Abstract: An inductively coupled magnetic resonance local prostate radio frequency coil (10) includes at least two connected electrically conductive loops (50) and an interface device (80). The at least two connected electrically conductive loops (50) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance radio frequency signal components along an axis of a subject disposed in a main magnetic field (B0) orthogonal to the axis of the subject (i.e. an open MRI system having a vertical magnetic field) and generate one or more currents indicative of the received magnetic resonance signal components. The interface device (80) connected to the at least two conductive loops transmits measures of the one or more currents to a signal processing system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. It concerns an oscillation applicator for MR rheology. It is an object of the invention to provide an oscillation applicator without restrictions regarding the usability for certain body regions. According to the invention, the oscillation applicator comprises at least one transducer which generates a reciprocating motion at a given frequency and a belt (19) mechanically coupled to the transducer, which belt (19) is designed to be wrapped around a patient's body (10). Moreover, the invention relates to a MR device (1) and to a method of MR imaging.

Abstract: An automatic tune and match device (3) and method comprises a reflected power sensor (32) which detects power reflected from a load (18,18?) and an LC matching circuit, in series with the load, being programmable to minimize the reflected power. The LC matching circuit includes an inductor matrix (34) in series with the load (18, 18?) and a capacitor matrix (36) in parallel with the inductor matrix. A matrix controller (38) configures at least one of the inductor matrix or capacitor matrix based on the detected reflected power to minimize the reflected power.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (602) comprising a magnet (604) with an imaging zone (608) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (642, 748) from a subject (618) from within the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (632) for storing machine executable instructions (660, 662, 664, 760, 762, 764). The medical apparatus further comprises a processor (626) for controlling the medical apparatus. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to: acquire (100, 200, 300, 400, 506) B1 field map magnetic resonance data (642) using the magnetic resonance imaging system and determine (102, 206, 306, 408, 512) a temperature map (646) using the B1 field map magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging, wherein a portion of a body placed in the examination volume of an MR device is subjected to an imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients. The imaging sequence is a stimulated echo sequence including i) two preparation RF pulses (?) radiated toward the portion of the body during a preparation period (21), and ii) reading RF pulses (?) radiated toward the portion of the body during an acquisition period (22) temporally subsequent to the preparation period (21). FID signals (I1) and stimulated echo signals I2) are acquired during the acquisition period (22) with equal T2*-weighting. A B1 map indicating the spatial distribution of the RF field of the preparation RF pulses within the portion of the body is derived from the acquired FID (I1) and stimulated echo (I2) signals.

Abstract: A dual- or multi-resonant RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna (1, 2) especially in the form of a planar antenna or a volume array antenna (also called antenna array) is disclosed for MR image generation of at least two different nuclei like e.g. 1H, 19F, 3He, 13C, 23Na or other nuclei having different Larmor frequencies. Basically, the antenna is coupled by means of an inductive coupling device (LI) with related transmit/receive channels (T/R). By such an inductive coupling, the tuning and matching of the antenna at the different resonant frequencies is easier to be obtained than in case of a galvanic connection. Further, the invention relates to an MR imaging apparatus comprising such a dual- or multi-resonant RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna.

Abstract: An electrosurgical ablation apparatus for generating and emitting electromagnetic radiation energy for ablating biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an operating unit (1), a handheld applicator unit (3) with an applicator antenna (4) and a cable connection (2) between both. The applicator antenna (4) is a dual or multi-resonant ablation antenna (41a, . . . 41d) for transmitting microwave ablation energy at at least two different frequencies which are selected especially according to the electrical properties and dimensions of the tissue to be ablated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transverse-electromagnetic (TEM) radio-frequency coil (1) for a magnetic resonance system, especially for a magnetic resonance imaging system. In particular, the inventive concept provides a coil (1) in which at least one of the opposite end regions of the elongate strip section (4) of each TEM coil element (2) has a lateral extension (6) transverse to a longitudinal extent of the strip section (4). These lateral extensions (6) combine with strip sections (4) to form L-or U-shaped TEM coil elements (2) and provide ‘ring-like’ current contributions resulting in a reduction of the z-sensitivity compared with a conventional TEM coil. The result is a coil array having TEM coil elements (2) that provide smaller sensitivity profiles in the z-direction, yet preserve the characteristics of a well-defined RF ground, e.g. via an RF shield or screen (3).

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (300, 400) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (342). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a coil assembly (319) configured for radiating and/or receiving radio frequency energy from an imaging zone. The coil assembly has a first surface (315) configured for being directed towards the imaging zone and comprises at least one coil element (317). The coil assembly further comprises a radio frequency shield (319) switchable between an RF blocking state (804) and an RF transparent state (802). The at least one coil element is between the first surface and the radio frequency shield. The switchable radio frequency shield comprises at least two conductive elements (322). The radio frequency shield comprises at least one radio frequency switch (324) configured for electrically connecting the at least two conductive elements in the blocking state and disconnecting the at least two conductive elements in the transparent state.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (1) for magnetic resonance (MR) examination of a subject (S), comprising: an examination region (3) for accommodating the subject (S) during the MR examination; a radio-frequency system (5) for transmission of a radio-frequency (RF) signal or field into the examination region (3) during the MR examination; and a temperature control system (6) for controlling the temperature of the subject (S) in the examination region (3) during the examination. The temperature control system (6) is configured to actively control or regulate an environment of the subject (S), and thereby the temperature or thermal comformt of the subject (S) based upon a detected and/or an expected temperature of the subject (S) during the MR examination.

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: 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: The invention relates to a thermal treatment applicator (19) for the deposition of thermal energy within tissue of a body (10) of a patient. The applicator (19), comprises: a plurality of RF antennae (20) for radiating a RF electromagnetic field toward the body (10);—a plurality of RF power amplifiers (21) supplying RF signals to the RF antennae (20), wherein each RF power amplifier (21) comprises a transistor and an output matching network (22) transforming the output impedance of the transistor into a low impedance value. Moreover, the invention relates to a MR imaging guided therapy system (1).

Abstract: A high or ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging method and device including a double-layered transmit-receive coil array that includes a transmit element placed in close proximity to a radio frequency shield to reduce SAR, and a receive element that is placed further away from the shield to improve SNR. The transit and receive elements may be mutually decoupled using diodes, transformers, or other decoupling techniques. A portion of the transmit element may pass in front of the RF shield while capacitors in the transmit element may be positioned behind the shield.

Abstract: The invention provides for a therapeutic apparatus comprising a tissue heating system (302, 480, 482). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (300) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (366) from nuclei of a subject (318) located within an imaging volume (330). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a radiation therapy system (304, 592) for irradiating an irradiation volume (316, 516) of the subject, wherein the irradiation volume is within the imaging volume. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a controller (354) for controlling the therapeutic apparatus. The controller is adapted for acquiring (100, 210) magnetic resonance thermometry data repeatedly using the magnetic resonance imaging system. The controller is adapted for heating (102, 208) at least the irradiation volume using the tissue heating system. The heating is controlled using the magnetic resonance thermometry data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body placed in an examination volume includes a main magnet or generating a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field in the examination volume, and an RF coil arrangement for generating RF fields in the examination volume and/or for receiving MR signals from the body. In order to provide such an MR device, which is arranged to operate at the resonance (Larmor) frequencies of two or more different nuclear species at the same time, the RF coil arrangement includes independent resonator elements which are adjacently arranged in or near the examination volume. The adjacent resonator elements are alternately tuned to one of two or more different MR resonance frequencies, and each resonator element is associated with a separate signal transmission and/or signal reception channel of the MR device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic nuclear polarization apparatus (116) for continuous provision of hyperpolarized samples (114) comprising dynamically nuclear polarized nuclear spins, the apparatus (116) comprising a polarization region (106) for polarization of said nuclear spins resulting in said hyperpolarized samples, wherein the apparatus (116) further comprises: a cryostat (102) for cooling the samples (114) in the polarization region (106), a magnet (100) for providing a magnetic field to the cooled samples in the polarization region (106), a radiation source (112) for concurrently to the magnetic field provision providing a nuclear polarizing radiation to the polarization region (106) for receiving the hyperpolarized samples, a sample transport system (104) for continuously receiving unpolarized samples (114), transporting the unpolarized samples to the polarization region (106) for nuclear spin polarization and providing the resulting hyperpolarized samples (114).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (1) comprising: a main magnet for generating a uniform, steady magnetic field within an examination volume (21), an RF waveguide (19) for guiding travelling RF waves along an axis of the examination volume (21) in at least one travelling mode of the RF waveguide (19), at least one RF antenna (9) for transmitting RF pulses to and/or receiving MR signals from a body (10) of a patient positioned in the examination volume (21), wherein the RF antenna (9) is configured to couple to the at least one travelling mode of the RF waveguide (19), and wherein the RF antenna (9) is located on the imaging system such that the examination volume (21) is freely accessible, a control unit (15) for controlling the temporal succession of RF pulses, and a reconstruction unit (17) for reconstructing an MR image from the received MR signals.

Abstract: An automatic tune and match device (3) and method comprises a reflected power sensor (32) which detects power reflected from a load (18,18?) and an LC matching circuit, in series with the load, being programmable to minimize the reflected power. The LC matching circuit includes an inductor matrix (34) in series with the load (18, 18?) and a capacitor matrix (36) in parallel with the inductor matrix. A matrix controller (38) configures at least one of the inductor matrix or capacitor matrix based on the detected reflected power to minimize the reflected power.

Abstract: An RF coil is proposed for use as an RF antenna for a MR imaging system, for transmitting RF excitation signals and for receiving MR relaxation signals. The RF coil of the invention includes an array of patches (1) which are capacitively coupled with each other. The array of patches forms a resonant surface on which surface currents can be resonantly excited for generating at least one field modus.