Abstract: A top of a convertible vehicle, having a foldable top covering and a top linkage, from which the top covering can be displaced between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position releasing the vehicle interior to the top and which comprises a linkage arrangement on each of the two sides of the top linkage relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, panel bows extending between the two linkage arrangements arranged on both sides of the top linkage, said panel bows being arranged flush behind each other in the longitudinal direction of the top when in the closed position and being arranged atop of each other when in the storage position and one of the panel bows forming a backlite bow which accommodates a backlite. The backlite bow is realized as a frame-like composite part which encloses the backlite.

Abstract: A top of a convertible vehicle, having a foldable top covering and a top linkage, from which the top covering can be displaced between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position releasing the vehicle interior to the top and which comprises a linkage arrangement on each of the two sides of the top linkage relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, panel bows extending between the two linkage arrangements arranged on both sides of the top linkage, said panel bows being arranged flush behind each other in the longitudinal direction of the top when in the closed position and being arranged atop of each other when in the storage position and one of the panel bows forming a backlite bow which accommodates a backlite. The backlite bow is realized as a frame-like composite part which encloses the backlite.

Abstract: A less-claustrophobic, quadrature, radio-frequency head coil (42) includes first and second broken end rings (90, 92) connected to each other in parallel by a plurality of leg conductors (94). At least two of the leg conductors are interconnected by a third arcuate conductor segment (98) axially displaced from planes of the first and second end rings to provide an opening (44) over a subject's face. The opening reduces patient claustrophobia and permits access to the patient for life-support devices or the practice of interventional medicine. The end rings have a fixed capacitance (C.sub.1, C.sub.2) between each pair of leg conductors. The fixed capacitance C.sub.1 between at least one pair of leg conductors and the fixed capacitance C.sub.2 between at least the pair of leg conductors adjacent the opening, where C.sub.2 >C.sub.1. A two-port feed (66, 68) circumferentially attached to the coil generally opposite the opening matches the individual linear modes.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system is used to excite high .gamma. dipoles, such as hydrogen, and lower .gamma. dipoles, such as phosphorous, to resonate concurrently. A multiply-tuned radio frequency coil (40) is disposed around the region of interest. The multiply-tuned radio frequency coil is tuned to the resonance frequency of the high .gamma. dipoles and the resonance frequency of the low .gamma. dipoles. The coil has an inner coil section, defined by a first leg or ring (92) and a second leg or ring (94), which is tuned by added capacitance substantially to the resonance frequency of the low .gamma. dipole. A first outer coil section which is defined by a third leg or ring (90) and the first leg or ring. A second outer coil section defined by the second leg or ring (94) and a fourth leg or ring (96). The first and second outer sections, together with the inner coil section define a coil which has a co-rotating mode and a counter-rotating mode.

Abstract: A coil assembly (40) includes a first, birdcage type head coil assembly (42) dimensioned to receive a patient's head and a second, neck coil assembly (44) including an anterior coil portion (44a) and a posterior coil portion (44b) dimensioned to receive the patient's neck region. The head and neck coils are partially overlapped. A first cable extends (98a) from the anterior coil portion past the birdcage head coil assembly and a second coaxial cable (98b) extends from the posterior portion past the birdcage head coil assembly. A first decoupling circuit (104a) is disposed in the first coaxial cable beyond a guard ring (106) and a second decoupling circuit (104b) is disposed in the second coaxial cable adjacent the region of overlap between the head and neck coil assemblies. The decoupling circuits are positioned and tuned to prevent radio frequency communication along the coaxial cable sheath between the head and neck coil assemblies.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a radio frequency coil (40) is disposed closely adjacent the patient's head. The radio frequency coil includes a first annular ring (80, 114) around the patient's head from which a first plurality of legs (82, 116) extend. Opposite legs are interconnected equidistant from the first annular ring to form a virtual ground connection (84, 118). In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a second annular ring (120) is disposed parallel to the first annular ring with a second plurality of legs (122) extending between the first and second annular rings. By adjusting a ratio .rho. of the current flow in the loops defined by the first legs, the first annular ring and virtual ground relative to the current loops defined by the second legs and the first and second annular rings, the linearity of the B.sub.1 field within the head coil is selectively adjustable (FIG. 8).

Abstract: A birdcage coil (42) and a quadrature coil pair which are disposed in a partially overlapping but electrically isolated relationship within a static magnetic field generated by a main field magnet (10). The birdcage coil preferably has twelve legs, has eight-fold symmetry, and is tuned to have two linear modes aligned with first and second orthogonal axes. The quadrature coil includes a first or upper coil portion (90) having an even-number of legs and a mode aligned with a third axis. A second or bottom quadrature coil (92) has an odd-number of legs and has a mode which is aligned with a fourth axis, preferably orthogonal to the third axis. Received resonance signals of the two modes of the birdcage coil are combined (66) and digitized (64); resonance signals received in the first and second modes of the quadrature coil pair are combined (66) and digitized (64).