MAGNETIC FIELD PROBE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) APPLICATIONS

摘要

A magnetic field probe (2) for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging applications in a main magnetic field (B) comprises a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) active substance (4) located in a resonance region (6) within an elongated probe compartment (8) mutually oriented along a longitudinal probe axis (A) and having a proximal end (10) and a distal end (12) and means (14) for pulsed NMR excitation of said substance at a probe RF and for receiving an NMR signal generated by said substance. The field probe further comprises a shield (16) against external high-frequency electromagnetic field irradiation, the shield substantially surrounding the probe compartment and the excitation and receiving means. The excitation and receiving means comprise an electrically conductive structure comprising a coil member (18) disposed around said resonance region and further comprising a pair of connecting leads (20), said connecting leads forming an electrical connection between respective ends of the coil member and an RF coupling unit (22) arranged near said proximal end, said connecting leads being oriented along said longitudinal probe axis, said RF coupling unit being configured for connecting to an external RF line (32) which is connectable to external RF driver and receiver means. The shield has an elongated shape oriented substantially along said longitudinal probe axis (A).