EP0257782A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic resonance apparatus
Assignee: Philips Nuclear Medicine Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-07-20
Abstract
Abstract In or for magnetic resonance apparatus, a resonator coil assembly (32) comprising a dielectric sleeve (40) on which a first resonator coil portion (42) and a second resonator coil portion (44), each of copper foil, are adhered. The dielectric sleeve (40) is dimensioned to receive a human torso therein and in one embodiment (Figure 1) is circular in cross section and in another (Figure 4) is elliptical in cross section. A pair of adjustable tuning capacitances (64, 66) and a pair of adjustable matching capacitances (68, 70) are interconnected between one end of each of the coil portions (42, 44) and a metal bore liner (54). The opposite ends of each of the coil portions (42, 44) are capacitively coupled to each other (Figure 1) or to the bore liner (54) (Figure 3). A half wave length cable (72) interconnects the junctions between the first and second tuning (64, 66) and matching (68, 70) capacitances. One of these junctions is connected by a cable (74) with a radio frequency generator (30) and a radio receiver (34).
Inventors
- 👤 George J. Misic
- 👤 John L. Patrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/32; G01R33/34; G01R33/34046; G01R33/34069; G01R33/343; G01R33/36; G01R33/3628; G01R33/34007; G01R33/341
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: means for generating a magnetic field (A) longitudinally through an image region; and a resonator coil assembly (32) including a first coil portion (42) and a second coil portion (44) characterised in that said apparatus further comprises: first and second capacitive networks (60, 62), the first capacitive network (60) being electrically connected between the first coil portion (42) and a ground means (54) and the second capacitive network (62) being electrically connected between the second coil portion (44) and the ground means (54).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: means for generating a magnetic field (A) longitudinally through an image region; and a resonator coil assembly (32) including a first coil portion (42) and a second coil portion (44) characterised in that said apparatus further comprises: first and second capacitive networks (60, 62), the first capacitive network (60) being electrically connected between the first coil portion (42) and a ground means (54) and the second capacitive network (62) being electrically connected between the second coil portion (44) and the ground means (54).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein: said ground means (54) comprises an electrically conductive liner (54) extending longitudinally and around the image region; said first capacitive network (60) comprises a first tuning capacitance (64) electrically connected with the first coil portion (42) and, a first matching capacitance (68) electrically connected between the first tuning capacitance (64) and the electrically conductive liner (54); said second capacitive network (62) comprises a second tuning capacitance (66) electrically connected with the second coil portion (44) and a second matching capacitance (70) electrically connected between the second tuning capacitance (66) and the electrically conductive liner (54); and said apparatus further comprises a radio frequency lead (72) electrically connected with a first junction between the first matching (68) and first tuning capacitances (64) and a second junction between the second matching (70) and second tuning capacitances (66).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the first and second tuning capacitances (64, 66) are electrically connected with one end of the first and second coil portions (42, 44) and said apparatus further includes a capacitive coupling means (88) operatively connected with the opposite ends (84, 86) of the first and second coil portions (42, 44).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the resonator coil assembly (32) further includes a dielectric sleeve (40), the first and second coil portions (42, 44) being mounted on one surface of the sleeve (40) and wherein the capacitive coupling means (88) includes a conductive segment on another surface of the dielectric sleeve (40) partially overlapping each of the first and second coil portions (42, 44) to form capacitive coupling therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the capacitive coupling means (90, 92) includes a first capacitance (90) electrically connected between the first coil portion (42) and the liner (54) and a second capacitance (92) electrically connected between the second coil portion (44) and the liner (54).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
An apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the first and second coil portions (42, 44) are symmetric about a longitudinally extending plane disposed therebetween and wherein the first and second tuning capacitances (64, 66) and the first and second matching capacitances (68, 70) are connected with the first and second coil portions (42, 44) along a line which is perpendicular to the first longitudinally extending plane such that a radio frequency pick-up coil (32) may be disposed parallel to the first longitudinally extending plane to receive magnetic resonance signals without interference with the first and second coil portions (42, 44).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein said radio frequency lead (77) comprises a half wavelength coaxial cable balun.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the first and second tuning capacitances (64, 66) are concurrently adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the first and second matching capacitances (68, 70) are concurrently adjustable.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 9 wherein the first and second coil portions (42, 44) are disposed along a cylindrical sleeve (40).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 9 wherein the first and second coil portions (42, 44) are disposed along an elliptical sleeve (40ʹ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a resonance coil former (40ʹ) having a sleeve of dielectric material dimensioned to receive a human patient's torso therein, said former (40ʹ) extending longitudinally along the magnetic field; and wherein said first and second coil portions (42ʹ, 44ʹ) are disposed along said former (40ʹ).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the ground means includes a grounded annular collar (96) extending around the former (40ʹ).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein the former (40ʹ) is elliptical in cross section.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein the first and second coil portions (42ʹ, 44ʹ) are constructed of metal foil which is adhered to one surface of the former (40ʹ).
