Magnetic resonance imaging probe

1. A magnetic resonance imaging probe, comprising:

a probe shaft having a magnetic resonance antenna, the probe shaft comprising

a core of non-magnetic material;

a first insulator/dielectric covering the core;

a shield layer covering the first insulator/dielectric;

a proximal spring assembly coupled to a distal end of the shield layer and configured and arranged to act with the shield layer as a coaxial shield; and

a magnetic resonance imaging coil conductively attached to the core and forming a part of the magnetic resonance antenna;

a spring tip having increased flexibility relative to the probe shaft proximate the antenna; and

an electrically insulating material affixing the spring tip to a distal end of the probe shaft and preventing electrical conduction between the spring tip and the imaging coil.

2. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the core comprises a Nitinol wire and alternating layers of gold, silver, and gold, surrounding at least a portion of the Nitinol wire.

3. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the probe shaft further comprises a second insulator/dielectric disposed over the shield layer.

4. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the core of non-magnetic material is plated with alternating layers of gold and silver.

5. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the core comprises a central core having at least one of carbon, glass fiber, and a polymer, and the core further comprises a radio frequency conductive covering surrounding the central core.

6. The probe of claim 5 , wherein the covering comprises alternating layers of gold, silver, and gold, surrounding the central core.

7. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the spring tip is attached to the imaging coil by an adhesive joint.

8. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the imaging coil comprises a helical whip with a proximate end and a distal end, the helical whip having coils with a diameter and a spacing, and wherein the distal end of the helical whip is connected to the spring tip.

9. The probe of claim 8 , wherein the helical whip is covered by a biocompatible material or covering.

10. The probe of claim 9 , wherein an electrical length of the imaging coil is chosen so as to compensate for the biocompatible material or covering.

11. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the probe is sized and shaped to be a guidewire.

12. The probe of claim 1 , further comprising a connector coupled to a proximal end of the probe shaft.

13. The probe of claim 12 , wherein the connector is removably coupled to the proximal end of the probe shaft.

14. The probe of claim 12 , wherein the connector couples to an interface.

15. The probe of claim 14 , wherein the interface comprises at least one of a tuning-matching circuit, a balun circuit, a decoupling circuit, or a variable capacitor.

16. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises a loopless antenna.

17. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the spring tip further comprises a ribbon extending from the spring tip to the core.

18. The probe of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the probe shaft is insulated with a biocompatible material or coating.

19. The probe of claim 1 , further comprising a cover layer covering at least a portion of the probe shaft.

20. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the probe is sized and shaped for intravascular use.

21. A magnetic resonance imaging probe, comprising:

a core of non-magnetic material;

a shield layer having a distal end and surrounding at least a part of the core;

a proximal spring assembly having a distal end and being conductively coupled to the distal end of the shield layer and configured and arranged to act with the shield layer as a coaxial shield;

a joining segment attached to the distal end of the proximal spring assembly;

a magnetic resonance imaging coil attached to the joining segment; and

a spring tip attached to a distal end of the imaging coil.

22. The imaging probe of claim 21 , wherein the proximal spring assembly comprises a round winding wire.

23. The imaging probe of claim 22 , wherein the round winding wire is stacked.

24. A magnetic resonance imaging probe, comprising:

a core of non-magnetic material;

a first insulator/dielectric surrounding at least a part of the core;

a shield layer surrounding at least a part of the first insulator/dielectric and having a distal end;

a modified shield layer attached to the distal end of the shield layer and having a distal end;

a proximal spring assembly conductively coupled to the distal end of the modified shield layer and configured and arranged to act with the shield layer and modified shield layer as a coaxial shield, the proximal spring assembly having a distal end, wherein the modified shield layer provides a region of stiffness transition from the shield layer to the proximal spring assembly;

a joining segment attached to the distal end of the proximal spring assembly;

a magnetic resonance imaging coil attached to the joining segment and conductively coupled to the core, the imaging coil having a distal end; and

a spring tip attached to the distal end of the imaging coil.

25. A magnetic resonance imaging probe, comprising:

a core of non-magnetic material;

a first insulator/dielectric surrounding at least a part of the core;

a shield layer surrounding at least a part of the first insulator/dielectric and having a distal end;

a modified shield layer attached to the distal end of the shield layer and having a distal end;

a joining segment attached to the distal end of the modified shield layer;

a magnetic resonance imaging coil attached to the joining segment, conductively coupled to the core, and having a distal end; and

a spring tip attached to the distal end of the imaging coil, wherein the modified shield layer provides a region of stiffness transition from the shield layer to the spring tip.

26. A magnetic resonance imaging probe system, comprising:

a magnetic resonance imaging probe, having:

a probe shaft including a distal end and a proximal end, the probe shaft further including:

a core of non-magnetic material;

a first insulator/dielectric covering the core;

a shield layer covering the first insulator/dielectric and having a distal end;

a proximal spring assembly conductively coupled to the distal end of the shield layer and having a distal end and configured and arranged to act with the shield layer as a coaxial shield; and

a magnetic resonance imaging coil non-conductively coupled to the distal end of the proximal spring assembly and conductively coupled to the core, the imaging coil having a distal end;

a spring tip;

an electrically insulating material affixing the spring tip to the distal end of the probe shaft and preventing electrical conduction between the spring tip and the imaging coil; and

a connector attached to the proximal end of the probe shaft; and

an interface, having:

a balun circuit;

a decoupling circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the balun circuit or a tuning/matching circuit;

the tuning/matching circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the balun circuit or the decoupling circuit;

a proximal connector, in electrical communication with at least one of the balun circuit, the decoupling circuit, or the tuning/matching circuit, the proximal connector being adapted for removable electrical connection to a magnetic resonance scanner; and

a distal connector, in electrical communication with at least one of the balun circuit, the decoupling circuit, or the tuning/matching circuit, the connector of the interface being adapted for removable electrical connection to the connector of the imaging probe.