Abstract: Methods and products for cleaning hair trimmings after cutting a person's hair. One of the methods includes applying a microfiber swab to one of the person's ears to remove the loose hair trimmings resulting from cutting the person's hair. Another one of the methods includes attaching a microfiber neck strip to the person's neck prior to cutting the person's hair.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for trapping RF on shields of a multiply shielded RF cable. In some embodiments, the RF trap shorts an outer conductor shield to an inner shield conductor of the cable successively at selected locations along an end length of the shield conductors. Some embodiments provide an RF-trap apparatus for blocking stray signals on a shielded RF cable that has two or more concentric peripheral shield conductors separated from one another by one or more electrically insulating layers, and at least one inner conductor for carrying RF signals. The RF trap apparatus includes: a first housing; and a plurality of projections configured be coupled to the first housing and to move to selectively electrically connect an outer shield conductor to an inner shield conductor by a pierce operation on the shielded RF cable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes a patient-interface positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and a patient interface connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first patient-interface is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first patient-interface at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar patient-interface and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from a plurality of MRI “coil loops” in each of a plurality of coil parts, each coil part having a subset of the total number of coil loops. In some embodiments, a first base part, optionally having no coils, is used to provide support of the plurality of coil parts, wherein the plurality of coil parts include a second part holding back-of-the-head coil loops, a third part holding right-side-of-the-head coil loops, a fourth part holding right-side-of-the-head coil loops, and a fifth part holding top-of-the-head coil loops. In some embodiments, the system provides for repeatable positioning, frequency tuning, and impedance matching such that experimental conditions can be replicated for later examinations of each of a plurality of patients having differing impacts on positioning, tuning and matching of the various coil parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic-resonance spectroscopy (MRS) from radio-frequency (RF) coils that have strongly-coupled coil loop pairs, each pair including a transmit loop and a receive loop, wherein the transmit loop and the receive loop are of equal sizes and shapes and in close proximity to each other, and wherein a suitable attenuated and phase-adjusted version of a transmit pulse is subtracted from a receive signal obtained from tissue being examined to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from a plurality of MRI “coil elements” (antennae), each contained in one or a plurality of body-coil parts, wherein the body-coil parts are easily assemble-able into a body-coil assembly (e.g., in some embodiments, a cylindrical body-coil assembly) with shield elements that are overlapped and/or concentric, and wherein the body-coil assembly is readily disassemble-able for easier shipping, and wherein the body-coil parts are optionally usable individually as transmit (TX) and/or receive (RX) coil elements for MRI. In some embodiments, the system provides for repeatable assembly and disassembly for ease of maintenance (such as frequency tuning and impedance matching) such that the body-coil assembly can be fully assembled and tested, then taken apart for less costly and easier shipping (with reduced risk of damage) and then reassembled at the destination for operation in an MRI system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method that are more efficient and flexible, and obtain and connect high-power RF transmit signals (TX) to RF-coil devices in an MR machine or other devices and simultaneously receive signals (RX) and separate net receive signals NRX) of interest by subtracting or filtering to remove the subtractable portion of the transmit signal (STX) from the RX and preamplifying the NRX and signal processing the preamplified NRX. In some embodiments, signal processing further removes artifacts of the transmitted signal, e.g., by digitizing the NRX signal, storing the digitized NRX signal in a memory, and performing digital signal processing. In some embodiments, the present invention also includes pre-distorting the TX signals in order to be better able to identify and/or remove the remaining artifacts of the transmitted signal from the NRX signal. This solution also applies to other high-power RF-transmit-antennae signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from MRI “coil loops” (antennae) that are overlapped and/or concentric, and each of which has a preamplifier and frequency-tuning circuitry and an impedance-matching circuitry, but wherein the loops optionally sized differently and/or located at different elevations (distances from the patient's tissue) in order to extract signal from otherwise cross-coupled coil loops and to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in images made from the received signal.