Claim 17
Independent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 15 wherein the former (40ʹ) is circular in transverse cross section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the first and second coil portions (42ʹ, 44ʹ) each define at least one window (94) in the metal foil.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 17 wherein the first capacitive network (60ʹ) includes a first tuning capacitance (64ʹ) electrically connected with the first coil portion (42ʹ) and a first matching capacitance (68ʹ) operatively connected between the first tuning capacitance (64ʹ) and the ground means (96); the second capacitive network (62ʹ) includes a second tuning capacitance (66ʹ) electrically connected with the second coil portion (44ʹ) and a second matching capacitance (70ʹ) operatively connected between the second tuning capacitance (66ʹ) and the ground means (96); and the apparatus further comprises a half wave length cable which is connected at one end with a junction between the first matching (68ʹ) and first tuning (64ʹ) capacitances and at its other end with a junction between the second matching (70ʹ) and second tuning (66ʹ) capacitances.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein the tuning and matching capacitances (64ʹ, 66ʹ, 68ʹ, 70ʹ) are adjustable.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 19 wherein the ground means includes a metal sleeve (54) extending longitudinally along the magnetic field and surrounding the dielectric former (40ʹ) and the first and second coil portions (42ʹ, 44ʹ).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
117 words
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: means for generating a magnetic field longitudinally through an image region (A); a resonator coil (44ʺ); receiver means (B) for receiving magnetic resonance signals from said coil (44ʺ); and image reconstruction means (C) for reconstructing an image representation from the received magnetic resonance signals, characterised in that said apparatus further comprises: an electrically conductive liner (54ʺ) extending longitudinally and around the image region, said coil (44ʺ) being disposed within and displaced from said liner (54ʺ); an impedance network (62ʺ) electrically connected between a first end of the coil (44ʺ) and the liner (54ʺ); and a radio frequency lead (74ʺ) operatively connected between the impedance network (62ʺ) and the receiver means (B).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: means for generating a magnetic field longitudinally through an image region (A); a resonator coil (44ʺ); receiver means (B) for receiving magnetic resonance signals from said coil (44ʺ); and image reconstruction means (C) for reconstructing an image representation from the received magnetic resonance signals, characterised in that said apparatus further comprises: an electrically conductive liner (54ʺ) extending longitudinally and around the image region, said coil (44ʺ) being disposed within and displaced from said liner (54ʺ); an impedance network (62ʺ) electrically connected between a first end of the coil (44ʺ) and the liner (54ʺ); and a radio frequency lead (74ʺ) operatively connected between the impedance network (62ʺ) and the receiver means (B).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein the impedance network (62ʺ) includes a tuning capacitance means (66ʺ) for capacitively coupling the radio frequency lead (74ʺ) and the coil (44ʺ) and a matching capacitance means (70ʺ) for capacitively coupling the radio frequency led (74ʺ) and the conductive liner (54ʺ).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
127 words
A half wave length balanced transmission line resonator characterised by: a dielectric sleeve (40) having generally a 1:1 ratio between a length and a major diameter thereof; a first metal foil portion (42) extending along the surface of the dielectric sleeve (40), the first and second foil portions (42, 44) being mirror images of each other and electrically isolated from each other; first and second capacitance networks (66, 62) for capacitively coupling one end of each of the first and second foil portions (42, 44) with ground (54); a half wave length cable (72) connected between the first and second capacitance networks (60, 62); and a capacitance coupling means (88) for capacitively coupling a second end of each of the first and second foil portions (42, 44).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
127 words
A half wave length balanced transmission line resonator characterised by: a dielectric sleeve (40) having generally a 1:1 ratio between a length and a major diameter thereof; a first metal foil portion (42) extending along the surface of the dielectric sleeve (40), the first and second foil portions (42, 44) being mirror images of each other and electrically isolated from each other; first and second capacitance networks (66, 62) for capacitively coupling one end of each of the first and second foil portions (42, 44) with ground (54); a half wave length cable (72) connected between the first and second capacitance networks (60, 62); and a capacitance coupling means (88) for capacitively coupling a second end of each of the first and second foil portions (42, 44).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said resonator coil (44ʺ) is a lumbar coil and said apparatus further comprises a lumbar supporting former (40ʺ) disposed within the conductive liner (54ʺ), said lumbar coil (44ʺ) being operatively connected with the lumbar supporting former (40ʺ).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein the lumbar supporting former (40ʺ) conforms to a patient's back.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 wherein the lumbar coil (44ʺ) is generally planar.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 wherein the lumbar coil (44ʺ) is arcuate in transverse section.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 24 to 27 wherein the impedance network (62ʺ) includes a tuning capacitance (66ʺ) connected between the radio frequency lead (74ʺ) and the lumbar coil (44ʺ) and a matching capacitance (70ʺ) connected between the radio frequency lead (74ʺ) and the liner (54ʺ).
Claim 32
Independent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to any one of Claims 24 to 28 wherein the lumbar coil (44ʺ) includes a sheet of metal foil adhered to the former (40ʺ).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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