Tuning low-inductance coils at low frequencies
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining magnetic resonance signals, comprising:
- forming a resonance circuit comprising at least one inductor, at least one small sample coil, and at least one capacitor, the at least one small sample coil being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver, the at least one inductor and the at least one small sample coil in series, and an inductance of the at least one inductor being greater than an inductance of the at least one small sample coil; and
permitting the resonance circuit to resonate at low frequency.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for tuning and matching extremely small sample coils with very low inductance for use in magnetic resonance experiments conducted at low frequencies. A circuit is disclosed that is appropriate for performing measurements in fields where magnetic resonance is beneficially utilized. The circuit has a microcoil, an adjustable tuning capacitance, and added inductance in the form of a tuning inductor. The microcoil is an electrical coil having an inductance of about 25 nanohenries (nH) or less. Because additional inductance is purposefully added, the capacitance required for resonance and apparatus function is proportionally and helpfully reduced. The apparatus and method permit the resonant circuit and the magnet to be made extremely small, which is crucial for new applications in portable magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
230 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining magnetic resonance signals, comprising:
- forming a resonance circuit comprising at least one inductor, at least one small sample coil, and at least one capacitor, the at least one small sample coil being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver, the at least one inductor and the at least one small sample coil in series, and an inductance of the at least one inductor being greater than an inductance of the at least one small sample coil; and
permitting the resonance circuit to resonate at low frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- forming a resonance circuit comprising at least one inductor, at least one small sample coil, and at least one capacitor, the at least one small sample coil being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver, the at least one inductor and the at least one small sample coil in series, and an inductance of the at least one inductor being greater than an inductance of the at least one small sample coil; and
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9. A resonance circuit, comprising:
- at least one small sample coil having a low inductance and being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver;
at least one inductor, an inductance of the at least one inductor being greater than the inductance of the at least one small sample coil; and
at least one capacitor;
wherein the at least one small sample coil is electrically coupled to the at least one inductor and the at least one capacitor and wherein the resonance circuit is sufficient for resonance at low frequency. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- at least one small sample coil having a low inductance and being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver;
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18. A resonance circuit, comprising:
- at least one inductor, at least one small sample coil, and at least one capacitor in electrical communication, the at least one inductor and at least one small sample coil in series, an inductance of the at least one inductor being greater than an inductance of the at least one small sample coil, and the at least one small sample coil being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver;
wherein the resonance circuit is sufficient for resonance at low frequency. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- at least one inductor, at least one small sample coil, and at least one capacitor in electrical communication, the at least one inductor and at least one small sample coil in series, an inductance of the at least one inductor being greater than an inductance of the at least one small sample coil, and the at least one small sample coil being an effective magnetic resonance transmitter and/or receiver;
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25. The resonance circuit of any one of claims and 9 and 18 sufficient for employment in at least one application selected from a nuclear magnetic resonance application, a magnetic resonance application, and a magnetic resonance imaging application.
Specification