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 a MRI system housed within a room there is provided a movable magnet and additional components for other procedures on the patient, a control system is provided for the relative movement of the magnet and components. This includes a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted on the components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component and an optional camera positioning system so that the control system can estimate relative positions of the components relative to the magnet from the sensed field strengths from the set of sensors to avoid collisions during the movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for intra-operative MRI includes a patient table with a movable magnet and an RF coil having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is formed of a foam material flexible to different shapes with a pair of stiffeners formed of connected pivotal elements extending from a central back-bone embedded in the top sheet of the foam to hold the flexible material in the different shapes and is carried at one end of a flexible foam arm attached to a side rail of the table and stiffened by a longitudinal stiffener. A head clamp is attached to the table with a C-shaped holder for the skull clamp pins. The lower coil is movable by flexing about longitudinal lines to different curvatures and is held channel shaped by the C-shaped holder. It is attached at one longitudinal end to an adjustable mount connected to the head clamp.

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.

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: 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.

Abstract: In a MRI system housed within a room there is provided a movable magnet and additional components for other procedures on the patient, a control system is provided for the relative movement of the magnet and components. This includes a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted on the components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component and an optional camera positioning system so that the control system can estimate relative positions of the components relative to the magnet from the sensed field strengths from the set of sensors to avoid collisions during the movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for intra-operative MRI includes a patient table with a movable magnet and an RF coil having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is formed of a foam material flexible to different shapes with a pair of stiffeners formed of connected pivotal elements extending from a central back-bone embedded in the top sheet of the foam to hold the flexible material in the different shapes and is carried at one end of a flexible foam arm attached to a side rail of the table and stiffened by a longitudinal stiffener. A head clamp is attached to the table with a C-shaped holder for the skull clamp pins. The lower coil is movable by flexing about longitudinal lines to different curvatures and is held channel shaped by the C-shaped holder. It is attached at one longitudinal end to an adjustable mount connected to the head clamp.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring properties and health of structures are disclosed. The system comprises a number of sensors connected to a single antenna. Each sensor has a body that defines an electromagnetic resonator. The electromagnetic resonator produces a response signal in response to an interrogation signal. The body is coupled to the structure to so as to allow the parameters of interest alter the resonance properties of the electromagnetic resonators thereby altering the response signal. The sensor further includes a coupler that is coupled to the body. The coupler transfers the interrogation signal into the electromagnetic resonator and transfers the response signal from the electromagnetic resonator. The system further includes an interrogator that generates and transmits the interrogation signal to the sensor. The interrogator also receives the response signal.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring properties and health of structures are disclosed. The system comprises a number of sensors connected to a single antenna. Each sensor has a body that defines an electromagnetic resonator. The electromagnetic resonator produces a response signal in response to an interrogation signal. The body is coupled to the structure to so as to allow the parameters of interest alter the resonance properties of the electromagnetic resonators thereby altering the response signal. The sensor further includes a coupler that is coupled to the body. The coupler transfers the interrogation signal into the electromagnetic resonator and transfers the response signal from the electromagnetic resonator. The system further includes an interrogator that generates and transmits the interrogation signal to the sensor. The interrogator also receives the response signal.