Transmitting and/or receiving MRI signals for a MRI examination

US10094894B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Fackelmeier · Kelheim, DE
• Sebastian Martius · Forchheim, DE
• Robert Rehner · Fairview Avenue, DE
• Christopher Stumpf · Munich, DE
• Markus Vester · Koblenzer Straße, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 26, 2015
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 27, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/34023
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An arrangement includes a superconducting split ring resonator, a cryostat, and a copper coil. The resonator is arranged in the cryostat and includes at least one ring-shaped conductor made of a superconducting material and including an opening and a taper. The copper coil may be used to transmit a MRI excitation signal. This signal causes a current to be induced in the conductor that leads to the breakdown of the superconductivity. The conductor is detuned and therefore no longer develops an interfering effect. It is possible for the effect of the breakdown of superconductivity to be used for detuning in a targeted manner. After the transmission is complete, the conductor returns into the superconducting state and acts as a superconducting reception antenna for the MRI measurement signal. The copper coil is inductively coupled to the conductor and configured to read out the signal induced in the conductor.