Abstract: A clock calibration system is described herein. The clock calibration system may be implemented in a medical device to control timing of an action performed by the medical device. The clock calibration system may include a processing device coupled to a clock oscillator and a reference oscillator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from a plurality of MRI “coil elements” (antennae), each contained in one or a plurality of body-coil parts, wherein the body-coil parts are easily assemble-able into a body-coil assembly (e.g., in some embodiments, a cylindrical body-coil assembly) with shield elements that are overlapped and/or concentric, and wherein the body-coil assembly is readily disassemble-able for easier shipping, and wherein the body-coil parts are optionally usable individually as transmit (TX) and/or receive (RX) coil elements for MRI. In some embodiments, the system provides for repeatable assembly and disassembly for ease of maintenance (such as frequency tuning and impedance matching) such that the body-coil assembly can be fully assembled and tested, then taken apart for less costly and easier shipping (with reduced risk of damage) and then reassembled at the destination for operation in an MRI system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic-resonance spectroscopy (MRS) from radio-frequency (RF) coils that have strongly-coupled coil loop pairs, each pair including a transmit loop and a receive loop, wherein the transmit loop and the receive loop are of equal sizes and shapes and in close proximity to each other, and wherein a suitable attenuated and phase-adjusted version of a transmit pulse is subtracted from a receive signal obtained from tissue being examined to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving RF signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from MR “coils” (antennae) that are arranged in an array next to a tissue-sample-slice holder that constrains the front, back, and edges of the tissue sample and is configured to rotate in a “roll” direction (about an axis parallel to the main DC magnetic field) and optionally also rotate in a pitch direction (at varying angles up and down, left-to-right, or both, relative to the roll axis and thus to the main DC magnetic field); the system optionally includes temperature control (heat and/or cooling), an optical grid that is marked or etched into a cover glass that holds the sample (in some embodiments, the grid is visible in the MRI images as well), an electrical and/or optical stimulation means for delivering stimulation Some embodiments combine optical image data with MR image data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes an earpiece positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and an earpiece connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first earpiece is movably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first earpiece at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar earpiece and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a radially attachable RF trap attached from a side to a shielded RF cable. In some embodiments, the RF trap creates a high impedance on the outer shield of the RF cable at a frequency of RF signals carried on at least one inner conductor of the cable. In some embodiments, an RF-trap apparatus for blocking stray signals on a shielded RF cable that has a peripheral shield conductor and a inner conductor for carrying RF signals includes: a case; an LC circuit having a resonance frequency equal to RF signals carried on the inner conductor; projections that pierce and connect the LC circuit to the shield conductor; and an attachment device that holds the case to the cable with the LC circuit electrically connected to the shield conductor of the shielded RF cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from MRI “coil loops” (antennae) that are overlapped and/or concentric, and each of which has a preamplifier and frequency-tuning circuitry and an impedance-matching circuitry, but wherein the loops optionally sized differently and/or located at different elevations (distances from the patient's tissue) in order to extract signal from otherwise cross-coupled coil loops and to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in images made from the received signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes a patient-interface positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and a patient interface connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first patient-interface is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first patient-interface at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar patient-interface and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).

Abstract: A progressive series of five new coils is described. The first coil solves problems of transmit-field inefficiency and inhomogeneity for heart and body imaging, with a close-fitting, 16-channel TEM conformal array design with efficient shield-capacitance decoupling. The second coil progresses directly from the first with automatic tuning and matching, an innovation of huge importance for multi-channel transmit coils. The third coil combines the second, auto-tuned multi-channel transmitter with a 32-channel receiver for best transmit-efficiency, control, receive-sensitivity and parallel-imaging performance. The final two coils extend the innovative technology of the first three coils to multi-nuclear (31P—1H) designs to make practical human-cardiac imaging and spectroscopy possible for the first time at 7 T.

Abstract: Apparatus and method that includes amplifiers for transceiver antenna elements, and more specifically to power amplifying an RF (radio frequency) signal using a distributed power amplifier having electronic devices (such as field-effect transistors) that are thermally and/or mechanically connected to each one of a plurality of antenna elements (also called coil elements) to form a hybrid coil-amplifier (e.g., for use in a magnetic-resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy machine), and that is optionally adjusted from a remote location, optionally including remotely adjusting its gains, electrical resistances, inductances, and/or capacitances (which controls the magnitude, phase, frequency, spatial profile, and temporal profile of the RF signal)—and, in some embodiments, the components are compatible with, and function in, high fields (such as a magnetic field of up to and exceeding one tesla or even ten tesla or more and/or an electric field of many thousands of volts per meter).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes an earpiece positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and an earpiece connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first earpiece is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first earpiece at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar earpiece and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and method that includes providing a variable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment and based on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In some embodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., a linear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of the method, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance, and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer that controls the moving of the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component. Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedback control in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter.