Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can include a gapped degenerate birdcage magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil. The gapped degenerate birdcage MRI RF coil is tuned to a degenerate mode and comprises a row of RF coil elements and a mechanical gap. The RF coil elements may also be referred to as channels or meshes. The row extends circumferentially around an axis of a cylindrical-like former, and mechanical gap separates a pair of directly neighboring RF coil elements in the row. A transformer, a partial overlap, or the like minimizes inductive coupling between the pair of directly neighboring RF coil elements.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) surface coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The RF surface coil includes a rigid lower member, at least one flexible upper member mechanically coupled to the rigid lower member, and one or more RF coil elements housed by the rigid lower member and the at least one flexible upper member. The at least one flexible upper member is dimensioned and manipulable to substantially conform the one or more RF coil elements to a portion of a patient anatomy to be imaged by the MRI system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil. The MRI RF coil comprises a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring. A plurality of rung groups extend between the first and second conductive rings. The plurality of rung groups are spaced uniformly about the first conductive ring. Each of the plurality of rung groups comprises a plurality of conductive rungs extending between and connected to the first and second conductive rings. The plurality of conductive rungs of each of the plurality of rung groups are azimuthally separated from one another by a first azimuth angle. Each of the plurality of rung groups is separated from a neighboring rung group by a spacing that forms a window. Each of the windows have a second azimuth angle that is greater than the first azimuth angle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil. The MRI RF coil comprises a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring. A plurality of rung groups extend between the first and second conductive rings. The plurality of rung groups are spaced uniformly about the first conductive ring. Each of the plurality of rung groups comprises a plurality of conductive rungs extending between and connected to the first and second conductive rings. The plurality of conductive rungs of each of the plurality of rung groups are azimuthally separated from one another by a first azimuth angle. Each of the plurality of rung groups is separated from a neighboring rung group by a spacing that forms a window. Each of the windows have a second azimuth angle that is greater than the first azimuth angle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) knee coil comprising a local shim coil. The local shim coil is disposed in a housing of the MRI knee coil. An electromagnetic coil is also disposed in the housing and spaced from the local shim coil. The local shim coil comprises one or more conductors. Each of the conductors of the local shim coil are disposed on a semi-cylindrical surface, and the semi-cylindrical surface extends laterally from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing. The local shim coil is configured to generate a local shimming magnetic field that reduces a localized magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by a susceptibility artifact disposed in a knee of a patient.

Abstract: A single-layer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil array configured to operate in a transmit (Tx) mode or in a receive (Rx) mode comprises at least one single-layer MRI RF coil array element configured to provide integrated B0 field shimming. The at least one single-layer MRI RF coil array element includes a resonant LC coil, a matching Tx/Rx switch circuit, a magnitude/phase control component, and a preamplifier. The LC coil, upon resonating with a primary coil at the working frequency, generates a local amplified Tx field based on an induced current in the LC coil. The magnitude/phase control component is configured to independently adjust a magnitude or a phase of the induced current. The at least one single-layer MRI RF coil element may include a Tx field monitoring component configured to monitor the strength or phase of the local amplified Tx field.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can include use of an electrical transceiver coil system comprising an array of segmented loops. The array can be arranged about a portion of an imaging subject and arranged to provide surgical access to a region of the imaging subject from at least one direction. The segmented loops can establish a volumetric radio frequency (RF) excitation field across a volume-of-interest associated with the imaging subject in response to the segmented loops receiving specified transmit phases providing a non-90-degree relative phase between segmented coil loops at adjacent ones of the segmented loops. All or at least some of the segmented loops can provide outputs indicative of an RF signal from the imaging subject, the RF signal elicited in response to RF excitation. The transceiver coil system can facilitate pre-operative, intra-operative, or post-operative MR imaging, such as facilitating access for a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A single-layer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil array configured to operate in a transmit (Tx) mode or in a receive (Rx) mode comprises at least one single-layer MRI RF coil array element configured to provide integrated B0 field shimming. The at least one single-layer MRI RF coil array element includes a resonant LC coil, a matching Tx/Rx switch circuit, a magnitude/phase control component, and a preamplifier. The LC coil, upon resonating with a primary coil at the working frequency, generates a local amplified Tx field based on an induced current in the LC coil. The magnitude/phase control component is configured to independently adjust a magnitude or a phase of the induced current. The at least one single-layer MRI RF coil element may include a Tx field monitoring component configured to monitor the strength or phase of the local amplified Tx field.

Abstract: In a method for guiding brachytherapy radiation treatment the patient is supported on a table and an MR magnet is brought into the treatment bunker through doors for imaging while the after-loader for the radiation source delivery is stored away in a storage location outside the RF shield. A safety system controls movement of the after-loader and the magnet. Images of the patient obtained while the patient is on the table are used to locate the applicator with respect to the lesion and organs-at-risk. The MR and X-ray compatible patient support table with MR coil integration includes a removable end-extension, which provides pelvic access for applicator insertion.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can include use of an electrical transceiver coil system comprising an array of segmented loops. The array can be arranged about a portion of an imaging subject and arranged to provide surgical access to a region of the imaging subject from at least one direction. The segmented loops can establish a volumetric radio frequency (RF) excitation field across a volume-of-interest associated with the imaging subject in response to the segmented loops receiving specified transmit phases providing a non-90-degree relative phase between segmented coil loops at adjacent ones of the segmented loops. All or at least some of the segmented loops can provide outputs indicative of an RF signal from the imaging subject, the RF signal elicited in response to RF excitation. The transceiver coil system can facilitate pre-operative, intra-operative, or post-operative MR imaging, such as facilitating access for a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiation therapy combines a patient table, an MRI and a radiation treatment apparatus mounted in a common treatment room with the MR magnet movable from a position outside a radiation shielded door to an imaging position. An RF-shielded door is movable between a position, separating part of the treatment apparatus from the magnet and an open position allowing access of the patient to the treatment apparatus. In one configuration there is a row of treatment rooms and the magnet is mounted to move along a passageway outside the row of radiation shielded doors of the rooms.

Abstract: An phased array RF coil used for MR imaging is designed so that it remains in place in the field of view of an X-Ray imaging system and comprises a support board on which copper or aluminum conductive traces are carried. The attenuation of the X-Rays caused by the traces is visible in the radiation image but this is compensated by arranging the non-conductive material of the support board such that the attenuation is substantially constant. The phased array includes individual coil loops which are overlapped with the traces being of half thickness at crossing locations of the traces and with one of the loops on one side and the other loop on the second side of the substrate sheet.

Abstract: In MR imaging of a body part in the magnetic field of a magnet, an RF signal is applied in a transmit stage to the subject to be imaged such that the subject generates an MR signal in response to the magnetic field and the RF signal applied with the MR signal being acquired in a receive stage using an RF coil where the RF coil is an integral element defined within a supporting element such as a pillow or U-shaped head support carrying the body part or within an article worn or carried by the body part such as a cast, brace, brassiere or vest.

Abstract: In a method for imaging a body part of a patient particularly in relation to DBS where conductive elements can reduce a safe SAR level, the power in the RF pulses being delivered to the RF transmit coil is measured in real time by a unit associated with the FR transmit coil and is used to stop the supply of RF pulses to the RF coil in the event that the power exceeds a predetermined safe limit. As signal can also be transmitted to the MR control unit to shut off the imaging sequence.

Abstract: The receive coil arrangement includes an inner coil adjacent the part to be imaged so as to maximize the received MR signal and an outer coil, which may be the built in body coil of the magnet, connected by cable to the signal processing system. Both the coils are individually tuned to the common resonant frequency and the receive coil include an arrangement to halt current flow therein during the transmit stage. The first coil has no cable and is arranged to communicate the MR signal therein to the signal processing system through the outer coil by inducing the MR signal onto the outer coil. Despite inherent losses by interfering with the tuning of the loops and in the inductive coupling this magnifies the MR signal and makes the first coil wireless. Arrangements are provided for generating from the output of the second coil separate signals for separate channels of the signal processing unit.

Abstract: In a method for guiding brachytherapy radiation treatment the patient is supported on a table and an MR magnet is brought into the treatment bunker through doors for imaging while the after-loader for the radiation source delivery is stored away in a storage location outside the RF shield. A safety system controls movement of the after-loader and the magnet. Images of the patient obtained while the patient is on the table are used to locate the applicator with respect to the lesion and organs-at-risk. The MR and X-ray compatible patient support table with MR coil integration includes a removable end-extension, which provides pelvic access for applicator insertion.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiation therapy combines a patient table, an MRI and a radiation treatment apparatus mounted in a common treatment room with the MR magnet movable from a position outside a radiation shielded door to an imaging position. An RF-shielded door is movable between a position, separating part of the treatment apparatus from the magnet and an open position allowing access of the patient to the treatment apparatus. In one configuration there is a row of treatment rooms and the magnet is mounted to move along a passageway outside the row of radiation shielded doors of the rooms.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiation therapy combines a patient table, an MRI and a radiation treatment apparatus mounted in a common treatment room with the MR magnet movable through a radiation shielded door to an imaging position. An initial MR image and an initial X-ray image is used to generate an RT program for the patient to be carried out in a plurality of separate treatment steps. Before carrying out the procedure, a registration step is performed using a phantom by which X-ray images are registered relative to MR images to generate a transformation algorithm required to align the MR images of the part of the patient relative to the X-ray images. Prior to each separate treatment step a current MR image of the part of the patient is obtained and the transformation algorithm data is used from the current MR image is used in guiding the RT treatment step.

Abstract: In MR imaging, the patient is placed on the table in a configuration convenient for a surgical procedure and while in the configuration the patient is moved into the field of view by moving the magnet longitudinally and the table is moved in the bore relative to the magnet so as to optimize the part to be imaged within the field of view of the magnet. After imaging the table is moved back to the preset position and removed from the magnet for the surgical procedure to commence or continue. The movement includes movement along the longitudinal axis; transverse movement side to side; rolling movement about a longitudinal axis; tilting movement about a transverse axis and bending movement of the table relative to at least one transverse hinge line in the table at a position spaced from the ends of the table.

Abstract: The receive coil arrangement includes an inner local volume coil adjacent the part to be imaged so as to maximize the received MR signal and an outer coil, which may be the built in body coil of the magnet, connected by cable to the signal processing system. Both the coils are individually tuned to the common resonant frequency and the local volume coil include an arrangement to halt current flow therein during the transmit stage. The local volume coil has no cable and is arranged to communicate the MR signal therein to the signal processing system through the outer coil by inductive coupling to the outer coil. Despite inherent losses by interfering with the tuning of the loops and in the inductive coupling this magnifies the MR signal and makes the local volume coil wireless.