Magnetic resonance local coil device, magnetic resonance local coil system and magnetic resonance equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a magnetic resonance local coil device, a system with the magnetic resonance local coil device and patient supporting equipment, and magnetic resonance equipment. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement comprises a lower part and an upper part, the lower part and the upper part in a connected state define a space volume in which a body part of a patient can be supported during a magnetic resonance examination, the lower part is configured to be positioned on a patient support device of a magnetic resonance apparatus, and the upper part is configured to be positioned on the patient support device of the magnetic resonance apparatus. The lower part and the upper part have a total height in the connected state, and wherein the lower part has a height less than 1 / 3, in particular less than 1 / 4, of the total height.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a magnetic resonance local coil device, a system with a magnetic resonance local coil device and a patient support apparatus, and a magnetic resonance apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] In medical technology, imaging methods are important auxiliary means. The imaging with the aid of magnetic resonance (MR), also known as magnetic resonance tomography (English: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, abbreviation: MRI), is distinguished by a high and variable soft-tissue contrast. In this case, a spatially homogeneous main magnetic field is generated with the aid of a magnetic resonance apparatus, in which the patient is located during the magnetic resonance examination. High-frequency electromagnetic signals (HF signals, in English: RF signals) are radiated onto the patient, exciting the atomic nuclei of the patient. The excited atomic nuclei radiate magnetic resonance signals, which are received by one or more magnetic resonance local coil devices (referred to as local coils in short) and conducted to an evaluation unit of the magnetic resonance apparatus. From the received magnetic resonance signals, the evaluation unit calculates one or more magnetic resonance images.

[0003] When a patient is examined in a current magnetic resonance apparatus, patients who are unable to move autonomously are usually moved on a lying surface of another transport apparatus, for example a mobile bed or a lying board, to the patient support apparatus of the magnetic resonance apparatus. In the case of a stationary patient support apparatus, this can be achieved directly on the magnetic resonance apparatus, or in the case of a mobile patient support apparatus, the mobile patient support apparatus can be moved to the location at which the patient is to be positioned. Weak and bedridden patients are often also very seriously ill patients, who require a great deal of effort on the part of the radiology staff to transport the patient from one support surface to another. For this purpose, a sheet or a plastic mat is usually inserted under the patient, so that the staff can grasp them and can transport the patient from one support surface to the next adjacent support surface by pulling the mat. SUMMARY

[0004] The technical problem addressed by the utility model can be that the positioning of a patient on a patient support apparatus of a magnetic resonance apparatus is made easier. This technical problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous design solutions are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] A magnetic resonance local coil device is designed for receiving and / or transmitting HF signals. The magnetic resonance local coil device comprises a lower part and an upper part, wherein the lower part and the upper part in a connected state define a spatial volume in which a body part of a patient can be supported during a magnetic resonance examination. Herein, the lower part is configured to be positioned on a patient support device of a magnetic resonance apparatus for carrying out a magnetic resonance examination. The lower part and the upper part in the connected state have a total height, wherein the lower part has a height in at least one section, in particular subsection, along a length axis of the patient which is less than 1 / 3 of the total height, in particular less than 1 / 4 of the total height.

[0006] The requirement of the lower part to have a certain maximum height in at least one section along the length axis of the patient in particular means that the lower part does not need to fulfill this requirement over the entire length along the length axis. In other sections along the length axis, the lower part can also have a height which exceeds this maximum height.

[0007] The lower part of a conventional coil usually has a height which is about 1 / 2 of the total height. In comparison, due to this smaller construction height of the lower part being only 1 / 3 of the total height, in particular less than 1 / 4, the lower part positioned on the patient support device causes less of an obstacle in particular in case the patient moves laterally on the patient support device. Thereby, the patient can be more easily pushed into the lower part, for example by a medical professional, since the height to be overcome is lower than usual. This is for example advantageous in case the patient should be moved to the patient support device of the magnetic resonance apparatus by a transport device, for example a mobile bed or a mobile bed board, for carrying out a magnetic resonance examination of the body part. This body part can for example be the head of the patient, which thus does not need to be lifted up dramatically in order to be put into the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device.

