Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Hermann Requardt

Norbert Krause

Guenther Decke

Wilfried Schnell

Andreas Potthast

Karsten Wicklow

Heinrich Kolem

Rolf Sauter

Peter Erhard

For improving the spectral resolution and/or the signal-to-noise ratio of a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus for examining first types of atomic nuclei that are nuclear-magnetically coupled to second types of atomic nuclei, signals are additionally emitted on the resonant frequency of the second type of atomic nucleus during the examination of the first type of atomic nucleus. To this end, the nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus includes a reception channel and only one transmission channel for both resonant frequencies. The transmission channel contains a respective synthesizer for each resonant frequency, which define the transmission frequency and contains a modulator unit shared in common by both resonant frequencies.

Nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus having at least two transmission

A double surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as two individual coils, each individual coils being formed by two sub-coils connected in parallel. A series circuit of a capacitor and an inductor is connected in each sub-coil, with a series circuit of a capacitor and a controllable switch being connected in parallel with each inductor. By appropriate drive of switches, both individual coils, one individual coil by itself, or both individual coils in alternating operation can be activated.

Double surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus

A double surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus has two individual coils which are connectable to a transmission/reception circuit via a matching network. The coils are connected together at a junction. Each coil has a controllable switch connected between the junction and the matching circuit. The individual surface coils can thus be controlled with a low number of controlled elements in any desired operating mode.

A surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus has a number of conductor sections arranged relative to each other. These sections can be connected to one another and to a reception unit by employing switches to enclose a preferable conductor geometry to obtain a localized image. The outer contour formed by the conductor sections is geometrically configured such that the width of the surface coil changes over its length. Thus, the coil can be positioned to conform to both an area and position which allow every segment of the localized area of interest of the examination subject to be examined with optimal signal-to-noise ratio. Further, a transmission coil which encompasses the conductor section is capable of transmitting localized radio-frequency signals, thus, eliminating the need for the use of a whole-body resonator for imaging localized areas of interest.

Surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus

A surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus has a number of conductor sections arranged relative to each other. These sections can be connected to one another to a reception unit by employing switches to enclose a preferable conductor geometry to obtain a localized image. The active coil segments form reception loops of various size and/or position. Every possible reception loop which may be created by activating various segments contains both a first variable capacitance and a second variable capacitance serving as a serial connection between the reception loop and the signal line or the signal reference line. Such an arrangement allows for activation of individual coil segments which are tuned to the resonance frequency of the nuclear magnetic resonant apparatus and which are adapted to the impedance of the input lines of the evaluation unit.

A surface coil for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus has a number of conductor sections arranged relative to each other. Switches are provided to connect the conductor sections in different combinations. Each combination outlines a differently sized area, or a different region, of the patient. The switches also connect the combination of conductor sections which is to be utilized to a tuning circuit. A single surface coil can thus be used to examine different regions of a patient without the coil having to be physically displaced. The different combinations of conductor sections, which connected, may form a rectangle which is adjacent to, or overlaps, a rectangle of unconnected sections.

A surface resonator suitable for use in nuclear magnetic resonance equipment has two adjacently disposed windings, the respective ends of each winding being connected to each other through a series circuit including two capacitors. The respective junctions of the capacitors with each other constitute the electrical symmetry point for each winding, and are connected to ground. The signal tap for the surface resonator is galvanically taken at the ends of each winding. The surface resonator can be used for imaging and spectroscopy using nuclear magnetic resonance principles.

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Erlangen, Germany

Hermann Requardt