Magnet and coil configurations for MRI probes
First Claim
1. A probe, with a longitudinal axis, for use in an NMR system, the probe comprising:
- (a) a plurality of static magnetic field sources which create a static magnetic field that is non-axisymmetric about the longitudinal axis, in a region outside the probe; and
(b) at least one antenna, compromising one or more antennas together capable of creating a time-varying magnetic field which is capable of exciting nuclei in a sub-region of the region, and capable of receiving NMR signals from said excited nuclei and generating NMR electrical signals therefrom;
wherein the plurality of magnetic field sources comprise adjacent static magnetic field sources that are magnetized in directions that differ by more than 10 degrees and less than 170 degrees.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A probe, with a longitudinal axis, for use in an NMR system, the probe comprising: (a) a plurality of static magnetic field sources which create a static magnetic field that is non-axisymmetric about the longitudinal axis, in a region outside the probe; and (b) at least one antenna, compromising one or more antennas together capable of creating a time-varying magnetic field which is capable of exciting nuclei in a sub-region of the region, and capable of receiving NMR signals from said excited nuclei and generating NMR electrical signals therefrom; wherein the plurality of magnetic field sources comprise adjacent static magnetic field sources that are magnetized in directions that differ by more than 10 degrees and less than 170 degrees.
102 Citations
112 Claims
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1. A probe, with a longitudinal axis, for use in an NMR system, the probe comprising:
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(a) a plurality of static magnetic field sources which create a static magnetic field that is non-axisymmetric about the longitudinal axis, in a region outside the probe; and
(b) at least one antenna, compromising one or more antennas together capable of creating a time-varying magnetic field which is capable of exciting nuclei in a sub-region of the region, and capable of receiving NMR signals from said excited nuclei and generating NMR electrical signals therefrom;
wherein the plurality of magnetic field sources comprise adjacent static magnetic field sources that are magnetized in directions that differ by more than 10 degrees and less than 170 degrees. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 35, 39, 41, 45, 52, 53, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 79, 83, 95, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110)
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21. (canceled)
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26-34. -34. (canceled)
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36-38. -38. (canceled)
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40. (canceled)
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42-44. -44. (canceled)
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46-51. -51. (canceled)
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54-65. -65. (canceled)
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73-78. -78. (canceled)
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80-82. -82. (canceled)
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84-94. -94. (canceled)
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96-99. -99. (canceled)
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111. An NMR system comprising:
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(a) a self-contained NMR probe with an RF antenna used for transmitting RF pulses and receiving NMR signals;
(b) an amplifier for amplifying the NMR signals; and
(c) an electric circuit, comprising active toroid protectors, which circuit isolates the amplifier from the RF antenna when the RF antenna is transmitting RF pulses, and connects the amplifier to the RF antenna when the RF antenna is receiving NMR signals.
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112. A non-imaging NMR system comprising:
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(a) a probe, adapted for use inside the body, comprising a static magnetic field source which generates a static magnetic with at least one saddle point in a region outside the probe, and at least one antenna, comprising one or more antennas together capable of creating a time-varying magnetic field which is capable of exciting nuclei in a sub-region of the region, and capable of receiving NMR signals from said excited nuclei and generating NMR electrical signals therefrom;
(b) a power supply which transmits power to at least one of the antennas of the probe to create the time-varying magnetic field; and
(c) a data analyzer which reconstructs NMR characteristics, other than spectroscopic data, of material in the sub-region from the NMR electrical signals generated by at least one of the antennas of the imaging probe, but which data analyzer does not reconstruct images.
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Specification