Abstract: A warm bore cylinder assembly having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a plurality of braces is provided. The outer wall is configured to define an inner exterior portion of a cryostat assembly. The outer wall is generally cylindrical, is made of a conductive material, and has an outer wall thickness. The inner wall is disposed radially inwardly of the outer wall. The inner wall is generally cylindrical, is made of a conductive material, and has an inner wall thickness. The braces extend along an axial direction defined by the outer wall and the inner wall. The plurality of braces are interposed between and join the outer wall and inner wall. The plurality of braces define openings disposed between adjacent braces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a receive coil assembly for use in magnetic resonance imaging of breast tissue. In certain embodiments the assembly comprises separable parts: a configurable mechanical support and a flexible receive coil array. The adjustability and separability of the receive coil array relative to the mechanical support allows the receive coil array to substantially conform to the breasts of the patient during imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a receive coil assembly for use in magnetic resonance imaging of breast tissue. In certain embodiments the assembly comprises separable parts: a configurable mechanical support and a flexible receive coil array. The adjustability and separability of the receive coil array relative to the mechanical support allows the receive coil array to substantially conform to the breasts of the patient during imaging.

Abstract: A system for inductively communicating signals in a magnetic resonance imaging system is presented. The system in one embodiment includes a first array of primary coils disposed on a patient cradle of the imaging system, and configured to acquire data from a patient positioned on the patient cradle. Additionally, the system includes a second array of secondary coils disposed under the patient cradle, wherein a number of secondary coils is less than or equal to the number of primary coils, wherein the first array of primary coils is configured to inductively communicate the acquired data to the second array of secondary coils.

Abstract: A warm bore cylinder assembly having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a plurality of braces is provided. The outer wall is configured to define an inner exterior portion of a cryostat assembly. The outer wall is generally cylindrical, is made of a conductive material, and has an outer wall thickness. The inner wall is disposed radially inwardly of the outer wall. The inner wall is generally cylindrical, is made of a conductive material, and has an inner wall thickness. The braces extend along an axial direction defined by the outer wall and the inner wall. The plurality of braces are interposed between and join the outer wall and inner wall. The plurality of braces define openings disposed between adjacent braces.

Abstract: A system for communicating data in a magnetic resonance imaging system in one embodiment includes a first array of receiver coils disposed on a first flexible substrate having at least one edge, wherein the flexible substrate is configured to be disposed upon or under a section of a patient under exam, wherein the first array of receiver coils is configured to acquire imaging data from the patient positioned on a patient support in the imaging system. Additionally, the system includes at least one blanket connector disposed along the at least one edge of the first flexible substrate, wherein the at least one blanket connector is electrically coupled to the first array of receiver coils in the first flexible substrate.

Abstract: A system for inductively communicating signals in a magnetic resonance imaging system is presented. The system in one embodiment includes a first array of primary coils disposed on a patient cradle of the imaging system, and configured to acquire data from a patient positioned on the patient cradle. Additionally, the system includes a second array of secondary coils disposed under the patient cradle, wherein a number of secondary coils is less than or equal to the number of primary coils, wherein the first array of primary coils is configured to inductively communicate the acquired data to the second array of secondary coils.

Abstract: A hybrid microstrip coil for magnetic resonance imaging including a microstrip assembly aligned in the superior/inferior (S/I) direction. In one example, the microstrip assembly has conductive strips disposed on one side of a substrate corresponding shield planes disposed on the other side of the substrate. The microstrip assemblies are coupled together by coaxial sections forming a continuous transmission line and having a specific overall electrical length.

Abstract: A hybrid microstrip coil for magnetic resonance imaging including a microstrip assembly aligned in the superior/inferior (S/I) direction. In one example, the microstrip assembly has conductive strips disposed on one side of a substrate corresponding shield planes disposed on the other side of the substrate. The microstrip assemblies are coupled together by coaxial sections forming a continuous transmission line and having a specific overall electrical length.

Abstract: In one aspect, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device includes a non-magnetic, thermally conductive spreader substrate having a broken metal layer coupled to a thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive layer, wherein the broken metal layer is configured to exchange heat with at least one serpentine cooling tube.

Abstract: A cryogenically cooled radiofrequency (RF) coil structure for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and method for cryogenically cooling RF coils are provided. The cryogenically cooled RF coil structure comprises a sealed structure constructed of non-conducting material and adapted for containing a cooling substance and at least one RF coil disposed integrally in contact with the sealed structure such that sealed structure and integrally disposed RF coil are disposed about an object to be imaged.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a cooling assembly for an electrical component. The assembly includes a non-magnetic, thermally conducting spreader substrate, and at least one serpentine cooling tube disposed on and in thermal contact with the thermally conducting spreader substrate so that said substrate is cooled when the one or more serpentine cooling tubes are operating.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device and a method of imaging a volume of interest is provided. According to one aspect of the present technique, the MRI device includes an attachment portion having a profile at least partially defined by a cross-section thereof, and an array of radio-frequency coils arranged with respect to each other to generally correspond to the profile. In an exemplary embodiment, each coil may have a first turn portion located radially closer to the attachment portion than a second turn portion.

Abstract: An incubator arrangement and radiofrequency (RF) coil are provided for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. The incubator arrangement comprises an enclosure adapted to support a subject in a magnet of the MRI system during imaging and a radiofrequency coil disposed within the enclosure. The RF coil is adapted to provide visual and physical access to the subject, and further adapted to obtain a selected signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: An incubator arrangement and radiofrequency (RF) coil are provided for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. The incubator arrangement comprises an enclosure adapted to support a subject in a magnet of the MRI system during imaging and a radiofrequency coil disposed within the enclosure. The RF coil is adapted to provide visual and physical access to the subject, and further adapted to obtain a selected signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: An insertable intracavity probe for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and therapy of a region of interest proximal to a cavity, the probe having a substantially rigid probe shell for insertion into the cavity. The probe shell is adapted to incorporate at least one device for imaging the region of interest. A guide track is incorporated in the probe shell and is adapted to guide at least one biopsy or therapy device to the region of interest during imaging. Intracavity regions include cervical, rectal, and other regions associated with internal cavities of a patient.

Abstract: An MRI system acquires NMR image data to produce real time anatomic images as an ablation device is guided into contact with target tissues in a patient to be thermally treated. The ablation device includes a resistive element at its operating end which receives alternating current from an ablation control system. The resistive element produces therapeutic heat that treats the target tissues.

Abstract: A novel breast localization and biopsy system employs a chest support for holding the patient in a slightly rotated (20.degree.-30.degree.) prone position allowing the breast tissue hang downward and fit through an opening in the chest support, while holding the other breast against the subject away from the imaging region. A pair of support plates compress the breast tissue. At least one of the support plates has a grid with reference markers for localization and windows allowing a physician access to the breast tissue. A thick biopsy plate with a plurality of holes at marked positions fits into one of the grid openings and guides an interventional device, such a biopsy needle, into a desired location in a lesion. In an alternative embodiment, both breasts fit through the chest support. There are two stabilization plate assemblies, one for each breast and two medical imaging sources. Each source points from the lateral to medial support plate to accomplish imaging of both breasts simultaneously.

Abstract: A patient isolation device is used as a safety device to provide electrical insulation between medical electronic equipment and portions of the equipment which come in contact with the patient. In one implementation of the patient isolation device, an RF coil is incorporated in a catheter connected to medical electronic equipment which tracks the position of the catheter. Typically, there is also medical imaging electronics to provide internal images of the subject along with an indication of the location of the catheter. Typically, the signal from the RF coil is provided to a preamplifier to amplify the signal. The isolation device is placed between the RF coil and the preamplifier such that MR response signals may pass through to the preamplifiers but in the event of a short or electrical malfunction the line voltage will not pass backward into the RF coil causing damage to the patient.

Abstract: Instruments are constructed of a carbon fiber material optionally doped with a doping agent such as iron oxide, the instrument having a magnetic susceptibility being adjusted to a portion of a subject being imaged. Therefore there is little effect upon the lines of magnetic flux and the magnetic field homogeneity, reducing distortion in an MR image. These carbon fiber instruments exhibit virtually no magnetic torsional forces when inserted into a magnetic field. This is important, for example when the instrument is a scalpel. Doped carbon fiber has minimal affect on radiofrequency fields. The instruments do not affect the homogeneity of an applied homogeneous magnetic field or an applied radiofrequency field. Doped carbon fiber exhibits a rigidity large enough to allow construction of high strength instruments such as biopsy needles. It also has the ability to retain a sharp edge, allowing construction of scalpels and cutting instruments.