RF coil and apparatus to reduce acoustic noise in an MRI system
A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a first end ring section containing a plurality of openings and a second end ring section containing a plurality of openings. A plurality of rungs is disposed between the first end ring section and the second end ring section. Each rung has a first end connected to the first end ring section and a second end connected to the second end ring section. Each rung can also include a plurality of openings. The openings in the end rings and rungs reduces eddy currents and improves RF performance of the RF coil.
1. A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the RF coil comprising:
a first end ring section;
a second end ring section;
a plurality of rungs disposed between the first end ring section and the second end ring section, each rung comprising a first end connected to the first end ring section and a second end connected to the second end ring section;
a first plurality of openings located in the first end ring section; and
a second plurality of openings located in the second end ring section.
2. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein each rung further comprises:
a first opening located in proximity to the first end of the rung; and
a second opening located in proximity to the second end of the rung.
3. An RF coil according to claim 2 , wherein each rung further comprises:
a slit having a width, a first end connected to the first opening and a second end connected to the second opening; and
a capacitor coupled across the width of the slit.
4. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein the first end ring section further comprises a plurality of capacitors.
5. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein the second end ring section further comprises a plurality of capacitors.
6. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rungs are constructed of a material with high electrical conductivity.
7. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein each opening in the first plurality of openings has a rectangular shape.
8. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein each opening in the second plurality of openings has a rectangular shape.
9. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein each opening in the first plurality of openings has a U-shape.
10. An RF coil according to claim 1 , wherein each opening in the second plurality of openings has a U-shape.
11. A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the RF coil comprising:
a first end ring section;
a second end ring section; and
a plurality of rungs disposed between the first end ring section and the second end ring section, each rung comprising:
a first end connected to the first end ring section;
a second end connected to the second end ring section;
a first opening located at the first end of the rung;
a second opening located at the second end of the rung;
a slit having a width, a first end connected to the first opening and a second end connected to the second opening; and
a capacitor coupled across the width of the slit.
12. An RF coil according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a first plurality of openings located in the first end ring section; and
a second plurality of openings located in the second end ring.
13. An RF coil according to claim 12 , wherein the first end ring section further comprises a plurality of capacitors.
14. An RF coil according to claim 12 , wherein the second end ring section further comprises a plurality of capacitors.
15. A resonance assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assembly, the resonance assembly comprising:
a superconducting magnet;
a gradient coil assembly disposed within an inner diameter of the superconducting magnet; and
an RF coil disposed within an inner diameter of the gradient coil assembly and comprising a first end ring section having a plurality of openings, a second end ring section having a plurality of openings and a plurality of rungs disposed between the first end ring section and the second end ring section.
16. A resonance assembly according to claim 15 , wherein each rung comprises a plurality of openings.
17. A resonance assembly according to claim 16 , wherein each rung further comprises:
a slit having a width; and
a capacitor coupled across the width of the slit.
18. A resonance assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of rungs are constructed of a material with high electrical conductivity.