Transmit/receive switch, a transmit coil array and a receive coil array for MRI

US10168402B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US

Inventors

• Shajan Gunamony · Lörrach, DE
• Jens Hoffmann · Darmstadt, DE
• Klaus Scheffler · Basel, CH
• Rolf Pohmann · Lörrach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2013
• Grant date: Jan 1, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/5659
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to an MRI apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation, comprising: a coil arrangement (1) for transmitting an excitation signal into the subject and for receiving a response signal from the subject; a high-power radio-frequency amplifier (4) for generating the excitation signal; and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying the response signal. The invention provides a transmit/receive switch (5) which is alternatively operable in a transmit mode or in a receive mode. In the transmit mode, the transmit/receive switch (5) transmits the excitation signal to the coil arrangement (1) and protects the low-noise amplifier (LNA) from the outgoing excitation signal. In the receive mode, the transmit/receive switch (5) routes the in coming response signal to the low-noise amplifier (LNA).