INTEGRATED LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER AND BALUN FOR MRI RECEIVERS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:
- at least one magnet for generating a magnetic field;
at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet by way of a gradient field; and
at least one RF receiver coil to receive electromagnetic signals from the manipulated magnetic field;
at least one integrated balun-preamplifier system configured to condition the received electromagnetic signals, said at least one integrated balun-preamplifier system comprising a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received electromagnetic signals and a balun to block unwanted common mode signals; and
wherein the at least one integrated balun-preamplifier system is enclosed in a balun housing.
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Abstract
An integrated balun-low noise amplifier (LNA) system is included in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The integrated balun-LNA system conditions electromagnetic signals received from at least one RF receiver coil. The integrated balun-LNA system is configured to be enclosed in a balun housing. The size of the integrated balun-LNA system minimizes component area and volume thereof on or near the RF receiver coil and thus, minimizes interference with the magnetic flux field.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:
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at least one magnet for generating a magnetic field; at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet by way of a gradient field; and at least one RF receiver coil to receive electromagnetic signals from the manipulated magnetic field; at least one integrated balun-preamplifier system configured to condition the received electromagnetic signals, said at least one integrated balun-preamplifier system comprising a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received electromagnetic signals and a balun to block unwanted common mode signals; and wherein the at least one integrated balun-preamplifier system is enclosed in a balun housing. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 25)
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2. (canceled)
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16. An integrated balun-low noise amplifier (LNA) module comprising:
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a balun enclosure; a preamplifier partially located in a first chamber of the balun enclosure; a common mode inductor located in a second chamber of the balun enclosure, the second chamber also including a remaining portion of the preamplifier; and an internal shield separating the first chamber and the second chamber to reduce transmission of magnetic and electric fields between the first and second chambers. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of constructing an integrated balun-low noise amplifier (LNA) module for conditioning electromagnetic signals in an MRI system comprising the steps of:
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forming a balun housing positioning a low-noise amplifier partially into a first chamber of the balun housing; positioning a remaining portion of the low-noise amplifier and a common mode inductor into a second chamber of the balun housing; positioning an internal shielding mechanism between the first chamber and the second chamber; positioning an external shielding mechanism at opposing ends of the balun housing and around the balun housing; and electrically connecting the low-noise amplifier, the common mode inductor, the internal shielding, and the external shielding. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification