Patent ID: 7508212
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for acquiring magnetic resonance data from one spin species using magnetization transfer from another spin species having a different Larmor frequency, the combination comprising: a resonator having a cylindrical shield formed around a central axis and having plurality of pairs of opposing conductive legs arranged symmetrically around the central axis with the pairs of opposing conductive legs being divided into a first set and a second set, each conductive leg extending from one end of the cylindrical shield to another end of the cylindrical shield; means for tuning each conductive leg in the first set to the Larmor frequency of the first spin species; means for tuning each conductive leg in the second set to the Larmor frequency of the second spin species; first drive circuitry connected to each pair of opposing conductive legs in the first set and being operable to establish substantially equal and opposite current flow in opposing conductive legs at the Larmor frequency of the first spin species; second drive circuitry connected to each pair of opposing conductive legs in the second set and being operable to establish substantially equal and opposite current flow in opposing conductive legs at the Larmor frequency of the second spin species; and means for directing the first drive circuit to excite the first spin species and thereby transfer magnetization to the second spin species and for directing the second drive circuit to excite the second spin species and acquire a magnetic resonance signal from the same.