[0008] The length axis is in particular a longitudinal axis of the patient. The longitudinal axis is in particular a length axis which points from its feet to its head. When the patient lies in the magnetic resonance apparatus, its longitudinal axis is usually parallel to the z-axis of the magnetic resonance apparatus. The section along the length axis of the patient in which the height is less than 1 / 3 of the total height of the magnetic resonance local coil device, in particular less than 1 / 4, preferably extends over a length of at least 1 / 3, in particular at least 1 / 2, of the total length of the magnetic resonance local coil device along the length axis. Advantageously, the lower part in this section causes less of an obstacle for lateral movements of the patient. But it is of course also conceivable that the magnetic resonance local coil device only has a height which is less than 1 / 3 of the total height, in particular less than 1 / 4, over its total extension along the length axis.

[0009] The lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is also referred to as the rear part of the local coil; the upper part is also generally referred to as the front part. The connected state is preferably an operating position, in which HF signals, in particular magnetic resonance signals, can be received and / or HF signals, in particular excitation signals, can be transmitted.

[0010] Preferably, the upper part and / or the lower part comprise one or more antennas, in particular coil elements, for receiving and / or transmitting HF signals. Preferably, the antennas are connected, in particular electrically, to the magnetic resonance device in the connected state, so that, for example, received magnetic resonance signals can be passed on to the magnetic resonance device.

[0011] The spatial volume is in particular a three-dimensional spatial volume. The spatial volume is preferably not completely limited by the lower part and the upper part in the connected state; for example, the lower part and the upper part have a recess in at least one region, i.e. the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement has an opening in at least one region. For example, the neck of a patient can be guided through such an opening during a magnetic resonance examination, while the head of the patient is located in the spatial volume.

[0012] The spatial volume can in particular be limited downward, in particular in the direction of the earth's gravitational force when the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is used as intended, by a support surface of the lower part, wherein the height extends perpendicularly to the support surface. The support surface can also be curved, so that the direction perpendicular to the support surface can also be location-dependent.

[0013] The height direction of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is preferably oriented parallel to the direction of the earth's gravitational force, in particular opposite to the direction of the earth's gravitational force, when the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is used as intended. The direction of the earth's gravitational force is generally referred to as the y direction in the coordinate system of the magnetic resonance device, while the z direction generally defines the direction of the main magnetic field in which the magnetic resonance examination is carried out; the x direction is generally the orthogonal direction with respect to the y direction and the z direction. Finally, the earth's gravitational force is also the force that must be overcome by the body part of the patient when it is positioned on the patient support device.

[0014] The height direction of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is oriented in particular perpendicular to the coronal plane of the patient when the patient lies on the patient support device with his back.

[0015] The spatial volume, for example in the upward direction, i.e. against the force of gravity, can in particular be defined in the connected state of the upper part and the lower part, for example by the bottom side of the housing of the upper part. The spatial volume is advantageously configured to be sufficiently large in particular to accommodate the body part of the patient to be examined. The body part can be, for example, the head, the feet or the knees of the patient. Preferably, in the disconnected state of the lower part and the upper part, the body part is introduced into the lower part from above; the upper part is then inserted onto the lower part in order to establish the connected state. Preferably, in the connected state, the body part is surrounded by the antenna in order to receive HF signals, in particular magnetic resonance signals, formed in the body part and / or to emit HF signals, in particular excitation signals, into the body part in order to form magnetic resonance signals.

[0016] The patient support device comprises, for example, a patient table on which the patient lies or is supported during the magnetic resonance examination. The lower part, for example a head coil, is positioned at the end of the patient table in order to carry out the magnetic resonance examination. The patient table can be movably arranged, for example, on a stationary chassis of the patient support device. In this case, the patient, in particular the body part of the patient to be examined, can advantageously be moved towards the main magnetic field, in particular the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device. This movement is usually carried out in the z-direction.

[0017] The total height of the lower part and the upper part can be the sum of the two parts. In particular when the lower part and the upper part are nested in the connected state, the total height can also be less than the sum of the individual parts.

[0018] Preferably, the magnetic resonance local coil device is configured such that, when the upper part is inserted onto the lower part, a mechanical and / or electrical connection is established between the lower part and the upper part. Preferably, the mechanical and / or electrical connection is achieved directly and / or simultaneously with the insertion of the lower part and the upper part. For example, the upper part is latched onto the lower part during the insertion. This advantageously enables further manual intervention to be dispensed with and simplifies the workflow.

[0019] Preferably, the upper part comprises at least one upper insertion piece and the lower part comprises at least one lower insertion piece. Here, the at least one upper insertion piece and the at least one lower insertion piece are configured to establish an electrical and / or mechanical connection between the upper part and the lower part when the upper part is inserted onto the lower part.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one upper insertion piece and the at least one lower insertion piece are respectively adapted to one another. For example, the at least one upper insertion piece comprises one or more pin-like contacts which can be nested in an adapted slot-like contact of the at least one lower insertion piece. Via the contacts, electrical signals, in particular HF signals, and / or electrical energy can advantageously be transmitted.

[0021] Preferably, the at least one lower plug-in part is configured to be flush aligned with a surface of the lower part surrounding the at least one lower plug-in part. Advantageously, the at least one lower plug-in part does not protrude beyond the upper edge of the lower part. Advantageously, a body part of a patient can be positioned in the lower part particularly reliably and simply in that the at least one lower plug-in part does not have an interfering, in particular upwardly facing, interfering contour.

[0022] Preferably, the lower part comprises a cover part which is suitable for being positioned on, in particular pushed onto, the at least one lower plug-in part, in particular to cover, for example, electrical contacts of the at least one lower plug-in part. Thereby, the safety of a patient and / or an operator can be advantageously increased.

[0023] A possible embodiment provides that the magnetic resonance local coil device is or comprises a head coil or a knee coil or a foot coil, in particular a foot / ankle coil. Correspondingly, the body part to be examined is preferably a head or a knee or a foot of a patient. Advantageously, these body parts can be particularly simply placed into the lower part of the respective coil.

[0024] A possible embodiment provides that the lower part is part of a spine coil, in particular a very long spine coil. In particular, the magnetic resonance local coil device is a combination of a spine coil with other local coils having a lower part.

[0025] A possible embodiment provides that the magnetic resonance local coil device comprises a first upper part as an upper part for examining a first body part of a patient, wherein, for examining the first body part, the upper part can be connected with the lower part. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance local coil device comprises a second upper part for examining a second body part of a patient, wherein, for examining the second body part, the second upper part can be connected with the lower part. Advantageously, both the first upper part and the second upper part can be connected with the same lower part, respectively, i.e. in a connected state.

[0026] The magnetic resonance local coil device can in particular be of a design in which the lower part can be combined with different upper parts which are respectively configured for examining different body parts. Advantageously, the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device can be used multiple times for different application scenarios.

[0027] For example, the first body part is a head of a patient and the second body part is an ankle / foot region. Correspondingly, the first upper part is an upper part which is configured to examine the head of the patient together with the lower part and the second upper part is an upper part which is configured to examine the ankle / foot region of the patient together with the lower part.

[0028] Furthermore, a system is provided, with a magnetic resonance local coil device for receiving and / or emitting HF signals and a patient support device to carry out a magnetic resonance examination with a magnetic resonance device. Here, the magnetic resonance local coil device is in particular the aforementioned magnetic resonance local coil device.

[0029] Preferably, the patient support device has a table top which is designed to support a patient lying on the table top during the carrying out of a magnetic resonance examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination. Here, the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device protrudes by 5 cm or less beyond the table top at least in a section along the length axis of the patient when the lower part is mounted on the patient support device. The table top can in particular be substantially described by a plane, and the lower part protrudes by 5 cm or less beyond this plane at least in a section along the length axis of the patient. The lower part protrudes by 5 cm or less beyond the table top at least in a section along the length axis of the patient when the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device is mounted on the patient support device, the section preferably extending over at least 1 / 3, in particular at least 1 / 2, of the total length of the magnetic resonance local coil device along the length axis. The patient can thus advantageously be positioned particularly simply on the table top by the operator.

