Double-Resonant Coil and Array of Double-Resonant Coils and Their Use

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The invention describes a double-resonant coil and coil array designed for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Each coil can efficiently operate at two different resonance frequencies, such as those for hydrogen (protons) and various "X-nuclei" (like sodium or phosphorus), by using a specific arrangement of circuit elements (inductors and capacitors) and switchable connections. This enables simultaneous or sequential imaging or spectroscopy of different nuclei within biological tissue, improving imaging flexibility and signal quality.

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• High-field MRI systems for combined imaging and spectroscopy of protons and other nuclei (X-nuclei) like sodium, phosphorus, or carbon.
• Clinical brain imaging and spectroscopy that require both anatomical (proton) and metabolic (X-nuclei) information.
• Development of high-density receive arrays for advanced MRI applications, especially in neuroimaging.
• Preclinical research on metabolic processes using multinuclear MR techniques.
• Customization of coil arrays for imaging specific body parts in dual-frequency MRI or NMR studies.

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• Allows simultaneous or sequential measurement of different nuclei (e.g., hydrogen and phosphorus) in the same scan without the need to switch coils.
• Improves signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for both frequencies, ensuring high-quality imaging and spectroscopy.
• Reduces the need for multiple coils or large numbers of components, resulting in compact and efficient device arrays.
• Optimized for high-channel count arrays with small geometric sizes, which are necessary for high-resolution imaging at high magnetic fields (>7 Tesla).
• Enables homogeneous excitation/distribution for different frequencies, critical for accurate quantification and imaging.
• Minimizes electrical losses despite having dual-resonance capability, thus maintaining sensitivity comparable to single-frequency coils.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a double-resonant coil (1) consisting of a closed conductor loop which has an interruption at two positions, each interruption being bridged by a connection element which can be converted from an electrically conductive state to an electrically insulating state. The first interruption has a connection element, to which an inductor (3, 8) or a capacitor (4, 9) is connected in series, thereby allowing the excitation of the conductor loop in a dipole mode at one frequency and with a homogeneous power distribution at a second frequency. The invention additionally relates to an array comprising the double-resonant coil and to the use of the double-resonant coil or an array.