Patent ID: 6549799
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
Apparatus for the concurrent acquisition of images for a corresponding plurality of objects, comprising(a) a polarizing magnet for maintaining a uniform magnetic field over a selected volume, (b) magnetic gradient module for establishing a magnetic gradient of selected direction and selected magnitude over said sensitive volume, (c) a first plurality of K groups of RF cells, K>1, each said group comprising N said cells, each said RF cell defining a subspace of said sensitive volume for containing one of said plurality of objects, (d) an RF power source switchable to selected one of said K groups and distributed concurrently to each said plurality of N said cells, (e) a plurality of N RF receivers, each said receiver deriving a signal selected from corresponding said cells of said K groups, each said RF cell comprising a transmit/receive isolator for isolated communication between said RF source or said corresponding RF receiver and an RF coil, a controller providing excitation control signals to said RF power source to direct RF power to said selected group, and providing receiver signal derivation logic to said plurality of N receivers.