Flexible radio frequency coil apparatus and methods for magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

A radio frequency apparatus is described herein for facilitating imaging of a patient positioned within a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a B0 magnet. The radio frequency apparatus may be configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system, the radio frequency apparatus comprising a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient and a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils forming a plurality of turns.

1 . A radio frequency apparatus configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system, the radio frequency apparatus comprising:
 a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient; and   a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils forming a plurality of turns.   
     
     
         2 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of radio frequency coils comprises a conductor, each conductor being arranged in a plurality of turns. 
     
     
         3 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the conductor of each of the plurality of radio frequency coils comprises between three and fifteen turns. 
     
     
         4 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each conductor has a length between 100 and 1000 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils comprises a plurality of proximal coils and a plurality of distal coils and each of the plurality of proximal coils is larger than each of the plurality of distal coils. 
     
     
         6 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils further comprises a plurality of central coils positioned between the plurality of proximal coils and the plurality of distal coils. 
     
     
         7 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of central coils is larger than each of the plurality of proximal coils and each of the plurality of distal coils. 
     
     
         8 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener configured to hold the flexible substrate in place after it has been positioned about the anatomy of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible substrate comprises a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils is coupled to the flexible substrate between the first layer and the second layer of the flexible substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The radio frequency apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anatomy of the patient includes a knee. 
     
     
         11 . A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprising:
 a B 0  magnet that produces a main magnetic B 0  field oriented along a vertical axis; and   a radio frequency apparatus configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within the MRI system, the radio frequency apparatus comprising:
 a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient; and 
 a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils including a conductor forming a plurality of turns and oriented such that, when the flexible substrate is positioned about the anatomy of the patient and placed within the main magnetic B 0  field, the plurality of radio frequency coils is configured to detect MR signals produced within the vertically oriented main magnetic B 0  field. 
   
     
     
         12 . The MRI system of  claim 11 , wherein the MRI system operates with a B 0  field strength between 0.2 T and 0.01 T, and wherein each of the plurality of radio frequency coils includes a conductor having a length between 100 and 1000 cm. 
     
     
         13 . The MRI system of  claim 11 , further comprising a base coupled to the flexible substrate and configured to support the anatomy of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The MRI system of  claim 13 , wherein the base comprises a releasable securing mechanism configured to mechanically couple the base to a member attached to the MRI system at a location such that the releasable securing mechanism is coupled to the member, the radio frequency apparatus is substantially within an imaging region of the MRI system. 
     
     
         15 . The MRI system of  claim 13 , wherein the base houses electronics configured to receive signals from the plurality of radio frequency coils. 
     
     
         16 . The MRI system of  claim 13 , wherein the base comprises a valley portion configured to accommodate the anatomy being imaged, the valley formed by a pair of shoulders on respective sides of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The MRI system of  claim 13 , wherein the base is rigid. 
     
     
         18 . The MRI system  claim 11 , wherein the flexible substrate comprises a first aperture through which each of the plurality of radio frequency coils passes through. 
     
     
         19 . The MRI system of  claim 18 , further comprising a base coupled to the flexible substrate and configured to support the anatomy of the patient and house electronics for the plurality of radio frequency coils, wherein the base comprises a second aperture through which each of the plurality of radio frequency coils passes through to connect the plurality of radio frequency coils to the electronics housed by the base. 
     
     
         20 . A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system configured to image a patient positioned within the MRI system, the MRI system comprising:
 a B 0  magnet that produces a main magnetic B 0  field;   a first radio frequency apparatus comprising at least one radio frequency transmit coil; and   a second radio frequency apparatus configured to detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from anatomy of a patient when positioned within the MRI system, the second radio frequency apparatus comprising:
 a flexible substrate capable of being positioned about the anatomy of the patient; and 
 a plurality of radio frequency coils coupled to the flexible substrate, each of the plurality of radio frequency coils including a conductor forming a plurality of turns and oriented to detect MR signals produced within the main magnetic B 0  field.