Electricity: measuring and testing – Particle precession resonance – Spectrometer components
Utility Patent
1998-05-11
2001-01-02
Arana, Louis (Department: 2862)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Particle precession resonance
Spectrometer components
C324S322000
Utility Patent
active
06169400
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a radio frequency coil, and more particularly an improvement of the radio frequency coil which is formed as a cylinder for storing an inspected object and in which this cylinder can be developed into a sheet.
In the case that an MRI processing, i.e. a Magnetic Resonance Imaging operation is carried out, a spin of a hydrogen atomic core or the like, for example, in an inspected object placed within a static magnetic field is excited to generate a magnetic resonance signal (MR signal), the MR signal is received by the radio frequency coil and then a spatial distribution image of the spin within the inspected object is generated in response to the received signal. The spatial distribution image of the spin expresses an internal image of the inspected object, thereby an imaging within the inspected object can be carried out.
As a method for applying a static magnetic field for the inspected object, there is provided a method for applying the static magnetic field in an orientation perpendicular to an axis of the body of the inspected object. As the vertical magnetic field system, there is provided a static magnetic field generating device in which two permanent magnets, for example, are oppositely faced to each other in an upward or downward orientation. This system is preferable in view of the fact that the static magnetic field generating device can be formed of an open-air type structure and a psychological burden of an inspected person can be reduced. In addition, this system is preferable in view of the fact that the static magnetic field space is set to be flat in a lateral direction and an inspected person having a little bit wider body width size can be received within the device without any trouble.
In order to receive a MR signal from a main body of the inspected body or the like, a radio frequency coil forming a cylindrical shape is used. The radio frequency coil is comprised of a base section installed at an imaging table and a pair of flexible sections fixed to both sides of the base section. The flexible section is comprised of a flexible base plate having a coil pattern and of an envelope enclosing the base plate.
The free ends of a pair of flexible sections are connected by a coupling section from each other to form a cylinder member. The connected state of the coupling section is released to cause a pair of flexible sections to be developed into a sheet-form at both sides of the base section. Riding-on or riding-off of the inspected body onto or from an imaging table is carried out under this developed state.
It is sometimes occurred that when the connected state of the coupling section is released to develop the radio frequency coil, extremity ends of the flexible section suspended at both sides of the imaging table may strike against side surfaces of the imaging table due to resiliency.
In the case that the connecting section is made of solid material such as a connector or the like, a substantial high striking sound is generated to prohibit a still state of the inspected person. In addition, this striking action may cause the side surfaces of the imaging table or the connector or the like to be damaged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to realize a radio frequency coil in which the extremity ends of the flexible section do not strike against the side surfaces of the inspected body mounting table when it is developed.
A first feature of the invention for solving the aforesaid problem is characterized in that the same is comprised of a base member; a pair of flexible base plates each of which has a coil circuit, one end of each of which is fixed to both sides of the base member, their intermediate section being curved to cause the other ends to be connected when a cylinder member is formed; connector members for connecting the other ends of the pair of flexible base plates to each other in such a way that they may be separated; shape defining members fixed at sides of the pair of flexible base plates which are inside the cylinder so as to define a curved shape of each of the pair of flexible base plates when the cylinder is formed; and a sheet member applied from one end to the other end of the pair of flexible base plates along the side of the shape defining members inside the cylinder.
In the first feature of the invention, the extremity ends of the flexible base plates are directed in an outward direction by a tension force applied to the sheet member when the flexible base plates are suspended down by the developed state of the radio frequency coil. Due to this fact, the extremity ends of the flexible base plates do not strike against the side surfaces of the inspected body mounting table. That is, it possible to realize the radio frequency coil in which the extremity ends of the flexible section do not strike against the side surfaces of the inspected body mounting table.
In the first feature of the invention, it is preferable to make the sheet member by fabric because the fabric is soft and durable against a tension force.
A second feature of the invention for overcoming the aforesaid problem is characterized in that the same is comprised of a base member; a pair of flexible base plates each of which has a coil circuit, one end of each of which is fixed to both sides of the base member, their intermediate section being curved to cause the other ends to be connected when a cylinder member is formed; connector members for connecting the other ends of the pair of flexible base plates to each other in such a way that they may be separated; shape defining members fixed at sides of the pair of flexible base plates which are inside the cylinder so as to define a curved shape of each of the pair of flexible base plates when the cylinder is formed; and a fixing member for use in fixing the latter of both a curved state at the base member side of the pair of flexible base plates defined by the shape defining members and a curved state at the connector member side of the pair of flexible base plates defined by the shape defining members.
In the second feature of the invention, since the curved state of the flexible base plate at the connector member side is fixed by the fixing member, the extremity end may be directed outward when the flexible base plate is suspended downward by the development of the radio frequency coil. Due to this fact, the extremity end of the flexible base plate does not strike against the side surface of the inspected body mounting table. That is, it is possible to realize the radio frequency coil in which the extremity end of the flexible section does not strike against the side surface of the inspected body mounting table during development operation.
A third feature of the invention for overcoming the aforesaid problem according to the first and second inventions is characterized in that the shape defining member has a plurality of parallel-connected grooves at an inner side of the cylinder extending axially in the cylinder.
In the third feature of the invention, the shape defining member prevents the flexible base plate from being curved at a place where the opening of the groove is closed so as to define its curved shape. Due to this fact, it is possible to define the curved shape of the flexible base plate by a simple mechanism.
In the third feature of the invention, it is preferable in view of dampening a rate of curvature in bending applied to the flexible base plate that the groove of the shape defining member is a U-shaped groove.
In addition, in the third feature of the invention, it is preferable in view of increasing a rigidity of a curved shape of the cylinder that the groove of the shape defining member is a V-shaped groove.
A fourth feature of the invention for overcoming the aforesaid problem is characterized in that the same is comprised of a base member; a pair of flexible base plates each of which has a coil circuit, one end of each of which is fixed to both sides of the base member, their intermediate section being curved to cause the ot
Arana Louis
GE Yokogawa Medical Systems Limited
Kojima Moonray
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