Abstract: An endorectal coil (1) includes a tube (40), a spreader (44), and one or more electrically conductive elements (64). The tube (40) is configured for insertion into the rectum (42). The spreader (44) is configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tube (40) and mechanically spread to compress surrounding tissue after the tube (40) is inserted. The one or more electrically conductive elements (64) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance data disposed on at least one of the tube (40), the spreader (44), and adjacent the tube and spreader.

Abstract: The invention provides for a metal detector (100, 300) with at least a first coil (102) for generating a first magnetic field (108) along a first direction (119). The first coil is a split coil with a first (104) and a second (106) portion (104). A coil power supply (110) separately supplying time varying electrical power to the coil portions. At least one electrical sensor (116, 118) measures electrical data (136) descriptive of the electrical power supplied to at least the first coil portion and the second coil portion. The coils are controlled such as to move a field-free region in a predetermined pattern within a measurement zone. If metal is detected, the pattern is modified for refining localisation of the metallic object.

Abstract: An endorectal coil (1) includes a tube (40), a spreader (44), and one or more electrically conductive elements (64). The tube (40) is configured for insertion into the rectum (42). The spreader (44) is configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tube (40) and mechanically spread to compress surrounding tissue after the tube (40) is inserted. The one or more electrically conductive elements (64) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance data disposed on at least one of the tube (40), the spreader (44), and adjacent the tube and spreader.

Abstract: A fiducial position marker (1) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus is disclosed for exciting and/or receiving MR signals in/from a local volume which at least substantially surrounds or adjoins the position marker, in order to determine and/or image from these MR signals the position of the position marker in an MR image of an examination object. Such a position marker (1) is especially used for determining and/or imaging a position of an interventional or non-interventional instrument to which the position marker may be attached, like a catheter, a surgical device, a biopsy needle, a pointer, a stent or another invasive or any non-invasive device in an MR image of an examination object. Further, a position marker system comprising such a position marker (1) and a circuit arrangement (5, 6, 6a, 8) for driving the position marker (1) for exciting MR signals and/or for processing MR signals received by the position marker is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rheology system (202) comprising a rheology transducer device (204) for introducing mechanical waves into a subject of interest (120), whereby the rheology transducer device (204) comprises multiple transducers (212), a driving device (206) for driving the rheology transducer device (204), a sensor device (208) for sensing mechanical waves at the subject of interest (120), and a control device (210) for receiving input from the sensor device (208) and for controlling the driving device (206) based on the received input from the sensor device (208). The present invention further provides a MR rheology system (200) comprising a MR imaging system (110), and the above rheology system (202), whereby the MR imaging system (110) is adapted to control the rheology system (200).

Abstract: The invention provides for an RF antenna system (100, 1014, 1014?) for transmitting RF excitation signals into and/or for receiving MR signals from an MR imaging system's (1000, 1100, 1200) imaging volume (1015). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna comprises: a coil former (100, 1014, 1014?) adjacent to the imaging volume (1015); and a resonator (400, 500, 600) attached to the coil former and tuned to at least one resonant frequency formed from electrical connections (304), between multiple capacitors (302). The multiple capacitors are distributed in a periodic pattern (300, 700, 800, 900) about and along the coil former.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance antenna assembly (100) comprising one or more antenna elements (106), wherein the magnetic resonance antenna assembly further comprises multiple electronic dosimeters (108, 110, 204, 604) operable for measuring a cumulative radiation dose (470) of ionizing radiation (442) received by the magnetic resonance antenna assembly.

Abstract: An RF volume resonator system is disclosed comprising a multi-port RF volume resonator (40, 50; 60), like e.g. a TEM volume coil or TEM resonator, or a birdcage coil, all of those especially in the form of a local coil like a head coil, or a whole body coil, and a plurality of transmit and/or receive channels (T/RCh1, . . . T/RCh8) for operating the multi-port RF volume resonator for transmitting RF excitation signals and/or for receiving MR relaxation signals into/from an examination object or a part thereof. By the individual selection of each port (P1, . . . P8) and the appropriate amplitude and/or frequency and/or phase and/or pulse shapes of the RF transmit signals according to the physical properties of an examination object, a resonant RF mode within the examination object with an improved homogeneity can be excited by the RF resonator.

Abstract: A handheld oscillation applicator (40) for use in a magnetic resonance rheology imaging system (10), for applying mechanical oscillations to at least a portion of a subject of interest (20), the handheld oscillation applicator (40) comprising a housing (54), at least one transducer unit (48) configured to output mechanical energy, a piston (68) that is mechanically linked to the at least one transducer unit (48), the piston (68) including a first end (70), a second end (72), and an opening (74) that extends between the first end (70) and the second end (72), wherein the housing (54) comprises at least one opening (60), and the at least one opening (60) of the housing (54) and the opening (74) of the piston (68) at least partially overlap with regard to a housing opening direction (66) defined by an opening center (62) of the opening (60) of the housing (54) at a first surface (56) and an opening center (64) of the opening (60) of the housing (54) at a second surface (58); and an oscillation applicator system

Abstract: The invention provides a transmit and/or receive coil assembly comprising a first and second exchangeable part configured for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals. The exchangeable parts are exchangeable with each other and configured to co-operate with a permanent part of the transmit and/or receive coil assembly during magnetic resonance imaging in order to generate an RF (or B1+) field that covers a volume of interest of the object to be scanned and/or to receive magnetic resonance signals from the volume of interest of the object.

Abstract: The invention provides for a subject support assembly (125) for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500). The subject support is operable for supporting a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108) of a magnet (104) of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The subject support is operable for supporting at least one radio frequency amplifier (124, 124?, 124?) outside of the imaging zone. The subject support is operable for supplying DC electrical power to the at least one radio frequency amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance system including an operative component configured to perform a useful operation in a magnetic resonance system; an electrical cable connected with the operative component to provide electrical communication with the operative component; and a resonant circuit including at least a portion of the electrical cable, the resonant circuit having a first impedance pole at a first magnetic resonance frequency and a second impedance pole at a second magnetic resonance frequency different from the first magnetic resonance frequency.

Abstract: An energy depositing therapy system (10), comprising:—an energy depositing unit (12) provided for locally depositing energy into a therapy zone (56) of a subject of interest (28) for therapy purposes;—a transducer unit (32) that is provided for applying mechanical oscillations to at least a portion of the subject of interest (28);—a magnetic resonance imaging system (14) provided for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data from at least the portion of a subject of interest (28), comprising an image processing unit (24) configured to image the mechanical oscillations;—a control unit (40) that is connectable to the energy depositing unit (12), the transducer unit (32) and a magnetic resonance scanner (16) of the magnetic resonance imaging system (14), whereinthe control unit (40) is configured to control the depositing of energy in dependence of the processed magnetic resonance imaging data of the portion of the subject of interest (28);

Abstract: The invention provides for a multi-element transmit coil (100) for a magnetic resonance imaging system (300). The multi-element transmit coil comprises multiple surface coil elements (102) with a coil circuit (104) that has an integrated a radio-frequency sensor (106, 604, 704, 804). The multi-element transmit coil further comprises a power monitoring unit (108) with an analog-to-digital converter (808). The power monitoring unit comprises a processor connected to each analog to digital converter that is operable for receiving a radio-frequency measurement for generating specific absorption rate data (348) for each of the multiple surface coil elements. The multi-element transmit coil further comprises an optical data transmission system (110) connected to the processor. The optical data transmission system is operable for connecting to a magnetic resonance imaging system controller (312, 330).

Abstract: The present invention provides a rheology module (200) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) rheology imaging system (110), whereby the rheology module (200) is adapted to introduce mechanical oscillations into a subject of interest (120), comprising a housing (202), a mechanical oscillator unit (204), which extends at least partially outside the housing (202) and is movable relative to the housing (202), and a transducer (206) for moving the oscillator unit (204), whereby the rheology module (200) comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) antenna unit (210, 212), which comprises at least one RF coil (214, 216). With the RF antenna device integrated into the rheology module, an antenna placement close to a region of interest (ROI) can be achieved to improve the MR imaging capabilities of a MR rheology imaging system. Thus, imaging of the ROI can be performed more efficiently.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna device (40) for applying an RF field to an examination space (16) of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (10), the RF antenna device (40) comprising a plurality of rungs (42, 44) arranged substantially parallel and in an azimuthally substantially equally spaced relationship along an outside of a virtual cylinder (50) with a cylinder axis (52) running parallel to main directions of extension (48); at least one transversal antenna member (54) electromagnetically coupled to at least one rung (42, 44) of the plurality of rungs (42, 44), wherein the at least one transversal antenna member (54) is arranged within a plane substantially perpendicular to the main directions of extension (48) of the plurality of rungs (42, 44); and a plurality of RF circuitries (62, 64, 66), wherein at least one RF circuitry (62, 64, 66) is provided for each rung (42, 44) of the plurality of rungs (42, 44) for mutual decoupling and for individually feeding RF power into and for the at least one trans

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) antenna device (140) for applying an RF field to an examination space (116) of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (110), whereby the RF antenna device (140) is provided having a tubular body, the RF antenna device (140) is segmented in its longitudinal direction (154), and each segment (162, 164) is provided with at least one activation port. The result is that each mode, corresponding to an activation port, may be controlled individually. Accordingly, the inhomogeneity of the subject of interest in this direction, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the RF antenna device, can directly be addressed. There are different ways to build up a z-segmented RF antenna device.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (200, 400, 500) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (202), a transducer (222) for mechanically vibrating at least a portion of the subject within the imaging zone. Instructions cause a processor (236) controlling the medical instrument to: control (100) the transducer to vibrate; control (102) the magnetic resonance imaging system to repeatedly acquire the magnetic resonance data (252) using a first spatially encoding pulse sequence (250); control (104) the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire navigator data (256) using a second spatially encoding pulse sequence (254); construct (106) a set of navigator profiles (258, 804, 904, 1004, 1108, 1208, 1308) using the navigator data; determine (108) at least one parameter (260) descriptive of transducer vibrations using the set of navigator profiles; and reconstruct (110) at least one magnetic resonance rheology image (262) from the magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: An endorectal coil (1) includes a tube (40), a spreader (44), and one or more electrically conductive elements (64). The tube (40) is configured for insertion into the rectum (42). The spreader (44) is configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tube (40) and mechanically spread to compress surrounding tissue after the tube (40) is inserted. The one or more electrically conductive elements (64) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance data disposed on at least one of the tube (40), the spreader (44), and adjacent the tube and spreader.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding circuit arrangement (18) for supplying a radio frequency signal to a plurality of coil elements (14) of a magnetic resonance coil system (12), wherein the circuit arrangement (18) comprises a main line (20) for connecting a radio frequency signal source (16); a plurality of feeding lines (22), each feeding line (22) for connecting a corresponding coil element (14) of the coil system (14); a power divider (24) arranged between the main line (20) and the plurality of feeding lines (22) for distributing the signal on the main line (20) to each of the feeding lines (22), wherein at least one of the feeding lines (22) comprises a controllable switching circuit (26) with a switching element (28) for connecting/disconnecting of two resulting line sections (30, 32) of the feeding line (22), a first line section (30) on the divider side and a second line section (32) on the side connectable to the coil element (14), and wherein the switching circuit (26) further comprises at least on