Radio frequency shield for nuclear magnetic resonance procedures

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing RF shielding for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) procedures, comprising a radio-opaque holder in combination with radio-opaque magnet components to form an RF shield around a patient undergoing an NMR procedure. In embodiments, a radio-opaque holder having a radio-opaque bottom portion and a radio-opaque canopy is adjoined to an NMR magnet having a radio-opaque cryostat and a radio-opaque service end cap to form an RF shield. A patient is placed on a patient support unit located in the holder bottom portion. The patient support unit, including the patient, is then inserted into the cavity of the NMR magnet and a canopy is placed on top of the bottom portion of the holder. An RF shield is thus created comprising the canopy, the bottom portion, the cryostat of the magnet, and an end cap on the service end of the magnet.

1 . A system for providing RF shielding comprising: 
 a holder comprising holder-RF-shielding; and    a magnet comprising magnet-RF-shielding, the magnet-RF-shielding configured, when the holder is adjoined to the magnet, for combining with the holder-RF-shielding to form a substantially complete RF shield, wherein the magnet itself comprises magnet-RF-shielding.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a bottom portion comprising RF shielding.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the holder further comprises a canopy comprising RF shielding.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the holder further comprises a patient end cap comprising RF shielding.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the canopy removably attaches to the bottom portion.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the patient end cap removably attaches to the bottom portion.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the patient end cap comprises apertures.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom portion comprises apertures.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet-RF-shielding comprises a service end cap.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the magnet-RF-shielding further comprises a cryostat.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet-RF-shielding further comprises an RF shield liner configured to combine with the service end cap and the holder-RF-shielding to form a substantially complete RF shield.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a positioning means attached to the holder.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the positioning means comprises: 
 a support configured to support the holder; and    means for locomotion.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the means for locomotion comprises wheels.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the means for locomotion comprises rollers.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a patient support unit.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF transmitter antenna and an RF receiver antenna.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF coil.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the patient support unit comprises a support configured to hold an animal.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the patient support unit comprises a support configured to hold a human.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the support is adapted to hold an animal in an inverted position.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a cross section of the support is configured substantially to match the curvature of an animal's spine.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein a cross section of the support is substantially U-shaped.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein a cross section of the support is substantially V-shaped.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF transmitter antenna and an RF receiver antenna.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF coil.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the RF coil comprises a non-planar coil.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein a cross section of the RF coil substantially matches a cross section of the support.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the RF coil comprises a plurality of loops.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the RF coil comprises an upper RF coil connected to a lower RF coil.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the RF coil is movable.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the patient support unit comprises straps for holding an animal.