Patent ID: 8285361
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic resonance imaging radiofrequency receive coil for imaging the human breast region of a patient in a vertical-field MRI system, said coil comprising: (a) a housing, wherein said housing includes a left cup portion and a right cup portion, both said left and right cup portions being defined by a left side, a right side, a head side, a foot side and a bottom side, and said housing further defining a left and a right side of the coil; (b) at least seven loop elements, wherein at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned on the left side of the left cup portion, at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned on the right side of the right cup portion; at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned between said left cup portion and said right cup portion; at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned on the head side of the right cup portion, at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned on the head side of the left cup portion; at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned on the foot side of the right cup portion; and at least one of said at least seven loop elements is positioned on the foot side of the left cup portion; and (c) at least two elements, wherein at least one of said at least two elements is positioned on the bottom side of the left cup portion and another at least one of said at least two elements is positioned on the bottom side of the right cup portion; wherein; said at least seven loop elements and said at least two elements are arranged to facilitate imaging of the human breast region of a patient in a vertical-field MRI system; and said at least seven loop elements and said at least two elements cooperate to facilitate parallel imaging.