[0030] The patient support device can for example comprise a patient table with a table top and a stand, in particular a base frame, on which the patient table is mounted. Advantageously, the patient table is movably supported so that a body part of the patient can be moved to a desired position in the magnetic resonance device.

[0031] Preferably, the lower part has an interface to the upper part, wherein the interface is aligned planarly with the table top when the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device is mounted on the patient support device. Preferably, the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device does not protrude beyond the table top so that the patient on the patient support device can be moved particularly simply or can itself be moved particularly simply on the patient support device.

[0032] A possible embodiment provides that the patient support device comprises at least one table-side plug-in connector and the upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil device comprises at least one coil-side plug-in connector. Here, the at least one table-side plug-in connector and the at least one coil-side plug-in connector are configured to establish an electrical connection between the patient support device and the upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil device when the at least one coil-side plug-in connector is connected to the at least one table-side plug-in connector. The upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil device can in particular comprise at least one cable which connects the at least one coil-side plug-in connector to the remainder of the upper part.

[0033] Preferably, the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement has at least one electrical contact for galvanically contacting the upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement, wherein the at least one electrical contact is galvanically decoupled.

[0034] Another embodiment of the system provides that the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is fixedly integrated in the patient support device. Preferably, the lower part can here relate to a foot / ankle coil.

[0035] Furthermore, a magnetic resonance device is also provided, which comprises the above-mentioned system with the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement and the patient support device.

[0036] Furthermore, it is also provided that the aforementioned magnetic resonance local coil arrangement and / or the aforementioned system with the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement and the patient support device and / or the aforementioned magnetic resonance device are used for carrying out a magnetic resonance examination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Further advantages, features and details of the utility model are derived from the embodiments described below and by means of the drawings. Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all the drawings.

[0038] In the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 A magnetic resonance device with a patient support device and a magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is shown,

[0040] Figure 2 A magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to the prior art is shown,

[0041] Figure 3 A magnetic resonance local coil arrangement with a lower part which is lower is shown,

[0042] Figure 4 A patient is shown on a transport device before being transported onto a patient support device,

[0043] Figure 5 A patient is shown after being transported onto a patient support device,

[0044] Figure 6 A patient is shown on a patient support device into which an upper part is plugged,

[0045] Figure 7 A system comprising a magnetic resonance local coil arrangement and a patient support device is shown,

[0046] Figure 8 A bottom side of an upper part of a magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is shown,

[0047] Figure 9A magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is shown with a lower part and two alternative upper parts,

[0048] Figure 10 A magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is shown with a lower part having a height in sub-sections only which is less than 1 / 3 of the total height. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In Figure 1 A magnetic resonance device 10 is shown schematically. The magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a magnet unit 11 having a main magnet 12 for generating a strong and in particular temporally constant main magnetic field 13. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a patient receiving area 14 for receiving a patient 15. In the present embodiment, the patient receiving area 14 is configured cylindrically and is cylindrically surrounded in the peripheral direction by the magnet unit 11. In principle, however, a different design of the patient receiving area 14 is conceivable at any time. The patient 15 can be pushed into the patient receiving area 14 by means of a patient support device 16 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The patient support device 16 for this purpose has a patient table 17 which is designed to be movable in the z direction within the patient receiving area 14. Here, the z direction coincides with the length axis or longitudinal axis of the patient 15. Furthermore, here the z direction is the central axis of the cylindrical magnet unit 11.

