Inherently decoupled solenoid pair elements
The present invention relates to an element configuration within an RF coil for use for MRI. The invention provides for an inherently electromagnetically decoupled solenoid element pair for receiving radio frequency magnetic resonance signals within a vertical field MRI system. The elements of the solenoid element pair described herein are typically positioned in a coplanar, side-by-side position. The decoupling of the solenoid pair can be accomplished through numerous methods including but not limited to an overlapping between the elements of the solenoid pair, use of a capacitor shared between the elements of the solenoid pair, or the use of overlapped inductors between the elements of the solenoid pair.
1. An element configuration for use in a radiofrequency receive coil designed for use with a vertical field magnetic resonance imaging system which comprises:
a first solenoid element; and
a second solenoid element positioned generally coplanar to said first solenoid element along an axial plane;
wherein said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are effectively decoupled from one another.
2. The element configuration of claim 1 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are single turn solenoid elements.
3. The element configuration of claim 1 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are multi-turn solenoid elements.
4. The element configuration of claim 3 wherein said first multi-turn solenoid element and
said second multi-turn solenoid element are counter-wound solenoid elements.
5. The element configuration of claim 1 wherein
said decoupling is accomplished by creating an overlapped area between said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element.
6. The element configuration of claim 5 wherein
said overlapped area is created by a bulbous extension protruding from said first solenoid element and a bulbous extension protruding from said second solenoid element.
7. The element configuration of claim 5 wherein
said overlapped area is created by at least one bulbous extension protruding from said first solenoid element or said second solenoid element.
8. The element configuration of claim 5 wherein
said overlapped area is created by a portion of said first solenoid element and a portion of said second solenoid element wherein said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are generally circular in shape.
9. The element configuration of claim 1 wherein
said decoupling is accomplished by the placement of at least one shared capacitor between said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element.
10. The element configuration of claim 1 wherein
said decoupling is accomplished by the placement of at least two overlapping inductors between said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element.
11. An element configuration for use in a radiofrequency receive coil designed for use with a vertical field magnetic resonance imaging system which comprises:
a first solenoid element; and
a second solenoid element positioned generally coplanar to said first solenoid element along an axial plane;
wherein said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are positioned such that an overlapped area exists between said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element to effectively decouple said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element from one another.
12. The element configuration of claim 11 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are single turn solenoid elements.
13. The element configuration of claim 11 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are multi-turn solenoid elements.
14. The element configuration of claim 13 wherein
said first multi-turn solenoid element and said second multi-turn solenoid element are counter-wound solenoid elements.
15. The element configuration of claim 11 wherein
said overlapped area is created by a bulbous extension protruding from said first solenoid element and a bulbous extension protruding from said second solenoid element.
16. The element configuration of claim 11 wherein
said overlapped area is created by at least one bulbous extension protruding from said first solenoid element or said second solenoid element.
17. The element configuration of claim 11 wherein
said overlapped area is created by a portion of said first solenoid element and a portion of said second solenoid element wherein said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are generally circular in shape.
18. An element configuration for use in a radiofrequency receive coil designed for use with a vertical field magnetic resonance imaging system which comprises:
a first solenoid element; and
a second solenoid element positioned generally coplanar to said first solenoid element along an axial plane;
wherein at least one shared capacitor is positioned between said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element to effectively decouple said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element from one another.
19. The element configuration of claim 18 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are single turn solenoid elements.
20. The element configuration of claim 18 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are multi-turn solenoid elements.
21. The element configuration of claim 20 wherein
said first multi-turn solenoid element and said second multi-turn solenoid element are counter-wound solenoid elements.
22. An element configuration for use in a radiofrequency receive coil designed for use with a vertical field magnetic resonance imaging system which comprises:
a first solenoid element; and
a second solenoid element positioned generally coplanar to said first solenoid element along an axial plane;
wherein at least two overlapped inductors are positioned between said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element to effectively decouple said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element from one another.
23. The element configuration of claim 22 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are single turn solenoid elements.
24. The element configuration of claim 22 wherein
said first solenoid element and said second solenoid element are multi-turn solenoid elements.
25. The element configuration of claim 24 wherein
said first multi-turn solenoid element and said second multi-turn solenoid element are counter-wound solenoid elements.