Abstract: A single turn, asymmetric solenoidal coil for imaging the hand and wrist of a human subject. The asymmetric shape of the coil allows for uniform RF field energy to be distributed along the hand and wrist of the subject. The shape of the coil is maintained by a hollow, elongated member of dielectric material. A complementary pair of foils are attached to the outer surface of the hollow, dielectric member. The foils are separated by axial gaps and electrically coupled to each other by capacitors disposed along the length of each gap.

Abstract: Single-turn loop-gap solenoidal resonators for establishing RF fields (B.sub.1) transverse to the static B.sub.0 field of a magnetic resonance imaging system. Tubular forms of dielectric (plastic) material have conductive foil bands attached to their outside walls with one or more gaps between the ends of the bands and provide solenoidal single-turn coils. A circuit resonant at radio frequencies is defined by the inductance of the solenoidal coils formed by the bands and the capacitance across the gap. The resistors and/or capacitors spaced along the axis of the tubular bodies tune the circuit and provide RF magnetic field homogeneity within the structure. Holes in the sides of the forms through the bands provide for the entrance of the analytical sample or body mass of a subject (the head, shoulder, hand, foot, knee or elbow).

Abstract: Single-turn loop-gap solenoidal resonators for establishing RF fields (B.sub.1) transverse to the static B.sub.0 field of a magnetic resonance imaging system. Tubular forms of dielectric (plastic) material have conductive foil bands attached to their outside walls with one or more gaps between the ends of the bands and provide solenoidal signal-turn coils. A circuit resonant at radio frequencies is defined by the inductance of the solenoidal coils formed by the bands and the capacitance across the gap. The resistors and/or capacitors spaced along the axis of the tubular bodies tune the circuit and provide RF magnetic field homogeneity within the structure. Holes in the sides of the forms through the bands provide for the entrance of the analytical sample of body mass of a subject (the head, shoulder, hand, foot, knee or elbow).