Abstract: A clip includes a first side portion and a second side portion fastenable together and configured to attach to a broad suture. The first side portion has a first aperture sized to permit passage of the broad suture therethrough. The second side portion has a second aperture sized to permit passage of the broad suture therethrough, and at least one prong in the second aperture configured to penetrate the broad suture. A stopper surface is provided on the first side portion, wherein the prong contacts the stopper surface when the first side portion and the second side portion are fastened together so as to maintain the prong in the broad suture to thereby attach the clip to the broad suture.

Abstract: A clip includes a first side portion and a second side portion fastenable together and configured to attach to a broad suture. The first side portion has a first aperture sized to permit passage of the broad suture therethrough. The second side portion has a second aperture sized to permit passage of the broad suture therethrough, and at least one prong in the second aperture configured to penetrate the broad suture. A stopper surface is provided on the first side portion, wherein the prong contacts the stopper surface when the first side portion and the second side portion are fastened together so as to maintain the prong in the broad suture to thereby attach the clip to the broad suture.

Abstract: A motion sensing MRI coil allows correction of motion-induced image artifacts by the MRI machine or on a machine independent basis using correction circuitry associated with the coil.

Abstract: A phase array coil uses asymmetric loops and selective overlapping to provide a more uniform field sensitivity to magnetic flux passing through the surface defined by multiple such phased array loops.

Abstract: A modular lower coil provides for a head, a vascular and, a thoracic/lumbar element that may interfit or be separated to provide individual imaging of these areas or a combined imaging region stretching from the head to the lower spine. A switch box allows individual ones of these elements to be connected to the MRI machine if necessary because of a limitation of inputs to the machine and provides for decoupling currents to minimize interference between the coil elements when one element is being used.

Abstract: A phased array coil providing spatial discrimination for simultaneous spin acquisition maximizes transverse and longitudinal acceleration through the use of loops having boundaries tipped to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A local coil for magnetic resonance imaging equipment employs mirror conductors on opposite sides of an insulating substrate to produce lower resistance, higher Q and improved signal-to-noise ratio for a given foil thickness.

Abstract: A cable routing system for an MRI coil having multiple loops and multiple signal cables provides a non-resonant conductive ring surrounding the loops and grounded to define a low electrical field region along which the signal cables may be routed for reduced interference.

Abstract: A head coil for magnetic resonance imaging may be shortened longitudinally to provide for better access by a patient. Extension of the coil may be performed after the positioning of the patient's head significantly simplifying patient positioning with respect to the coil. A portion of a conductor support sliding over the patient's head removable to allow endotracheal tubes or the like to remain undisturbed.

Abstract: A local coil for magnetic resonance imaging employs a loop divided by a shunting conductor which reduces sensitivity and field strength at one end of the loop to provide improved homogeneity for different coil configurations.

Abstract: A floating shield current trap provides two resonance loops formed of split concentric tubular conductors joined radially at their axial ends. Adjustment of the separation of these loops provides a change in coupling between the loops effecting a simplified tuning of the resonance of the trap for different expected frequencies of interfering shield current.

Abstract: A floating shield current trap provides first and second concentric tubular conductors electrically connected to provide a resonance-induced high impedance of current flow in a path consisting of the inner and outer conductors and their junctions thereby suppressing coupled current flow on a shield of a conductor contained within the first inner tubular conductor.

Abstract: A flexible peripheral coil for magnetic resonance imaging provides a tapered volume conforming to a patient through the use of multiple flexible leaves of decreasing combined length which enclose progressively smaller cylindrical areas while maintaining correct coil orientation. A freestanding foot coil may be placed over the patient's foot with toes passing through an aperture in the coil to complete the scanning coverage area. Straps allow the various coil leaves to accommodate different body sizes effectively varying the taper of the coil.

Abstract: An RF birdcage coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging of the head provides a set of longer conductors at the bottom of the birdcage so as to create a shelf providing improved imaging of the lower rear portions of a patient's brain without further obstructing the patient's vision or unduly increasing the total enclosed area of the birdcage with an adverse effect on signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: An angiographic coil for performing blood flow studies of the large vessels of the legs and lower pelvis employs an alternating series of coil elements having orthogonal sensitivities arrayed along a cover and base surrounding the legs and lower pelvis and supported thereby. The alternating coil pattern provides good isolation between the coils in a coil that allows easy patient positioning. In a second embodiment, structures having conductors pass between the legs when the patient's legs straddle a divider of the coil form. The coil structure is open on sides to permit easy entrance and exit from the coil by the patient. Multiple coils are used to span the length of the elongate imaging area of the legs and a pre-amplifier network is employed to limit the inductance between other coil and to provide for piecewise imaging of the entire leg and pelvis region.

Abstract: A local gradient coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging provides a system of windings that produces a non-monotonic gradient field. The non-monotonic field provides spatially separate regions experiencing similar gradients and thus does not uniquely identify spatially separate spins. Multiple receiving coils positioned near each of the regions of similar gradient field strength are used to receive the multiple NMR signals. A determination of the sensitivity of these receiving coils may be used to determine the contribution from each spin to the signal produced by each coil thus allowing the superimposed signals to be separated.

Abstract: A quadrature local coil includes two coil sets placed on opposite sides of the patient, each coil set having a single loop and a split loop so as to be sensitive to quadrature components of a flux field substantially centered between the coil sets. Signals are developed from the loops in a manner to reduce current flow in the loops preventing coupling of the opposing loops and the degradation of the signal. The signals may be summed to produce a single signal of improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A local coil for magnetic resonance imaging of the breast employs two generally cylindrical coils isolated from each other by a radio frequency shield. The coils comprise multiple loops displaced along the axis of the cylinder and connected in parallel to provide uniform coverage of the volume. Coils may be activated individually or at the same time with their signals combined. In the former case, the non-activated coil is actively decoupled by stimulating its decoupling circuit network with a DC bias signal from the system. The activated coil decouples passively during transmit.

Abstract: A quadrature local coil includes a bifurcated first loop positioned on one side of the patient and sensitive to RF magnetic flux generally parallel to the surface of the loop and a second loop positioned on the other side of the patient, opposed to the first loop and sensitive to RF magnetic flux within the patient perpendicular to that to which the first loop is sensitive. In one embodiment, the first and second loops are mounted in opposing concave shells held against and supported by the patient.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil for receiving NMR signals in the imaging of a human foot includes a bird cage structure of longitudinally separated loops joined by longitudinal segments. Some of the segments include transverse portions which define an appendant volume for receiving the toes of the foot when the foot is placed in the coil with the leg generally longitudinal and the toes extending transversely. The appendant volume allows the average radius of the coil to be decreased with a corresponding increase in signal-to-noise ratio without unduly affecting the homogeneity of the coil's reception pattern.