Method and apparatus for the production of an NMR tomography image using an array of surface coils and multiplexers
First Claim
1. Method for the generation of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) image of an object using n>
- 1 surface coils comprising the steps of;
a) extracting one signal from each surface coil to produce n signals from the object;
b) preamplifying each signal in a separate preamplifier to produce n preamplified signals;
b1) multiplexing the n preamplified signals in a first multiplexer to produce n multiplexed preamplified signals;
b2) feeding the n multiplexed preamplified signals into a phase sensitive detector;
c) detecting the n preamplified signals in the phase sensitive detector to produce n low frequency signals;
c1) multiplexing the n low frequency signals in a second multiplexer to produce n multiplexed low frequency signals;
c2) feeding the n multiplexed low frequency signals into separate filters;
d) filtering the low frequency signals in the separate filters to produce n filtered signals;
e) multiplexing the n filtered signals in a third multiplexer to produce n multiplexed filtered signals;
f) digitizing the n multiplexed filtered signals in an analog to digital converter (ADC) to produce n digitized signals;
g) imaging the n digitized signals in a computer to produce n partial images of the object; and
h) assembling the n partial images into a single image of the object.
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for the production of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tomography image with radio frequency (RF) signals from an extended measuring object (11) being detected by n surface coils (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of an NMR apparatus, whereby n>1, and the n RF signals are separately preamplified by n preamplifiers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each assigned to one of the n surface coils (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), and subsequently further amplified and detected in a phase sensitive fashion, as a result of which a low frequency signal is obtained in each case which is introduced to one of n low pass filters (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of an analog/digital converter (ADC) and whereby n partial images are produced in a computer (8) from the n signals obtained in this fashion and assembled into a single NMR tomography image of the measuring object (11) in a region of interest, the signals emanating from the n low pass filters (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are introduced to a single ADC (7) via a first multiplexing circuit (6) to be digitized and passed on to the computer (8). In this fashion is it possible for n-1 high speed ADC'"'"'S as well as a complicated interface for the input of the signals from the different measuring chains into the computer to be dispensed with and the utility of an already existing NMR apparatus can be significantly increased.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. Method for the generation of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) image of an object using n>
- 1 surface coils comprising the steps of;
a) extracting one signal from each surface coil to produce n signals from the object; b) preamplifying each signal in a separate preamplifier to produce n preamplified signals; b1) multiplexing the n preamplified signals in a first multiplexer to produce n multiplexed preamplified signals; b2) feeding the n multiplexed preamplified signals into a phase sensitive detector; c) detecting the n preamplified signals in the phase sensitive detector to produce n low frequency signals; c1) multiplexing the n low frequency signals in a second multiplexer to produce n multiplexed low frequency signals; c2) feeding the n multiplexed low frequency signals into separate filters; d) filtering the low frequency signals in the separate filters to produce n filtered signals; e) multiplexing the n filtered signals in a third multiplexer to produce n multiplexed filtered signals; f) digitizing the n multiplexed filtered signals in an analog to digital converter (ADC) to produce n digitized signals; g) imaging the n digitized signals in a computer to produce n partial images of the object; and h) assembling the n partial images into a single image of the object. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
- 1 surface coils comprising the steps of;
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2. Apparatus for the generation of a nuclear magnetic resonance image of an object comprising:
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n>
1 surface coils for generating n signals from the object;
n preamplifiers connected to the surface coils for preamplifying one each of the n signals to produce n preamplified signals;a first multiplexer connected to the n preamplifiers; a phase sensitive detection means connected to the first multiplexer for producing n low frequency signals; a second multiplexer connected to the phase sensitive detection means; n filters connected to the second multiplexer for filtering one each of the n low frequency signals to produce n filtered signals; a third multiplexer connected to the n filters to produce n multiplexed filtered signals; an ADC connected to the third multiplexer for digitizing the n multiplexed filtered signals to produce n digitized signals; a computer connected to the ADC for processing the n digitized into n partial images and for processing the n partial images into one single image of the object; and multiplexer connection means connected to the first, second and third multiplexers.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeBruker Medizintechniik GmbH
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Original AssigneeBruker Medizintechniik GmbH
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InventorsRatzel, Dieter
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Primary Examiner(s)O'Shea, Sandra L.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Mah, Raymond Y.
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Application NumberUS08/421,045Time in Patent Office573 DaysField of Search324/318, 324/322, 324/314, 324/300, 324/314, 128/653.5US Class Current324/318CPC Class CodesG01R 33/3415 comprising arrays of sub-co...
