Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for acquiring off-axis X-ray images of a plurality of regions of interest. The apparatus includes a source producing a beam of radiation, a surface to support at least a subset of the plurality of regions of interest, and a X-ray detector located to simultaneously receive portions of the beam that have passed through the subset of the plurality of regions of interest. The X-ray detector produces from the received portions of the beam an electronic representation of an image for each region of interest in the subset of the plurality of regions of interest. Any combination of the source, the surface, and the detector may be moveable to position the regions of interest within the beam.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging receiver/transmitter coil system for providing images for regions of interest includes a first phased array formed of a plurality of electrically conductive members and defining an array volume and a second phased array formed of a second plurality of electrically conductive members and disposed at least partially within the defined array volume. At least one of the first and second phased arrays is adapted to apply a magnetic field to the defined array volume. At least one of the first and second phased arrays is further adapted to receive said applied magnetic field. The first phased array is extendible to define a further array volume and is provided with a switch for electrically coupling and decoupling an extension to effectively extend the length of the first phased array and thereby define the further array volume. In this manner the length of the first phased array is effectively extended to approximately twice its unextended length.

Abstract: A coil interface for coupling a phased array magnetic resonance imaging coil to a magnetic resonance imaging system. The coil interface includes a plurality of signal inputs and a plurality of output ports. Each of the output ports is associated with a receiver in the magnetic resonance imaging system. The coil interface also includes an interface circuit. The interface circuit selectively couples at least two of the signal inputs to at least one of the plurality of input ports. Where the coil is a quadrature phased array coil, a preferred embodiment allows the two quadrature signals to be acquired as a single signal, precombined at the RF level within the coil interface, or as two separate RF signals by two of the receivers of the magnetic resonance imaging system hardware.

Abstract: A method for creating improved homogeneity in magnetic flux density in a radio frequency resonator for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the human head. A tapered birdcage resonator is also provided. The tapered birdcage resonator includes two electrically conductive rings and a plurality of rods or conductor legs. The first electrically conductive ring forms an inferior end of the coil. The plurality of legs extends from the first electrically conductive ring. Each of the plurality of legs has a linear portion and a tapered portion. The second electrically conductive ring forms a superior end of the coil and is connected to the tapered portion of the plurality of legs.

Abstract: An interface that couples a surface coil array having N receiving elements to an NMR scanner having M preamplifier inputs. The interface includes an RF switch array and a transmit/receive bias circuit. The RF switch array and the transmit/receive bias circuit are controlled by a control logic circuit. In response to a predetermined input, the control logic circuit causes a predetermined subset of the N receiving elements to be couple to the preamplifier inputs of the NMR scanner. Preferably, N may be larger than M.