Magnetic resonance imaging excitation and reception methods and apparatus
US5939883A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/3657
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI"), RF power is applied to a region of interest within the patient by a local antenna disposed adjacent the region of interest. The local antenna is excited by RF signals sent through free space from a principal antenna mounted to the primary field magnet of the MRI system. The principal antenna includes one or more loops mounted so that the plane of the loop is transverse to the pole pieces of the magnet frame and so that the plane of the loop is transverse to adjacent metallic portions of the frame. The loops are aligned with openings in the frame so that a patient is advanced into a frame through the loop. The loops do not substantially obstruct axis to the subject receiving space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.