US 11,994,569 B2
Radio frequency coil assemblies for magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods for making them
Edwin L. Legall, North Prairie, WI (US); Louis J. Vannatta, Crystal Lake, IL (US); Gaines Hartley, Florence, SC (US); William J. Bonneau, Waukesha, WI (US); Thomas K. Foo, Clifton Park, NY (US); and Dan K. Spence, Saratoga, NY (US)
Assigned to GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed by GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/943,911.
Prior Publication US 2024/0085505 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. G01R 33/385 (2006.01); G01R 33/34 (2006.01); G01R 33/38 (2006.01); H01F 6/06 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 33/3856 (2013.01) [G01R 33/34015 (2013.01); G01R 33/3403 (2013.01); G01R 33/3804 (2013.01); H01F 6/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An RF coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the RF coil assembly comprising:
a support structure extending between a first end and a second end in a first direction and extending between an inner surface and an opposite outer surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the support structure has channels that extend into the support structure in the second direction; and
an RF coil configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals, wherein the RF coil is supported by the outer surface of the support structure, and wherein the RF coil extends between a first end and a second end in the first direction with a center therebetween;
wherein the channels are at least partially positioned between the support structure and the RF coil in the first direction, wherein the channels are configured to convey a cooling medium for cooling the support structure in use, and wherein the channels are distributed unevenly in the first direction so as to provide more cooling for the support structure near the first end and the second end of the RF coil than near the center of the RF coil.