FLEXIBLE RADIO FREQUENCY COIL APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

1 . A radio frequency apparatus configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system, the radio frequency apparatus comprising:

a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient; and

a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils forming a plurality of turns.

2 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of radio frequency coils comprises a conductor, each conductor being arranged in a plurality of turns.

3 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the conductor of each of the plurality of radio frequency coils comprises between three and fifteen turns.

4 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each conductor has a length between 100 and 1000 cm.

5 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils comprises a plurality of proximal coils and a plurality of distal coils and each of the plurality of proximal coils is larger than each of the plurality of distal coils.

6 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils further comprises a plurality of central coils positioned between the plurality of proximal coils and the plurality of distal coils.

7 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of central coils is larger than each of the plurality of proximal coils and each of the plurality of distal coils.

8 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener configured to hold the flexible substrate in place after it has been positioned about the anatomy of the patient.

9 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible substrate comprises a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils is coupled to the flexible substrate between the first layer and the second layer of the flexible substrate.

10 . The radio frequency apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the anatomy of the patient includes a knee.

11 . A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprising:

a B 0 magnet that produces a main magnetic B 0 field oriented along a vertical axis; and

a radio frequency apparatus configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within the MRI system, the radio frequency apparatus comprising:

a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient; and

a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils including a conductor forming a plurality of turns and oriented such that, when the flexible substrate is positioned about the anatomy of the patient and placed within the main magnetic B 0 field, the plurality of radio frequency coils is configured to detect MR signals produced within the vertically oriented main magnetic B 0 field.

12 . The MRI system of claim 11 , wherein the MRI system operates with a B 0 field strength between 0.2 T and 0.01 T, and wherein each of the plurality of radio frequency coils includes a conductor having a length between 100 and 1000 cm.

13 . The MRI system of claim 11 , further comprising a base coupled to the flexible substrate and configured to support the anatomy of the patient.

14 . The MRI system of claim 13 , wherein the base comprises a releasable securing mechanism configured to mechanically couple the base to a member attached to the MRI system at a location such that the releasable securing mechanism is coupled to the member, the radio frequency apparatus is substantially within an imaging region of the MRI system.

15 . The MRI system of claim 13 , wherein the base houses electronics configured to receive signals from the plurality of radio frequency coils.

16 . The MRI system of claim 13 , wherein the base comprises a valley portion configured to accommodate the anatomy being imaged, the valley formed by a pair of shoulders on respective sides of the base.

17 . The MRI system of claim 13 , wherein the base is rigid.

18 . The MRI system claim 11 , wherein the flexible substrate comprises a first aperture through which each of the plurality of radio frequency coils passes through.

19 . The MRI system of claim 18 , further comprising a base coupled to the flexible substrate and configured to support the anatomy of the patient and house electronics for the plurality of radio frequency coils, wherein the base comprises a second aperture through which each of the plurality of radio frequency coils passes through to connect the plurality of radio frequency coils to the electronics housed by the base.

20 . A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprising:

a B 0 magnet that produces a main magnetic B 0 field;

a first radio frequency apparatus comprising at least one radio frequency transmit coil; and

a second radio frequency apparatus configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within the MRI system, the second radio frequency apparatus comprising:

a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient; and

a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils including a conductor forming a plurality of turns and oriented to detect MR signals produced within the main magnetic B 0 field.