US6150816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio-frequency coil array for resonance analysis
Assignee: Advanced Imaging Research Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-24
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Granted: 2000-11-21
•
Expires: 2018-02-24
Abstract
Abstract An RF coil array which includes first and second RF coils that are overlapped to eliminate their coupling (to maintain zero mutual inductance between them) through space, a third coil connecting the first and second coils such that there is no net coupling between the first two coils through the third coil, and in which all three coils are well isolated from one another at the resonance frequency or frequencies of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Ravi Srinivasan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/32; G01R33/36; G01R33/3678; G01R33/34; G01R33/341; G01R33/3415; G01R33/3642; G01R33/365; G01N; G01N24/00; G01N24/08; G01N24/084; G01R33/3664; G01R33/44; G01R33/441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil electrically connected and located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that there is substantially zero net current flow between the first RF coil and the second RF coil via the third RF coil, each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil being substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil electrically connected and located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that there is substantially zero net current flow between the first RF coil and the second RF coil via the third RF coil, each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil being substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are sufficiently isolated from one another to maintain predefined current distributions and mode orientations for the respective coils.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the third RF coil has a field-of-view which is similar as compared to a combined field-of-view of the first RF coil and the second RF coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are volume type coils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 4, wherein each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are birdcage type coils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The coil array of claim 5, wherein the coil array is sized to receive at least one of a human head, a human knee, and a human wrist within the first RF coil second RF coil and third RF coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coil array of claim 5, further comprising a fourth RF coil positioned toward an end of the coil array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coil array of claim 5, wherein the coil array is sized to receive a human head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coil array of claim 5, wherein the coil array is sized to receive a human head and neck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 4, wherein each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are solenoid type coils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The coil array of claim 10, wherein the coil array is sized to receive at least one of a human head, knee, wrist or torso within the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are surface type coils.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The coil array of claim 12, further comprising a fourth RF coil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the net shared magnetic flux between the first RF coil and the second RF coil is substantially zero.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the third RF coil is physically connected to the first RF coil and the second RF coil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the first RF coil and the second RF coil maintain substantially similar physical dimensions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil is configured to provide a quadrature output.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coil array of claim 1, further comprising means for selectively turning the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil on and off to control a mode of operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil is a volume type coil, and at least another of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil is a surface type coil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are tuned to the same resonance frequency.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the first RF coil and the second RF coil are tuned to one resonance frequency, and the third RF coil is tuned to another resonance frequency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are tuned to respective different resonance frequencies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system comprising the coil array of claim 1, and further comprising means for driving the coil array during imaging/analysis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
A resonance imaging/analysis system, comprising: an RF coil as recited in claim 1; and means for processing RF signals which are at least one of received from the RF coil and transmitted from the RF coil in order to obtain a resonance image/analysis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The coil array of claim 1, wherein the isolation between the first and second RF coils is substantially the same with the third RF coil as without the third RF coil.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
119 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil electrically connected and located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that there is substantially no net coupling between the first RF coil and the second RF coil via the third RF coil, each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil being substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
119 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil electrically connected and located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that there is substantially no net coupling between the first RF coil and the second RF coil via the third RF coil, each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil being substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The coil array of claim 26, wherein the isolation between the first and second RF coils is substantially the same with the third RF coil as without the third RF coil.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
120 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; wherein a field-of-view of the third RF coil substantially overlaps and is substantially similar to a combined field-of-view of the first and second RF coils.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil are substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; wherein a field-of-view of the third RF coil substantially overlaps and is substantially similar to a combined field-of-view of the first and second RF coils.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 28, wherein the third RF coil is electrically connected to the first RF coil and the second RF coil.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The coil array of claim 28, wherein the third RF coil is electrically connected to the first and second RF coils, and the isolation between the first and second RF coils is substantially the same with the third RF coil as without the third RF coil.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coil array of claim 30, wherein the third RF coil is electrically connected to the first RF coil and the second RF coil.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
143 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that there is substantially no net coupling between the first RF coil and the second RF coil via the third RF coil, each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil being substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; wherein a field-of-view of the third RF coil substantially overlaps and is substantially similar or larger than a combined field-of-view of the first and second RF coils.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
143 words
A radio-frequency (RF) coil array for resonance imaging/analysis, comprising: a first RF coil sensitive to RF signals produced during resonance imaging/analysis; a second RF coil located relative to the first RF coil with substantially no net coupling therebetween at a frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; and a third RF coil located relative to the first RF coil and the second RF coil such that there is substantially no net coupling between the first RF coil and the second RF coil via the third RF coil, each of the first RF coil, second RF coil and third RF coil being substantially isolated from the other coils at the frequency or frequencies of the RF signals; wherein a field-of-view of the third RF coil substantially overlaps and is substantially similar or larger than a combined field-of-view of the first and second RF coils.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The coil array of claim 32, wherein the third RF coil is electrically connected to the first and second RF coils, and the isolation between the first and second RF coils is substantially the same with the third RF coil as without the third RF coil.
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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) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |