Intracavity probes and interfaces therefor for use in obtaining images and spectra of intracavity structures using high field magnetic resonance systems
First Claim
1. An intracavity probe for use with a magnetic resonance (MR) system for obtaining images or spectra of a region of interest within a cavity of a patient, said intracavity probe comprising:
- (a) a first coil loop for receiving MR signals from the region of interest, said first coil loop having a plurality of capacitors therein, said plurality of capacitors including (i) a first drive capacitor and a second drive capacitor of approximately equal value serially connected within said first coil loop and at a junction node thereof forming a virtual ground for electrically balancing and impedance matching said first coil loop and (ii) a tuning capacitor serially connected within said first coil loop diametrically opposite said junction node of said drive capacitors and having a value selected to resonate said first coil loop at an operating frequency of said MR system;
(b) a first output cable connected at one end thereof across said first drive capacitor; and
(c) a second output cable connected at one end thereof across said second drive capacitor;
wherein said first and said second output cables (i) each have an electrical length of SL+n(λ
/4) wherein SL is a supplemental length whose reactance is of a same magnitude as a reactance of said drive capacitor corresponding thereto, n is an odd integer, and λ
is a wavelength of the operating frequency of said MR system; and
(ii) terminate in a plug therefor for connecting said first coil loop to an interface device for said intracavity probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intracavity probe for use with an MR system allows images or spectra of a region of interest within a cavity of a patient to be obtained. The probe includes a shaft, a balloon at one end thereof, and a coil loop within the balloon. The coil loop preferably includes two drive capacitors and a tuning capacitor, all of which in series. A junction node between the drive capacitors serves as a ground for electrically balancing the coil loop. Diametrically opposite the junction node, the tuning capacitor enables the coil loop to resonate at the operating frequency of the MR system. Across each drive capacitor is connected an output cable having an electrical length of SL+n(λ/4). The output cables terminate in a plug that is used to connect the coil loop to an interface device for the intracavity probe.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An intracavity probe for use with a magnetic resonance (MR) system for obtaining images or spectra of a region of interest within a cavity of a patient, said intracavity probe comprising:
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(a) a first coil loop for receiving MR signals from the region of interest, said first coil loop having a plurality of capacitors therein, said plurality of capacitors including (i) a first drive capacitor and a second drive capacitor of approximately equal value serially connected within said first coil loop and at a junction node thereof forming a virtual ground for electrically balancing and impedance matching said first coil loop and (ii) a tuning capacitor serially connected within said first coil loop diametrically opposite said junction node of said drive capacitors and having a value selected to resonate said first coil loop at an operating frequency of said MR system; (b) a first output cable connected at one end thereof across said first drive capacitor; and (c) a second output cable connected at one end thereof across said second drive capacitor; wherein said first and said second output cables (i) each have an electrical length of SL+n(λ
/4) wherein SL is a supplemental length whose reactance is of a same magnitude as a reactance of said drive capacitor corresponding thereto, n is an odd integer, and λ
is a wavelength of the operating frequency of said MR system; and
(ii) terminate in a plug therefor for connecting said first coil loop to an interface device for said intracavity probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An intracavity probe for use with a magnetic resonance (MR) system for obtaining images or spectra of a region of interest within a cavity of a patient, said intracavity probe comprising:
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(a) a first coil loop for receiving MR signals from the region of interest, said first coil loop having a plurality of capacitors serially connected therein, said plurality of capacitors including (i) a drive capacitor for electrically balancing and impedance matching said first coil loop and (ii) a tuning capacitor positioned diametrically opposite said drive capacitor and having a value selected to resonate said first coil loop at an operating frequency of said MR system; and (b) an output cable connected at one end thereof across said drive capacitor, said output cable (i) having an electrical length of SL+n(λ
/4) wherein SL is a supplemental length whose reactance is of a same magnitude as a reactance of said drive capacitor, n is an odd integer, and λ
is a wavelength of the operating frequency of said MR system; and
(ii) terminating in a plug therefor for connecting said first coil loop to an interface device for said intracavity probe. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification