System and apparatus for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals from an imaging subject
An apparatus for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals emitted by an imaging subject includes a receiver coil configured to detect the MR signals and a frequency translating preamplifier coupled to the receiver coil. The frequency translating preamplifier is configured to amplify the MR signals and to convert a frequency of the MR signals to an intermediate frequency. The frequency translating preamplifier may include an amplifier having a predefined gain, a frequency filter configured to filter at least one predetermined frequency and a mixer configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency.
1. An apparatus for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals emitted by an imaging subject, the apparatus comprising:
a receiver coil configured to detect the MR signals;
a frequency translating preamplifier coupled to the receiver coil and configured to amplify the MR signals and to convert a frequency of the MR signals to an intermediate frequency; and
a receiver coupled to an output of the frequency translating preamplifier and configured to receive the amplified and frequency converted MR signals.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate frequency is different than the frequency of the MR signals.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the intermediate frequency is lower than the frequency of the MR signals.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the intermediate frequency is higher than the frequency of the MR signals.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency translating preamplifier comprises:
an amplifier having a predefined gain;
a frequency filter coupled to the amplifier and configured to filter at least one predetermined frequency; and
a mixer coupled to the frequency filter and configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the mixer is configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency based on a local oscillator signal frequency.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the amplifier is a low noise amplifier.
8. A system for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals emitted by an imaging subject, the system comprising:
at least one receiver coil configured to detect the MR signals;
at least one frequency translating preamplifier coupled to the at least one receiver coil and configured to amplify the MR signals and to convert a frequency of the MR signals to an intermediate frequency; and
a receiver coupled to the at least one frequency translating preamplifier and configured to receive and process the amplified and frequency converted MR signals.
9. A system according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one receiver coil is included in an array of receiver coils.
10. A system according to claim 8 , wherein the receiver is a transceiver.
11. A system according to claim 8 , further comprising a connector that couples the receiver to the at least one frequency translating preamplifier.
12. A system according to claim 11 , wherein the connector is a low frequency compatible connector.
13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the connector is a twisted pair cable.
14. A system according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one frequency translating preamplifier comprises:
an amplifier having a predefined gain;
a frequency filter coupled to the amplifier and configured to filter at least one predetermined frequency; and
a mixer coupled to the frequency filter and configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency.
15. A system according to claim 14 , wherein the mixer is configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency based on a local oscillator signal frequency.
16. A system according to claim 14 , wherein the amplifier is a low noise amplifier.
17. A frequency translating preamplifier for a receiver coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the frequency translating preamplifier comprising:
an amplifier having a predetermined gain and configured to receive at least one magnetic resonance (MR) signal from the receiver coil and to generate an amplified MR signal;
a frequency filter coupled to the amplifier and configured to filter at least one predetermined frequency; and
a mixer coupled to the frequency filter and configured to convert the frequency of the amplified and filtered MR signal to an intermediate frequency.
18. A frequency translating preamplifier according to claim 17 , wherein the mixer is configured to convert the frequency of the amplified MR signal to the intermediate frequency based on a local oscillator signal frequency.
19. A frequency translating preamplifier according to claim 17 , wherein the amplifier is a low noise amplifier.