being engagable by said second latch means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein each of said coil assemblies is provided with electrical contact means connected to the coil circuit associated therewith, said contact means being capable of forming an electrically conductive connection between said coil circuits when said assemblies are joined.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said lower coil assembly is affixed to and forms part of said means for positioning.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
An NMR RF coil ca p prising first and second separable coil assemblies each supporting a separate coil circuit, said coil assemblies being joinable in operation to form therebetween an aperture for receiving a portion of an object to be studied, said coil circuits being coupled when said coil assemblies are joined and being capable of jointly functioning as a single resonant circuit when at least one of the coil circuits is energized.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
An NMR RF coil ca p prising first and second separable coil assemblies each supporting a separate coil circuit, said coil assemblies being joinable in operation to form therebetween an aperture for receiving a portion of an object to be studied, said coil circuits being coupled when said coil assemblies are joined and being capable of jointly functioning as a single resonant circuit when at least one of the coil circuits is energized.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The RF coil of Claim 21 wherein said coil circuits comprise tuned circuits and wherein each of said coil assemblies supports one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The RF coil of Claim 22 wherein said first and second coil assemblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending therefrom.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The RF coil of Claim 23 further comprising first latch means for engaging said longitudinal flanges.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The RF coil of Claim 24 further comprising second latch means for slidably securing said upper coil assembly to said lower coil assembly so as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The RF coil of Claim 25 wherein said lower coil assembly is provided with flanges at the parts thereof nearest said upper coil assembly, said last-mentioned flanges being engagable by said second latch means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The RF coil of Claim 21 wherein each of said coil assemblies is provided with electrical contact means connected to the coil circuit associated therewith, said contact means being capable of forming an electrically conductive connection between said coil circuits when said assemblies are joined.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The RF coil of Claim 27 wherein said first and second coil assemblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending therefrom.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
- 29. The RF coil of Claim 28 further comprising first latch means for engaging said longitudinal flanges and said means for positioning so as to releasably fasten thereto said lower coil assembly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The RF coil of Claim 29 further comprising second latch means for slidably securing said upper coil assembly to said lower coil assembly so as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The RF coil of Claim 30 wherein said lower coil assembly is provided with flanges at the parts thereof nearest said upper coil assembly, said last-mentioned flanges being engagable by said second latch means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The RF coil of Claim 21 wherein said lower coil assembly is affixed to and forms part of said means for positioning.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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