Wirelessly coupled magnetic resonance coil

• US 20060279284A1
• Filed: 05/05/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Vaughan, J. Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,568,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/318
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/34007 Manufacture of RF coils, e.g. using printed circuit board technology; additional hardware for providing mechanical support to the RF coil assembly or to part thereof, e.g. a support for moving the coil assembly relative to the remainder of the MR system
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/345 of waveguide type G01R33/343 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3692 involving signal transmission without using electrically conductive connections, e.g. wireless communication or optical communication of the MR signal or an auxiliary signal other than the MR signal

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things, a radio frequency magnetic coil is coupled to a wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit allows control or monitoring of individual channels or other functions of a coil.

Claims

1. A radio frequency magnetic resonance coil comprising:

at least one current element; and

a wireless communication circuit coupled to the at least one current element.

2. The coil of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication circuit includes at least one of a transmitter, a receiver, and a transceiver.

3. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element includes a transmission line.

4. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element is configured as a volume coil or a surface coil.

5. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element is configured for receiving a radio frequency signal from a region of interest.

6. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element is configured for transmitting a radio frequency signal to a region of interest.

7. The coil of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to communicate with at least one magnetic resonance system.

8. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element is configured for resonance at a frequency that is selected based on a signal received from the wireless communication circuit.

9. The coil of claim 1 wherein a parameter corresponding to a transverse electromagnetic signal in the at least one current element is selected based on a control signal received from the wireless communication circuit.

10. The coil of claim 9 wherein the parameter includes at least one of a phase, a current, and a voltage.

11. The coil of claim 9 wherein the transverse electromagnetic signal can be detuned based on the control signal received from the wireless communication circuit.

12. The coil of claim 1 wherein a parameter corresponding to a transverse electromagnetic signal in the at least one current element is monitored based on a control signal received from the wireless communication circuit.

13. The coil of claim 12 wherein the parameter includes at least one of a current, a voltage, a frequency, and a phase.

14. The coil of claim 1 wherein a transverse electromagnetic signal in the at least one current element is determined based on a feedback signal generated as a function of a monitored parameter.

15. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit are configured for at least one of implantation and ingestion.

16. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit are configured for deployment in at least one of a catheter and a needle.

17. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit are configured for insertion using minimally invasive means.

18. The coil of claim 1 further including a surface mount substrate coupled to the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit.

19. The coil of claim 18 wherein the substrate includes a flexible material.

20. The coil of claim 1 wherein the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit are disposable.

21. The coil of claim 1 further including a bandage coupled to the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit.

22. The coil of claim 1 further including an adhesive coupled to the at least one current element and the wireless communication circuit.

23. A method comprising:

arranging a radio frequency magnetic resonance coil having a current element disposed about a region of interest; and

communicating with the coil using a wireless communication protocol.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein communicating includes receiving a radio frequency signal based on a current in the coil.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein communicating includes transmitting a radio frequency signal corresponding to a current in the coil.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a coil configured for use with a magnetic resonance system;

a wireless interface coupled to the coil; and

a garment coupled to the coil.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the garment includes a fabric structure configured to be worn on a body.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the coil includes a plurality of transmission line segments.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the wireless interface is coupled to each transmission line segment.