US4975644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging system
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-03-29
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2009-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a plurality of adjacent surface coils for sensing magnetization in a patient. Switches are provided for enabling selected ones of the plurality of coils to output electrical signals. A signal combiner combines the electrical signals from the selected coils into an output signal for further processing. Coupling cancellation networks are provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of coils for cancelling electrical coupling existing therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/32; G01R33/36; G01R33/3664; G01R33/34; G01R33/341; G01R33/3415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A coil system, for a magnetic resonance imaging system, for imaging a selected pattern on an object, comprising: a plurality of adjacent surface coils for sensing a predetermined condition produced in said object and for outputting electrical signals corresponding thereto; means for enabling selected ones of said plurality of coils to output said electrical signals based on said selected pattern; means for combining said electrical signals from the enabled ones of said pluraltiy of coils to provide an output signal; and means for cancelling electrical coupling between adjacent ones of said plurality of coils.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A coil system, for a magnetic resonance imaging system, for imaging a selected pattern on an object, comprising: a plurality of adjacent surface coils for sensing a predetermined condition produced in said object and for outputting electrical signals corresponding thereto; means for enabling selected ones of said plurality of coils to output said electrical signals based on said selected pattern; means for combining said electrical signals from the enabled ones of said pluraltiy of coils to provide an output signal; and means for cancelling electrical coupling between adjacent ones of said plurality of coils.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A coil system according to claim 1, further comprising means for amplifying said electrical signals; wherein said enabling means includes first switch means for selecting said selected ones of said plurality of coils, and second switch means, responsive to an output from said first switch means and to a signal from said MRI system, for causing said selected ones of said plurality of coils to sense said predetermined condition and to output said electrical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A coil system according to claim 2, wherein said enabling means further includes third switch means, responsive to said output from said first switch means, for causing said amplifying means to output only electrical signals corresponding to said selected coils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A coil system according to claim 1, wherein said combining means comprises current summing means for adding together currents output by said selected ones of said plurality of coils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A coil system according to claim 1, further comprising tuning means for tuning each of said plurality of coils to an operating frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A coil system- according to claim 1, further comprising means for cancelling electrical coupling between alternate ones of said plurality of coils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A coil system according to claim 1, wherein said enabling means includes means for decoupling said selected ones of said plurality of coils from a transmitting coil of said magnetic resonance imaging system when said magnetic resonance imaging system is in a transmitting mode, and for enabling said selected ones of said plurality of coils when said magnetic resonance imaging system is in a receive mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A coil system according to claim 1, further comprising an additional plurality of adjacent surface coils disposed in a plane parallel to said plurality of adjacent surface coils for sensing said predetermined condition produced in said object and for outputting electrical signals corresponding thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A coil system according to claim 8, wherein each of said additional plurality of adjacent surface coils is disposed such that a center line thereof is between adjacent ones of said plurality of adjacent surface coils.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |