Abstract: A head coil for use with a parallel-imaging compatible MR system is disclosed, as is a method of making, and a neurovascular array (NVA) equipped with, same. The head coil includes conductive rings and rods configured to produce a plurality of electrically-adjacent primary resonant substructures about a birdcage-like structure, with each such primary resonant substructure including two rods neighboring each other and the short segment of each of the first and second rings interconnecting them. The primary resonant substructures are isolated from each other via a preamplifier decoupling scheme and an offset tuning scheme thereby enabling each primary resonant substructure (i) to receive an MR signal from tissue within its field of view and (ii) to be operatively couplable to one processing channel of the MR system for conveyance of the MR signal received thereby (iii) while being simultaneously decoupled from the other primary resonant substructures.

Abstract: A head coil for use with a parallel-imaging compatible MR system is disclosed, as is a method of making, and a neurovascular array (NVA) equipped with, same. The head coil includes conductive rings and rods configured to produce a plurality of electrically-adjacent primary resonant substructures about a birdcage-like structure, with each such primary resonant substructure including two rods neighboring each other and the short segment of each of the first and second rings interconnecting them. The primary resonant substructures are isolated from each other via a preamplifier decoupling scheme and an offset tuning scheme thereby enabling each primary resonant substructure (i) to receive an MR signal from tissue within its field of view and (ii) to be operatively couplable to one processing channel of the MR system for conveyance of the MR signal received thereby (iii) while being simultaneously decoupled from the other primary resonant substructures.

Abstract: An antenna coupling enables communication across a barrier to radio frequencies. The antenna coupling comprises first and second antennas. The first antenna is adapted for positioning on a first side of the barrier, and is capable of receiving from and transmitting to a first transceiver disposed on the first side. The second antenna is adapted for positioning on a second side of the barrier, and is capable of receiving from and transmitting to a second transceiver on the second side. The interconnection of the first and second antennas through the barrier comprises the antenna coupling. The antenna coupling enables the first and second transceivers to communicate across the barrier over the desired range(s) of radio frequencies. In a related aspect, the antenna coupling may also include a filter interconnected between the first and second antennas to prevent radio frequencies outside of the desired range(s) from being transmitted across the barrier.

Abstract: A birdcage coil for use with a magnetic resonance (MR) system comprises a first ring at one thereof, a second ring at the other end thereof, and a plurality of rods electrically interconnecting the first and second rings. The first ring is electrically conductive and has a first diameter. The second ring is electrically conductive and has a second diameter. The rods and first and second rings are configured to form about the birdcage coil a plurality of partially-overlapped primary resonant substructures. Each primary resonant substructure includes two of the rods and the corresponding sections of the first and second rings interconnecting them.

Abstract: A coil for creating improved homogeneity in magnetic flux density in a radio frequency resonator for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the human head. The coil has a plurality of conductive members. Each of the conductive members has a linear portion and a tapered portion. The conductive members are arranged to form a first opening having a first diameter and a second opening having a second diameter, with the second diameter being different from the first diameter. The tapered portions of the conductive members provide the coil with a substantially homogeneous pattern of magnetic flux density in at least one of three orthogonal imaging planes of the coil.

Abstract: A method for creating improved homogeneity in magnetic flux density in a radio frequency resonator for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the human head. A tapered birdcage resonator is also provided. The tapered birdcage resonator includes two electrically conductive rings and a plurality of rods or conductor legs. The first electrically conductive ring forms an inferior end of the coil. The plurality of legs extends from the first electrically conductive ring. Each of the plurality of legs has a linear portion and a tapered portion. The second electrically conductive ring forms a superior end of the coil and is connected to the tapered portion of the plurality of legs.

Abstract: An antenna coupling enables communication across a barrier to radio frequencies. The antenna coupling comprises first and second antennas. The first antenna is adapted for positioning on a first side of the barrier, and is capable of receiving from and transmitting to a first transceiver disposed on the first side. The second antenna is adapted for positioning on a second side of the barrier, and is capable of receiving from and transmitting to a second transceiver on the second side. The interconnection of the first and second antennas through the barrier comprises the antenna coupling. The antenna coupling enables the first and second transceivers to communicate across the barrier over the desired range(s) of radio frequencies. In a related aspect, the antenna coupling may also include a filter interconnected between the first and second antennas to prevent radio frequencies outside of the desired range(s) from being transmitted across the barrier.

Abstract: A local or surface coil including a decoupling circuit to allow the coil to operate as a receive-only coil in a host MRI system, in which case the system body coil typically provides the transmit signal. Further, the local or surface coil includes a circuit to defeat the decoupling circuitry for both low power [receive] and high power [transmit] functions to allow the same physical coil to be used as a transmit/receive coil in addition to a receive-only coil. The two modes of the coil allow the user to select the mode of local or surface coil operation best suited to the particular type of imaging being performed.

Abstract: A method for creating improved homogeneity in magnetic flux density in a radio frequency resonator for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the human head. A tapered birdcage resonator is also provided. The tapered birdcage resonator includes two electrically conductive rings and a plurality of rods or conductor legs. The first electrically conductive ring forms an inferior end of the coil. The plurality of legs extends from the first electrically conductive ring. Each of the plurality of legs has a linear portion and a tapered portion. The second electrically conductive ring forms a superior end of the coil and is connected to the tapered portion of the plurality of legs.

Abstract: A quadrature coil with a unique arrangement of vertical and horizonal mode coils allows for superior magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy through higher sensitivity and more uniform imaging over the region from the head to the crest of the aortic arch. The coil has vertical-mode conductors at approximately 30.degree., 150.degree., 210.degree.and 330.degree.with respect to a longitudinal axis, and horizontal-mode conductors at 90.degree.and 270.degree.. The horizontal-mode conductors are connected at the far end of the coil at an electrical midpoint of the horizontal-mode conductors, such that a voltage null will exist there when the coil is operated in vertical mode. The vertical and horizontal mode feedpoints are located at a head end of the coil, which is hinged into halves to permit easy access by and to a patient.