Patent ID: 7683623
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A radio frequency coil for magnetic resonance imaging or spectroscopy, the coil comprising: a plurality of generally parallel conductive members surrounding a region of interest; one or more end members disposed generally transverse to the plurality of parallel conductive members; a generally cylindrical radio frequency shield surrounding the plurality of generally parallel conductive members; and switchable circuitry selectably including TEM switches selectively connecting the conductive members with the radio frequency shield, the switchable circuitry having (i) a first switched configuration having the TEM switches open in which the conductive members are operatively connected with the one or more end members, and (ii) a second switched configuration having the TEM switches closed in which the conductive members are operatively connected with the radio frequency shield, the radio frequency coil operating in a birdcage resonance mode in the first switched configuration and operating in a TEM resonance mode in the second switched configuration, the switchable circuitry further selected from a group consisting of: