Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil apparatus is described herein for facilitating imaging of a patient positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the MRI system comprising a B0 magnet. The apparatus may comprise a frame comprising a first plate and a second plate disposed opposite the first plate; and an RF transmit coil comprising a plurality of conductors connected in series, the plurality of conductors being would around the frame and forming a plurality of turns. According to some aspects, there is provided an MRI system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprises a B0 magnet that produces a B0 magnetic field and the RF coil apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods to facilitate imaging an infant using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. A system for facilitating imaging an infant using an MRI device is provided herein, the system comprising a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly configured to be coupled to the MRI device and comprising a first RF coil configured to transmit RF signals during MRI and/or be responsive to MR signals generated during MRI and a helmet for supporting at least a portion of the infant's head, and an infant support to support at least a portion of the infant's body and configured to be coupled to the RF coil assembly. Further provided is an apparatus for coupling an infant support to an MRI device.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil apparatus is described herein for facilitating imaging of a patient positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the MRI system comprising a B0 magnet. The apparatus may comprise a frame comprising a first plate and a second plate disposed opposite the first plate; and an RF transmit coil comprising a plurality of conductors connected in series, the plurality of conductors being would around the frame and forming a plurality of turns. According to some aspects, there is provided an MRI system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprises a Bo magnet that produces a B0 magnetic field and the RF coil apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, electromagnetic shielding provided to attenuate at least some electromagnetic noise in an operating environment of the MRI system, and an electrical conductor coupled to the electromagnetic shielding and configured to electrically couple to a patient during imaging of the patient by the MRI system. The magnetics system may include at least one permanent B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for an imaging region of the MRI system. The B0 magnetic field strength may be less than or equal to approximately 0.2 T.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, electromagnetic shielding provided to attenuate at least some electromagnetic noise in an operating environment of the MRI system, and an electrical conductor coupled to the electromagnetic shielding and configured to electrically couple to a patient during imaging of the patient by the MRI system. The magnetics system may include at least one permanent B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for an imaging region of the MRI system. The B0 magnetic field strength may be less than or equal to approximately 0.2 T.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting motion and position of a patient positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging system, the device including at least one sensor configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient during magnetic resonance imaging. The method includes, while a patient is positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging system, measuring a reflected power value indicative of an amount of power reflected by the at least one sensor in response to being driven by at least one RF signal, and determining, using the reflected power value, whether the patient has moved.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting motion and position of a patient positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging system, the device including at least one sensor configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient during magnetic resonance imaging. The method includes, while a patient is positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging system, measuring a reflected power value indicative of an amount of power reflected by the at least one sensor in response to being driven by at least one RF signal, and determining, using the reflected power value, whether the patient has moved.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, comprising a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, and a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic interference conducted by a patient into an imaging region of the MR imaging system. The sensor may comprise at least one electrical conductor configured for electrically coupling to the patient. The MR imaging system may further comprise a noise reduction system configured to receive the electromagnetic interference from the sensor and to suppress electromagnetic interference in detected MR signals received by the MR imaging system based on the electromagnetic interference detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, comprising a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, and a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic interference conducted by a patient into an imaging region of the MR imaging system. The sensor may comprise at least one electrical conductor configured for electrically coupling to the patient. The MR imaging system may further comprise a noise reduction system configured to receive the electromagnetic interference from the sensor and to suppress electromagnetic interference in detected MR signals received by the MR imaging system based on the electromagnetic interference detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods to facilitate imaging an infant using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. A system for facilitating imaging an infant using an MRI device is provided herein, the system comprising a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly configured to be coupled to the MRI device and comprising a first RF coil configured to transmit RF signals during MRI and/or be responsive to MR signals generated during MRI and a helmet for supporting at least a portion of the infant's head, and an infant support to support at least a portion of the infant's body and configured to be coupled to the RF coil assembly. Further provided is an apparatus for coupling an infant support to an MRI device.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods to facilitate imaging an infant using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. A system for facilitating imaging an infant using an MRI device is provided herein, the system comprising a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly configured to be coupled to the MRI device and comprising a first RF coil configured to transmit RF signals during MRI and/or be responsive to MR signals generated during MRI and a helmet for supporting at least a portion of the infant's head, and an infant support to support at least a portion of the infant's body and configured to be coupled to the RF coil assembly. Further provided is an apparatus for coupling an infant support to an MRI device.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, electromagnetic shielding provided to attenuate at least some electromagnetic noise in an operating environment of the MRI system, and an electrical conductor coupled to the electromagnetic shielding and configured to electrically couple to a patient during imaging of the patient by the MRI system. The magnetics system may include at least one permanent B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for an imaging region of the MRI system. The B0 magnetic field strength may be less than or equal to approximately 0.2 T.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a first end ring section containing a plurality of openings and a second end ring section containing a plurality of openings. A plurality of rungs is disposed between the first end ring section and the second end ring section. Each rung has a first end connected to the first end ring section and a second end connected to the second end ring section. Each rung can also include a plurality of openings. The openings in the end rings and rungs reduces eddy currents and improves RF performance of the RF coil.

Abstract: A RF transmit coil decoupling circuit in a parallel drive configuration comprises a power amplifier and an output matching network to shim the B1 field in response to inhomogeneities therein. The separate coil segments in a transmit array are effectively decoupled from each other despite inherent mutual inductance between coil segments by the decoupling circuit. The output matching network forms a high impedance block seen by the coil elements, while it provides a load line impedance at the output of the power amplifier. The transmission line transformer in the output matching network suppresses higher order harmonics for clearer RF wave forms. It also dampen the Q factor of the output matching network allowing stable operation with a series tuned coil element.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a first end ring section containing a plurality of openings and a second end ring section containing a plurality of openings. A plurality of rungs is disposed between the first end ring section and the second end ring section. Each rung has a first end connected to the first end ring section and a second end connected to the second end ring section. Each rung can also include a plurality of openings. The openings in the end rings and rungs reduces eddy currents and improves RF performance of the RF coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of multi-directional acceleration for parallel imaging. An RF coil assembly is constructed to have a plurality of RF coils arranged in axial and tangential direction for image data acquisition with acceleration in at least two dimensions.

Abstract: A system wirelessly supplies electrical power to an RF coil and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for an MRI system. The system supplies power to at least operate the RF coil and ADC without the use of a battery and without use of a wired connection external to the bore of the magnet.

Abstract: An RF coil assembly is presented that incorporates balun networks to eliminate standing waves from cables used to apply a voltage to multiple drive ports of the coil. Each drive port is driven by an applied voltage that is shifted 90 degrees in the tangential direction. Further, all drive ports are located on one end-ring of the coil, e.g. the superior end-ring. The inequality of the efficiency of the drive ports is reduced such that a substantially circular polarization in the volume of the coil is maintained. The present invention reduces asymmetrical loading by a patient as a result of patient asymmetry and patient contact with the opposite end-ring of the coil that normally negatively affects circular polarization and conventional coil configurations.

Abstract: An RF coil assembly is presented that incorporates balun networks to eliminate standing waves from cables used to apply a voltage to multiple drive ports of the coil. Each drive port is driven by an applied voltage that is shifted 90 degrees in the tangential direction. Further, all drive ports are located on one end-ring of the coil, e.g. the superior end-ring. The inequality of the efficiency of the drive ports is reduced such that a substantially circular polarization in the volume of the coil is maintained. The present invention reduces asymmetrical loading by a patient as a result of patient asymmetry and patient contact with the opposite end-ring of the coil that normally negatively affects circular polarization and conventional coil configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided which reduce coupling between a Z-axis gradient coil and an rf coil in magnetic resonance imaging systems and an rf shield disposed between the Z-axis gradient coil and the remaining gradient coils. The reduction in coupling is accomplished by novel windings of conductor forming the Z-axis gradient coil.