Thermostabilization of antenna array for magnetic resonance tomography
View Patent ↗A device for thermal stabilization of a first electrical characteristic of an antenna array of a magnetic resonance tomograph includes a heat exchanger configured for thermal coupling of a component of the device to a heat source. The device also includes a temperature-dependent second electrical characteristic. In a predefined connection to the antenna array, the temperature-dependent second electrical characteristic is configured to compensate for an effect of a temperature-dependent change on the first electrical characteristic of the antenna array in a predetermined temperature range.
1. A device for thermal stabilization of a resonant frequency or an impedance of an antenna array of a magnetic resonance tomograph, the device comprising:
a heat exchanger configured for thermal coupling of a component of the device to a heat source or to the antenna array; and
a temperature-dependent capacitance;
wherein the device is connected to the antenna array; and
wherein the device is configured to compensate for an effect of a temperature-dependent change on the resonant frequency or the impedance of the antenna array in a predefined temperature range, the temperature-dependent change caused by the heat source.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises only passive components.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a metallic contact surface.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a metallic contact surface.
5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a metallic contact surface.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a metallic contact surface.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a conduit for a cooling fluid.
8. An antenna system comprising:
a device for thermal stabilization of a resonant frequency or an impedance of an antenna array of a magnetic resonance tomograph; and
an antenna array;
wherein the device comprises:
a heat exchanger configured for thermal coupling of a component of the device to a heat source or to the antenna array; and
a temperature-dependent capacitance;
wherein the device is connected to the antenna array; and
wherein the device is configured to compensate for an effect of a temperature-dependent change on the resonant frequency or the impedance of the antenna array in a predefined temperature range, the temperature-dependent change caused by the heat source;
wherein the device is thermally coupled via the heat exchanger to the antenna array; and
wherein the device is electrically connected to the antenna array, such that an effect of the temperature-dependent change in the resonant frequency or the impedance of the antenna array is substantially offset in the predefined temperature range.
9. A magnetic resonance tomograph, comprising:
a device for thermal stabilization of a resonant frequency or an impedance of an antenna array of a magnetic resonance tomograph, the device comprising:
a heat exchanger configured for thermal coupling of a component of the device to a heat source or to the antenna array; and
a temperature-dependent capacitance;
wherein the device is connected to the antenna array; and
wherein the device is configured to compensate for an effect of a temperature-dependent change on the resonant frequency or the impedance of the antenna array in a predefined temperature range, the temperature-dependent change caused by the heat source;
an antenna array;
a heat source; and
a first thermal coupling between the device and the heat source via the heat exchanger;
wherein the heat source is in a cause-and-effect relationship with the temperature-dependent change in the resonant frequency or the impedance; and
wherein the device is electrically connected to the antenna array, such that the effect of the temperature-dependent change in the resonant frequency or the impedance of the antenna array is substantially offset in the predefined temperature range.
10. The magnetic resonance tomograph of claim 9 , wherein the heat source comprises a gradient coil.
11. The magnetic resonance tomograph of claim 10 , further comprising:
a coolant circuit configured to cool the heat source;
wherein the heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the coolant circuit.
12. The magnetic resonance tomograph of claim 9 , wherein the first thermal coupling comprises a first time constant for a first heat transfer between the heat source and the device; wherein a second thermal coupling between the antenna array and the heat source comprises a second time constant; and wherein the first thermal coupling is configured such that the resonant frequency or the impedance of the antenna array is substantially unchanged for a predefined operating profile of the magnetic resonance tomograph.