[0050] Furthermore, the magnet unit 11 has a gradient coil unit 18 for generating magnetic field gradients for position encoding in imaging. The gradient coil unit 18 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 19 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The magnet unit 11 also comprises a high-frequency antenna unit 20, which in the present embodiment comprises a body coil which is fixedly integrated in the magnetic resonance device 10. The high-frequency antenna unit 20 is controlled by a high-frequency antenna control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and injects high-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into an examination space which is essentially formed by the patient receiving area 14 of the magnetic resonance device 10. Thereby, excitation of atomic nuclei is generated in the main magnetic field 13 generated by the main magnet 12. Magnetic resonance signals are generated by the relaxation of the excited atomic nuclei. The body part of the patient to be examined here is the head. For this purpose, a magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 in the form of a head coil is arranged on the head 15 of the patient with which the magnetic resonance signals are received. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 comprises a plurality of antennas in which the magnetic resonance signals generate voltages which are measured. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 comprises a lower part 101 and an upper part 102 which can be inserted on the lower part; between the lower part 101 and the upper part 102 a spatial volume is thereby formed in which the head is supported.

[0051] For controlling the main magnet 12, the gradient control unit 19 and for controlling the high-frequency antenna control unit 21, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 centrally controls the magnetic resonance apparatus 10, for example in order to carry out a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. Furthermore, the system control unit 22 comprises an analysis unit, not shown in detail, for analyzing the magnetic resonance signals measured during a magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a user interface 23 which is connected to the system control unit 22. Control information such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 24, for example at least one monitor, of the user interface 23 for a medical operator. Furthermore, the user interface 23 has an input unit 25 by means of which information and / or parameters can be input by the medical operator during a measurement.

[0052] In Figure 2 a conventional magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100' is shown, in particular a head coil, wherein the lower part 101' is substantially the same height as the upper part 102'.

[0053] In this case, the geometry of the patient support 17 together with the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100' is problematic. In the normal positioning (head forward), the head of the patient 15 should be placed in the lower part 101' of the head coil. The head coil is usually used as a receiving coil in head examinations, while in non-head examinations it simply serves as a cushion or placement for the head. When the patient 15 is transported laterally T, i.e. perpendicular to its length axis, for example from the lying board 50 to the patient support 17 as shown in Figures 3-4 the lower part of the head coil is an obstacle; the support surface of the lying board 50 and the patient support 17 are substantially flat and simple lateral transport T of the body is achieved, only the lower part 101' of the head coil is a few centimeters higher than the surface of the patient support 17. This makes the workflow of the magnetic resonance examination difficult. The head of the patient 15 has to be lifted over the edge of the head coil, or the patient 15 has to be transported laterally further on the foot side and then pushed into the head coil in the z direction along its length axis.

[0054] Therefore, a magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 is specified as Figure 3 schematically shown for receiving and / or transmitting HF signals. Here, the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 is a head coil, however the idea according to the application can also be transferred to other multi-part local coils, for example knee coils or foot coils, in particular foot / ankle coils.

[0055] The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 comprises a lower part 101 and an upper part 102, wherein the lower part 101 and the upper part 102 in the connected state define a spatial volume V, in which a body part, for example a head, of a patient 15 can be supported during a magnetic resonance examination. The lower part 101 can be positioned on a patient table 17 of a patient support device 16 of a magnetic resonance device 10 for carrying out a magnetic resonance examination. The lower part 101 has a height y p and the upper part 102 has a height y a In the connected state, the lower part 101 and the upper part 102 have a total height y g = y p + y a The lower part 101 has a height which is less than 1 / 3, in particular less than 1 / 4, of the total height y g By the reduced height of the lower part 101, the patient 15 can more easily lift over the edge of the lower part 101.

[0056] The height of a part is here the extension, in particular the dimension, of the part in the y-direction, i.e. parallel to the earth's gravitational force, when used as intended during a magnetic resonance examination.

[0057] The patient table 17 of the patient support device 16 has a table surface S, on which the patient 15 can be supported during the execution of a magnetic resonance examination. The table surface S is generally planar. The patient table 17 has a recess in the y-direction, in which the magnetic resonance local coil 100, in particular the lower part 101, can be arranged.

