US5274332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inductively coupled multi-section radio frequency field coil for NMR
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1983-11-14
•
Granted: 1993-12-28
•
Expires: 2003-11-14
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 L. Jaskolski
- 👤 Thomas J. Sierocuk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:46
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: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 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 assemblies are joined and being capable of jointly functioning as a single resonant circuit when at least one of the coil circuits is energized: said coil circuits comprising tuned circuits and said coil assemblies each supporting one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 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 assemblies are joined and being capable of jointly functioning as a single resonant circuit when at least one of the coil circuits is energized: said coil circuits comprising tuned circuits and said coil assemblies each supporting one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 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 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 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 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 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 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 4 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 7
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 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 6 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 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 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 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 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 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 9 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 12
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 13
Dependent Claim
135 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, each supporting a separate coil circuit, 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, said coil circuits comprising tuned circuits and each of said coil assemblies supporting one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 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, each supporting a separate coil circuit, 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, said coil circuits comprising tuned circuits and each of said coil assemblies supporting one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 12 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 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus for claim 13 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 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising second latch means for slidably securing said upper coil assembly to said lower assembly so as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 15 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 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 12 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 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said lower coil assembly is affixed to and forms part of said means for positioning.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
An NMR RF coil comprising 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 circuits is energized, said coil circuits comprising tuned circuits and each of said coil assemblies supporting one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
84 words
An NMR RF coil comprising 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 circuits is energized, said coil circuits comprising tuned circuits and each of said coil assemblies supporting one of said tuned circuits, which tuned circuits are capable of being coupled by mutual inductance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The RF coil of claim 19 wherein said first and second coil assemblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending thereform.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The RF coil of claim 20 further comprising first latch means for engaging said longitudinal flanges.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The RF coil of claim 21 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 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The RF coil of claim 22 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 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The RF coil of claim 19 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 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The RF coil of claim 24 wherein said first and second coil assemblies comprise, respectively, upper and lower coil assemblies, said lower coil assembly having longitudinal flanges extending thereform.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The RF coil of claim 25 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 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The RF coil of claim 26 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 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The RF coil of claim 27 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 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The RF coil of claim 19 wherein said lower coil assembly is affixed to and forms part of said means for positioning.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-27 | 1997-06-28 | 1997-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-27 | 2001-06-28 | 2001-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-27 | 2005-06-28 | 2005-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |