Patent ID: 6798200
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B82Y,G01R

Abstract:
A batch-fabricated array of dimensionally scaled-down Integrated Micro Coil Structure (IMCS) wherein each IMCS having a plurality of multi-layer gradient coils and a set of multi-layer Radio Frequency (RF) coils for high resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging to capture the time evolution of a three dimensional image of an object, the IMCS comprising, expressed in an x-y-z Cartesian coordinate system:an x-gradient coil set generating, when energized with an x-gradient coil current, a magnetic field B1 with a uniform x-gradient; a y-gradient coil set co-located with said x-gradient coil set, said y-gradient coil set generating, when energized with a y-gradient coil current, a magnetic field B2 with a uniform y-gradient and substantially overlapping the uniform space of the said magnetic field B1; a z-gradient coil set co-located with said x-gradient coil set and said y-gradient coil set, said z-gradient coil set generating, when energized with a z-gradient coil current, a magnetic field B3 with a z-gradient and substantially overlapping the uniform gradient space of said magnetic field B1 and said magnetic field B2 thus defining an analysis chamber being the spatial zone of overlapping of said uniform gradient space of said magnetic fields B1, B2 and B3; an RF coil set for, when coupled with an external RF power driver and an external RF receiver, generating and introducing an RF excitation into said analysis chamber and detecting an RF signal emitted from said analysis chamber; a shielding coil set for compensating magnetic field components to achieve a desired magnetic field pattern outside of said analysis chamber; the coil traces of said x-, y- and z-gradient coil sets, said RF coil set and said shielding coil set being made of an electrically conductive material; and where the key scaled-down geometric parameters having the following ranges: a maximum wire size in the range of about 10 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m for said x-, y- and z-gradient coil sets, said RF coil set and said shielding coil set; a minimum layer thickness of about 20 &mgr;m; said analysis chamber size being in a range of about 25 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m; and the overall size, in terms of a maximum overall linear dimension, of said IMCS being less than or equal to about 10 mm.