Abstract: An ambulance-compatible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for on-site emergency diagnosis includes a mid-field super-conducting head-only magnet including a bore and an active shield arranged relative to the magnet, a passive shield arranged relative to the magnet, the passive shield including a first flange arranged adjacent to a first side of the magnet bore, a second flange arranged adjacent to a second side of the magnet bore, wherein the first flange and the second flange are electrically connected to each other, and wherein the passive shield is operative to capture flux extending out from the magnet bore and return the flux to the magnet. An asymmetric head gradient assembly for generating magnetic gradient field in the mid-field super-conducting magnet is also provided, the magnetic gradient field being between 100-150 mT/m or having a slew rate between 400-800 T/m/s.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance (MRI) system and sub-system are provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a magnet-gradient assembly, an RF shield-body coil assembly and a pediatric MRI sub-system. The pediatric MRI sub-system includes an infant warmer or isolette having a patient section for accommodating a patient. The infant warmer is positionable relative to the magnet-gradient-body coil assembly of the pediatric MRI system. The pediatric MRI sub-system also includes a warming mattress arranged within the patient section of the infant warmer. The infant warming mattress includes an interior space filled at least partially with a host medium and a conduction heating system at least partially arranged in the interior space to conduct heat to the interior space of the infant warming mattress. The pediatric MRI system also includes at least one local radio frequency (RF) coil that is positionable within the patient section of the infant warmer.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to image a portion of a patient. The pediatric MRI system also includes a cryo-cooling mechanism operatively coupled to the RF coil. The cryo-cooling mechanism is configured to maintain a temperature of the RF coil within a prescribed temperature range.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a magnet (9), an isolette (14) including a patient section for accommodating a patient, the isolette positionable relative to the magnet; and a radio frequency (RF) array (10) positionable within the patient section of the isolette (14). The RF array (10) includes a plurality of coils configured for simultaneous imaging of different portions of a patient, the plurality of coils being distinct from one another.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus includes a first air pathway for receiving ambient air and channeling the air through a portion of the breathing apparatus, a heating section operatively coupled to the first air pathway and configured to elevate a temperature of the ambient air in the first air pathway to a first prescribed temperature, and a cooling section operatively coupled to the first air pathway and configured to reduce the temperature of the ambient air heated by the heating section to a second prescribed temperature, the second prescribed temperature lower than the first prescribed temperature. A breathing circuit is coupled to the first air pathway and configured to provide the cooled air to a user.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to image a portion of a patient. The pediatric MRI system also includes a cryo-cooling mechanism operatively coupled to the RF coil. The cryo-cooling mechanism is configured to maintain a temperature of the RF coil within a prescribed temperature range.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance (MRI) system and sub-system are provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a magnet-gradient assembly, an RF shield-body coil assembly and a pediatric MRI sub-system. The pediatric MRI sub-system includes an infant warmer or isolette having a patient section for accommodating a patient. The infant warmer is positionable relative to the magnet-gradient-body coil assembly of the pediatric MRI system. The pediatric MRI sub-system also includes a warming mattress arranged within the patient section of the infant warmer. The infant warming mattress includes an interior space filled at least partially with a host medium and a conduction heating system at least partially arranged in the interior space to conduct heat to the interior space of the infant warming mattress. The pediatric MRI system also includes at least one local radio frequency (RF) coil that is positionable within the patient section of the infant warmer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling a temperature within an isolette includes obtaining a temperature of ambient air external to the isolette, obtaining a base-line ambient air temperature, and calculating a maximum heater power level based on a relationship between the base-line ambient air temperature and the actual ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging sub-system for treating neonates is disclosed. The subsystem includes a radiographic compatible incubator for providing a controlled environment for a neonate, a radiographic compatible RF coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiographic imaging of the neonate, and a radiographic compatible trolley for transporting the incubator and the RF coil. Additionally, the sub-system can include a radiographic MR compatible vital signs monitor, a radiographic compatible infusion pump, a radiographic compatible injector, a radiographic compatible ventilator, a radiographic compatible blender, radiographic compatible intravenous pole, tanks, pressure reducers/gauges and flow pipes.

Abstract: A multi-tune radio frequency (RF) coil for concurrent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is disclosed. The multi-tune RF coil includes a first end ring having a generally annular opening and a first plurality of elongated segments coupled to and positioned circumferentially around the first end ring. The first plurality of elongated segments are azimuthally offset from one another by a substantially equal angular distance. A second RF coil includes a second end ring having a generally annular opening and a second plurality of elongated segments coupled to and positioned circumferentially around the second end ring. The second plurality of elongated segments are azimuthally offset from one another by a substantially equal angular distance.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) pediatric coil for magnetic resonance/imaging analysis is disclosed. The coil includes a first end ring having a generally annular opening, and at least one of a second end ring and an end cap. An anterior extension is formed on the first end ring and on the at least one of the second end ring and the end cap. A plurality of elongated segments are coupled to and positioned circumferentially around the first end ring and the at least one of the second end ring and the end cap to form a coil volume. A first elongated segment and a second elongated segment are spaced about the anterior extension to facilitate access into the coil volume. The coil can be implemented as a standalone coil, or it can be operatively coupled to an incubator to increase the resolution of magnetic resonance scans of a neonate inside the incubator.

Abstract: An RF coil array is provided with increased S/N over the entire imaging FOV. The array design includes a first RF coil spanning the entire FOV, second and third RF coils which together span the entire FOV such that the entire system provides improved S/N over the imaging FOV. An aspect of the invention is the unusual combination of coils in one integrated structure, that are well isolated from one another and maintain preferred current distributions and mode orientations.

Abstract: An RF coil with high signal-to-noise (S/N) and B1 homogeneity over the volume originating from the arctic arch and extending to the top of the head, which is highly desirable for quantitative (anatomical, vascular and functional) studies in-vivo. The coil is suitable for use in performing multiple studies and reducing scan time without patient repositioning. Moreover, the coil is capable of imaging in different operating modes. A split-top design is used to ease patient access.

Abstract: An RF coil array which includes first and second RF coils that are overlapped to eliminate their coupling (to maintain zero mutual inductance between them) through space, a third coil connecting the first and second coils such that there is no net coupling between the first two coils through the third coil, and in which all three coils are well isolated from one another at the resonance frequency or frequencies of interest.

Abstract: An RF coil which includes an RF coil primary, an RF coil secondary, and coupling impedances that connect the two at several points along the coil peripheries. The coupling impedances are primarily reactive, and may be fixed or variable, depending on the purpose of use.