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US5143068A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flexible and curved radio frequency (RF) coil for the human shoulder for magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

Assignee: RESONEX TECHNOLOGY GROUP LLC
•
Filing: 1990-11-26
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Granted: 1992-09-01
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Expires: 2010-11-26
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Abstract

Abstract A flexible, conformally fitted coil for imaging of the human shoulder and topologically similar specimens is in the form of a band of flexible conductive foil covered by a soft flexible insulating material. The geometry of the coil is such that it can pass under the arm and over the top of the shoulder, providing high sensitivity for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the shoulder in MRI apparatus having either a vertical or horizontal axial magnetic field. The flexibility of the coil and the generality of its geometry makes it suitable for examination of patients in a wide variety of sizes. Radio Frequency (RF) Power is delivered to and/or received from the coil via a matching network. The matching network may include a transformer to reduce the necessary current delivered to the coil, or RF current may be injected directly into and extracted directly from the coil. In the case where a transformer is used, the secondary winding is incorporated into the coil in such a fashion as to make the flexible coil removable and replaceable without direct electrical contacts.

Inventors

  • 👤 Frank Muennemann
  • 👤 Rodney Bell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 06:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/45; A61B5/4528; A61B5/05; A61B5/055; G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/32; G01R33/34; G01R33/34046; G01R33/34084; G01R33/36; G01R33/3628

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
A shoulder coil assembly having a predetermined magnetic axis for transmitting and/or receiving signals from a human shoulder produced in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: inductive pickup coil means for substantially surrounding said human shoulder including a thin flexible, unitary, continuous band of conductive material substantially entirely covered with a flexible protective material, the central portion of said band being shaped to conform to the side of the human thorax and pass around the base of the arm, including when the band is laid out flat in substantially a single plane, a substantially 180 degree turn in said central portion around an axis perpendicular to said plane, the ends of the band terminating in connectors for connection to a radio frequency cable for injection and/or extraction of the signals, said protective cover having facing interiors provided with mutually adhering surfaces which, when fastened together provide a conforming fit of the band to the top of the shoulder being imaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 160 words
A shoulder coil assembly having a predetermined magnetic axis for transmitting and/or receiving signals from a human shoulder produced in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: inductive pickup coil means for substantially surrounding said human shoulder including a thin flexible, unitary, continuous band of conductive material substantially entirely covered with a flexible protective material, the central portion of said band being shaped to conform to the side of the human thorax and pass around the base of the arm, including when the band is laid out flat in substantially a single plane, a substantially 180 degree turn in said central portion around an axis perpendicular to said plane, the ends of the band terminating in connectors for connection to a radio frequency cable for injection and/or extraction of the signals, said protective cover having facing interiors provided with mutually adhering surfaces which, when fastened together provide a conforming fit of the band to the top of the shoulder being imaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
An assembly as in claim 1 including sufficient padding integral to the protective cover to place the conducting band a distance from the shoulder appropriate for good RF magnetic field uniformity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An assembly as in claim 2 where said protective material is cloth, and said padding material is flexible foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
An assembly as in claim 1 where said connectors include secondary coil means through which said signals may locally be injected or extracted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
An assembly as in claim 4 including means for adjusting the mutual inductance between a primary coil and the secondary coil means for matching the impedance of said band to that of the transmitting/receiving RF cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
An assembly as in claim 1 where the ends of said band are joined by a clip means for locally assuring adherence of said band near said ends.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4793356A Cited
US4734647A Cited
US4791372A Cited
US5050605A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-09-01 1996-03-02 1996-09-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-09-01 2000-03-02 2000-09-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-09-01 2004-03-02 2004-09-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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