[0058] Preferably, when the lower part 101 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 is mounted on the patient support device 16, the dimension y d of the lower part 101 upwards, i.e. in the y-direction, over the table surface S is less than 5 cm. Ideally, y d is equal to zero, i.e. the lower part 101 has an interface G with the upper part 102, which, when the lower part 101 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 is mounted on the patient support device 16, is aligned planarly with the table surface S.

[0059] In Figures 4-6The application of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 on the patient support device 16 during a magnetic resonance examination is shown in Fig. 1. The patient 15 is moved on a transport device in the form of a lying board 50 to the patient support device 16. Subsequently, the patient 15 is lifted in the horizontal x direction onto the patient support device 16, i.e. a transverse transport T is carried out. For this purpose, a cushion 51, for example a bed sheet or a plastic mat, is usually laid underneath so that the cushion can be grasped and the patient 15 can be transported by pulling the cushion 51 to the patient support 17. When the head is positioned on the lower part 101 and the remaining body parts of the patient 15 are placed on the table surface S, the upper part 102 can be moved from above onto, in particular inserted onto, the lower part 101.

[0060] Preferably, a mechanical and / or electrical connection is established between the lower part 101 and the upper part 102 when the upper part 102 is inserted on the lower part 101. For example, the upper part 102 comprises one or more upper connectors and the lower part 101 comprises one or more connectors which fit thereto, which are suitable for establishing an electrical and / or mechanical connection between the upper part 102 and the lower part 101 when the upper part 102 is inserted on the lower part 101. For example, according to the principle of plug-in connection. Figure 7 A view of the underside of the upper part is shown schematically. On the underside, a plurality of upper connectors is shown in the form of a plurality of mechanical connection elements 103 and a plurality of electrical connection elements 104, which cooperate with corresponding connection elements on the top side of the lower part (not shown here) upon plugging in. The magnetic resonance signals received by the upper part 102 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 can then be transmitted to the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 via the electrical connection elements 104.

[0061] Preferably, the surface surrounding the at least one lower connector of the interface G of the lower part 101 is configured in surface alignment so that it does not interfere during the transport T. Preferably, the lower part 101 comprises one or more shielding parts which are suitable for being positioned above the lower connectors, in particular for covering possible electrical contacts of the lower connectors.

[0062] In Figure 8 The patient support device 16 with the table-side connector 27 is shown in Fig. 2. The lower part 101 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 comprises a coil-side connector 103. When the lower part 101 is positioned on the patient support, the table-side connector 27 and the coil-side connector 105 establish an electrical connection between the patient support device 16 and the upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100. Possible magnetic resonance signals received by the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 can then be transmitted via an interface, for example to the system control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0063] It is also conceivable that the upper part 102 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 comprises at least one coil-side plug-in piece which can be plugged into a table-side plug-in piece in order to establish an electrical connection between the patient support device 16 and the upper part 102 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100, so that magnetic resonance signals possibly received by the upper part 102 are directly transferred to the patient support device 16.

[0064] It is also conceivable that the lower part 101 is fixedly integrated in the patient support device 16, in particular in the patient table 17. It is furthermore conceivable that the lower part 101 is part of a (very long) spine coil.

[0065] As shown in Figure 9 , different upper parts 1021, 1022 can be used with the same lower part 101. Thereby, for example, the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 can comprise a first upper part 1021 as an upper part for examining the head of the patient 15, wherein the first upper part 1021 can be connected with the lower part 101 for examining the head; furthermore, the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 can comprise a second upper part 1022 for examining the ankle / foot region of the patient 15, wherein the second upper part 1022 can be connected with the lower part 101 for examining the ankle / foot region. By this multiple use of the lower part 101 costs can be reduced.

