The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 16, 2010
Brian Brown, Wauwatosa, WI (US);
Steven Wolff, New York, NY (US);
Kyle Johnson, Waukesha, WI (US);
Glenn Wells, Elm Grove, WI (US);
Venkat Goruganti, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Brian Brown, Wauwatosa, WI (US);
Steven Wolff, New York, NY (US);
Kyle Johnson, Waukesha, WI (US);
Glenn Wells, Elm Grove, WI (US);
Venkat Goruganti, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Neocoil, LLC, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
The present invention discloses a modular MRI imaging system. The imaging system includes MRI radio-frequency antenna arrays separate from the patient support structure. The antenna arrays are affixed to a thin, flexible film such that they may be located next to the anatomical region of interest. In addition, multiple antenna arrays may be configured in various planar or three-dimensional arrangements to optimize the FOV and SNR. Separate patient support structures are provided that enhance ergonomics and patient stabilization. By removing the antenna from the housing, the support structures may be designed without the constraints of supporting the antenna or the associated electronics. The MRI imaging system further employs a preamplifier module. The preamplifier module houses the preamplifier and much of the other associated circuitry for each of the antennae. The preamplifier module operates to combine the signals from the antenna arrays and pass the signals to the MRI system.