Patent ID: 7084630

Claim:
A multi-modal RF coil capable of being used within an MRI system, comprising: a segmented annular base ring conductor having a central axis and including at least one segment configured for direct connection to an arcuate conductor and at least two additional segments; a plurality of capacitive electrical connections, at least one of the capacitive electrical connections disposed between each of the segments of the segmented annular base ring conductor; and at least one arcuate conductor symmetrically disposed with respect to the central axis of the segmented annular base ring conductor, each arcuate conductor disposed in a corresponding plane orthogonal to the base ring conductor and each at least one arcuate conductor respectively having a first end and a second end terminating at spatially distinct positions along the segmented annular base ring conductor, each first end terminating in direct contact with one of the at least one segment(s) of the segmented annular base ring conductor configured for direct connection to at least one of the arcuate conductors, and each second end of each respective at least one arcuate conductor providing an electrical connection between two of the at least two additional segments of the segmented annular base ring conductor via at least two of the plurality of capacitive electrical connections of the segmented annular base ring conductor; wherein the plurality of capacitive electrical connections of the segmented annular base ring conductor comprise fixed or tunable capacitive electrical connections permitting resonance tuning of the multi-modal RF coil.