[0066] In Figure 10 , an embodiment of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100 is shown, wherein the lower part, when used as intended, has a height in the z-direction, i.e. along the length axis of the patient 15, of less than 1 / 3 of the total height y g . The height of the lower part 101 at the head end (left side in the figure) is about half of the total height y g , while the height further decreases in the negative z-direction until the height is below 1 / 3 of the total height y g . In this section A, the patient's head can be moved particularly easily laterally into the lower part 101 of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement 100. The length z g,A of this section A (in which the height is below 1 / 3 of the total height y g ) is here greater than 1 / 2 of the total length z g of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement along the length axis. Advantageously, no or only slight movement in the z-direction is necessary after lateral transport in order to move the patient's head into the final position in which the magnetic resonance examination is carried out.

[0067] It should also be noted once again that the devices described in detail above are only embodiments, which the person skilled in the art can optimize in different ways, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude that a plurality of the relevant features is also present. Likewise, the term "unit" does not exclude that the relevant components are composed of a plurality of sub-components which act together, if necessary also spatially distributed.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance local coil arrangement for receiving and / or transmitting high frequency signals, comprising: a lower part and an upper part, characterized in that the lower part and the upper part in the connected state define a spatial volume in which a body part of a patient can be supported during a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the lower part is configured to be positioned on a patient support device of a magnetic resonance device for conducting a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the lower part and the upper part in the connected state have a total height, wherein the lower part has a height in at least one section along a length axis of the patient which is less than 1 / 3 of the total height.

2. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower part has a support surface which defines the spatial volume downward and which is used for supporting the body part, wherein the height direction of the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is oriented parallel to the earth's gravitational force when the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is positioned on the patient support device of the magnetic resonance device for conducting a magnetic resonance examination.

3. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is configured to establish a mechanical and / or electrical connection between the lower part and the upper part when the upper part is plugged onto the lower part.

4. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper part comprises at least one upper plug-in piece, wherein the lower part comprises at least one lower plug-in piece, wherein the at least one upper plug-in piece and the at least one lower plug-in piece are configured for establishing an electrical and / or mechanical connection between the upper part and the lower part when the upper part is plugged onto the lower part.

5. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one lower plug-in piece is configured to be in surface alignment with a surface of the lower part surrounding the at least one lower plug-in piece.

6. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower part has a shielding portion which is adapted to be positioned on the at least one lower plug-in piece.

7. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement is or comprises a head coil or a knee coil or a foot coil.

8. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower part is part of a spine coil.

9. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement comprises as upper part a first upper part for examining a first body part of a patient, wherein the upper part is connectable to the lower part for examining the first body part, wherein the magnetic resonance local coil arrangement comprises a second upper part for examining a second body part of a patient, wherein the second upper part is connectable to the lower part for examining the second body part.

10. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower part has a height in at least one section along a length axis of the patient which is less than 1 / 4 of the total height.

11. The magnetic resonance local coil arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the shielding portion is adapted to cover possible electrical contacts of the at least one lower plug-in piece.

12. The magnetic resonance local coil device according to claim 7, characterized in that the magnetic resonance local coil device is or comprises a foot / ankle coil.

13. A system with a magnetic resonance local coil device for receiving and / or transmitting HF signals and with a patient support apparatus to carry out a magnetic resonance examination with a magnetic resonance apparatus, characterized in that the patient support apparatus has a table top designed to support a patient located thereon during the magnetic resonance examination, wherein the lower part protrudes 5 cm or less beyond the table top in at least one section along the longitudinal axis of the patient when the magnetic resonance local coil device is mounted on the patient support apparatus.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that the lower part has an interface to the upper part, wherein the interface is aligned planarly with the table top when the lower part of the magnetic resonance local coil device is mounted on the patient support apparatus.

15. The system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the patient support apparatus comprises at least one table side plug-in, wherein the upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil device comprises at least one coil side plug-in, wherein the at least one table side plug-in and the at least one coil side plug-in are configured to establish an electrical connection between the patient support apparatus and the upper part of the magnetic resonance local coil device when the at least one coil side plug-in is connected to the at least one table side plug-in.

16. The system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the lower part is fixedly integrated in the patient support apparatus.

17. A magnetic resonance apparatus, characterized in that the magnetic resonance apparatus comprises a magnetic resonance local coil device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and / or a system according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

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