Abstract: A preamplifier arrangement for an MRI system includes a preamplifier coupled to a loop of a multi-channel coil array of the MRI system, wherein the preamplifier and the loop are subject to potentially form an unstable system with oscillation at one or more peak frequencies. The preamplifier arrangement also includes an impedance matching network disposed between and coupled to the preamplifier and the loop. The impedance matching network is configured to generate a high blocking impedance. The preamplifier arrangement further includes an input network disposed between and coupled to the preamplifier and the loop. The input network is configured to provide an input to suppress gain at the one or more peak frequencies.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a magnetic resonance (MR) system is provided. The RF coil assembly includes an RF coil array and a substrate assembly. The RF coil array includes one or more RF coils each RF coil including a coil loop that includes a wire conductor, the wire conductor formed into the coil loop. The substrate assembly includes a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer, wherein the first substrate layer is coupled with the second substrate layer at seams without a separately-provided fastening mechanism, wherein the RF coil array is positioned between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer.

Abstract: A radio frequency head coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The radio frequency head coil includes a body operative to be disposed on a head of a patient, and an extended lip disposed on the body and operative to receive a magnetic resonance signal. At least some of the magnetic resonance signal is emitted by a region of the patient disposed between a brain stem of the patient up to and including a vertebra of the patient.

Abstract: A supine torso radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a magnetic resonance (MR) system is provided. The RF coil assembly includes an RF coil array and a lining. The RF coil array includes a plurality of RF coils each RF coil including a coil loop that includes a wire conductor, the wire conductor formed into the coil loop and a coupling electronics portion coupled to the coil loop. The plurality of RF coils form into a contoured portion, the contoured portion sized to receive at least part of a breast of a subject therein. The lining includes a contoured portion. The RF coil array is coupled to and distributed on the lining, the contoured portion of the RF coil array covering and conforming with the contoured portion of the lining.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a radio frequency head coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The radio frequency head coil includes a body defining an imaging cavity for receiving a head of a patient, and one or more bracket shells disposed within the body. At least one or more coil elements operative to receive a magnetic resonance signal emitted from the patient are disposed on the bracket shells.

Abstract: A supine torso radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a magnetic resonance (MR) system is provided. The RF coil assembly includes an RF coil array and a lining. The RF coil array includes a plurality of RF coils each RF coil including a coil loop that includes a wire conductor, the wire conductor formed into the coil loop and a coupling electronics portion coupled to the coil loop. The plurality of RF coils form into a contoured portion, the contoured portion sized to receive at least part of a breast of a subject therein. The lining includes a contoured portion. The RF coil array is coupled to and distributed on the lining, the contoured portion of the RF coil array covering and conforming with the contoured portion of the lining.

Abstract: Various systems are provided for neck radio frequency (RF) coil assemblies for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a neck RF coil assembly includes a central RF coil array including a first plurality of RF coils configured to cover a neck of a subject to be imaged, an upper RF coil array including a second plurality of RF coils extending upward from the central RF coil array and configured to cover a lower head region of the subject, and a lower RF coil array including a third plurality of RF coils extending downward from the central RF coil array and configured to cover an upper shoulder region of the subject, wherein each RF coil of the first, second, and third pluralities of RF coils comprises a loop portion comprising two distributed capacitance wire conductors encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for radio frequency (RF) coil arrays for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. In an embodiment, a RF coil array assembly for a MRI system includes a compressible body; an upper posterior RF coil array including a first plurality of RF coils embedded in the compressible body; a lower posterior RF coil array including a second plurality of RF coils embedded in the compressible body; and a head and neck RF coil array removably coupled to the upper posterior RF coil array. The head and neck RF coil array includes a third plurality of RF coils embedded in the compressible body, and one or more neck straps configured to fold over a neck of a subject to be imaged by the MRI system.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for radio frequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In one embodiment, an RF coil assembly for an MRI system includes a first end including a first set of flexible RF coil elements having a first shape, a second end including a second set of flexible RF coil elements having the first shape, and a central section extending between the first end and the second end and including a saddle shaped RF coil element. The first and second ends are bendable to the central section and the saddle shaped RF coil element is a different shape than the first shape. The saddle shaped RF coil element and each RF coil element of the first and second sets of RF coil elements includes a coupling electronics portion and at least two parallel, distributed capacitance wire conductors encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material.

Abstract: Various systems are provided for neck radio frequency (RF) coil assemblies for a magnetic resonance imaging (MM) system. In one example, a neck RF coil assembly includes a central RF coil array including a first plurality of RF coils configured to cover a neck of a subject to be imaged, an upper RF coil array including a second plurality of RF coils extending upward from the central RF coil array and configured to cover a lower head region of the subject, and a lower RF coil array including a third plurality of RF coils extending downward from the central RF coil array and configured to cover an upper shoulder region of the subject, wherein each RF coil of the first, second, and third pluralities of RF coils comprises a loop portion comprising two distributed capacitance wire conductors encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material.

Abstract: A radio frequency head coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The radio frequency head coil includes a body operative to be disposed on a head of a patient, and an extended lip disposed on the body and operative to receive a magnetic resonance signal. At least some of the magnetic resonance signal is emitted by a region of the patient disposed between a brain stem of the patient up to and including a vertebra of the patient.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a disconnecting a receive coil from a transmit coil of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus during a transmit operation. In one example, a device may include a first device and a second device, each having a first terminal and a second terminal operably coupling different terminals of a radio frequency (RF) coil with one or more data acquisition elements, each device including a pair of switches. In this way, by simultaneously operating each of switches of the devices, the receive coil may be isolated from a transmit RF coil during transmit operation.

Abstract: A non-cylindrical cable balun design having reduced space requirements and that provides for a lighter-weight RF coil is disclosed. The balun includes a balun shell having a non-cylindrical profile, a dielectric foam positioned within the balun shell so as to fill an interior volume defined by the balun shell, and one or more capacitors formed on the balun shell. A non-cylindrical coaxial cable that transmits electromagnetic signals to the balun extends through a length of the balun and is surrounded by the dielectric foam.

Abstract: A non-cylindrical cable balun design having reduced space requirements and that provides for a lighter-weight RF coil is disclosed. The balun includes a balun shell having a non-cylindrical profile, a dielectric foam positioned within the balun shell so as to fill an interior volume defined by the balun shell, and one or more capacitors formed on the balun shell. A non-cylindrical coaxial cable that transmits electromagnetic signals to the balun extends through a length of the balun and is surrounded by the dielectric foam.