Flexible radio frequency coil array with detachable straps for MR imaging

US10969447B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Ceara Delmore Stack · Ravenna, US
• Thomas Grafendorfer · Stanford, US
• Fraser John Laing Robb · Aurora, US
• Steven M. Falk · Baltimore, US
• Yun-Jeong Stickle · Aurora, US
• Taylan Dalveren · North Ridgeville, US
• Guido Kudielka · Munich, DE
• Robert Steven Stormont · Hartland, US
• Scott Allen Lindsay · Waukesha, US
• Victor Taracilla · Cleveland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 20, 2018
• Grant date: Apr 6, 2021
• Expiry date: Dec 24, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/3657
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for radio frequency (RF) coil arrays for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. In an embodiment, a RF coil array assembly for a MRI system includes a compressible body; an upper posterior RF coil array including a first plurality of RF coils embedded in the compressible body; a lower posterior RF coil array including a second plurality of RF coils embedded in the compressible body; and a head and neck RF coil array removably coupled to the upper posterior RF coil array. The head and neck RF coil array includes a third plurality of RF coils embedded in the compressible body, and one or more neck straps configured to fold over a neck of a subject to be imaged by the MRI system.