Tapered birdcage resonator for improved homogeneity in MRI
First Claim
1. A coil for magnetic resonance imaging comprising:
- a first electrically conductive ring forming an inferior end of the coil for access by a test subject, the first electrically conductive ring having a first diameter;
a plurality of legs extending from the first electrically conductive ring, each of the plurality of legs having a linear portion and a tapered portion; and
a second electrically conductive ring forming a superior end of the coil and having a second diameter which is different than the first diameter, the second electrically conductive ring being connected to the tapered portion of the plurality of legs, wherein the tapered portion of the plurality of legs provide the coil with a substantially homogenous field pattern.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A coil for magnetic resonance imaging comprising:
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a first electrically conductive ring forming an inferior end of the coil for access by a test subject, the first electrically conductive ring having a first diameter;
a plurality of legs extending from the first electrically conductive ring, each of the plurality of legs having a linear portion and a tapered portion; and
a second electrically conductive ring forming a superior end of the coil and having a second diameter which is different than the first diameter, the second electrically conductive ring being connected to the tapered portion of the plurality of legs, wherein the tapered portion of the plurality of legs provide the coil with a substantially homogenous field pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A coil for magnetic resonance imaging comprising:
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a first electrically conductive ring forming an inferior end of the coil;
a second electrically conductive ring forming a superior end of the coil; and
a plurality of legs extending between the first electrically conductive ring and the second electrically conductive ring, each of the plurality of legs having a predetermined length, a linear center portion and a tapered portion at each end, wherein a ratio of the length to a diameter of the coil is approximately 1;
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20. A method of making a birdcage resonator having a plurality of legs to provide improved homogeneity while maintaining signal-to-noise performance, the method comprising the steps of:
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constructing a wire model of the birdcage resonator;
calculating a magnetic flux density within the birdcage resonator; and
adjusting at least one of an end ring diameter and a radius of taper the plurality of legs to improve homogeneity of the magnetic flux density. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification