MRI apparatus provided with RF coils having non-parallel sensitivities for forming images while utilizing sub-sampling
First Claim
1. An MRI apparatus for forming MR images of a patient to be examined in an imaging volume of the MRI apparatus, the MRI apparatus comprising:
- means for generating a uniform magnetic field in the imaging volume of the MRI apparatus;
a patient support having a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of the uniform magnetic field;
at least two RF receiving coils for receiving RF signals originating from the patient, a first one of said RF receiving coils having a sensitivity vector which is directed transversely of the physical plane of said first coil; and
a sampling device for the sampling in a sub-sampling fashion of the RF signals received by the RF receiving coils, whereina second one of the at least two RF receiving coils includes a sensitivity vector which is directed substantially parallel to the physical plane of said second coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The acquisition of MR images while utilizing sub-sampling of the RF signals generated in the patient 21 to be examined is known. Such sub-sampling methods require at least two RF receiving coils which should not have a substantial component of their sensitivity vectors in common. According to the invention at least two coils 22a, 22b are used, a first one (22a) having its sensitivity vector extending substantially transversely of its physical coil plane whereas a second one (22b) has its sensitivity vector extending substantially parallel to its physical coil plane. The coils can thus be placed close to the surface of the patient without interfering with each other. They can be arranged in such a manner that their planes are oriented parallel to the main magnetic field Bo. Moreover, the coils can be arranged so as to overlap substantially, so that they provide the same field of view.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An MRI apparatus for forming MR images of a patient to be examined in an imaging volume of the MRI apparatus, the MRI apparatus comprising:
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means for generating a uniform magnetic field in the imaging volume of the MRI apparatus; a patient support having a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of the uniform magnetic field; at least two RF receiving coils for receiving RF signals originating from the patient, a first one of said RF receiving coils having a sensitivity vector which is directed transversely of the physical plane of said first coil; and a sampling device for the sampling in a sub-sampling fashion of the RF signals received by the RF receiving coils, wherein a second one of the at least two RF receiving coils includes a sensitivity vector which is directed substantially parallel to the physical plane of said second coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of forming MR images, using an MRI apparatus, of a patient to be examined in an imaging volume of the MRI apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a uniform magnetic field in the imaging volume of the MRI apparatus; arranging the patient to be examined in the imaging volume so that the longitudinal axis thereof extends in the direction of the uniform magnetic field; arranging at least two RF receiving coils in the imaging volume and near the patient in order to receive RF signals originating from the patient, a first one of said RF receiving coils having a sensitivity vector which is directed transversely of the physical plane of said first coil; and sampling in a sub-sampling fashion the RF signals received by the RF receiving coils, wherein a second one of the at least two RF receiving coils is chosen so as to have a sensitivity vector which is directed substantially parallel to the physical plane of said second coil. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification