US Patent 10942232 RF coil array and MRI transmit array

An RF coil array for use in MRI is disclosed, which includes a plurality of transmit coil elements and a plurality of RF power amplifiers. Each RF power amplifier is integrated with at least one transmit coil element for driving the at least one transmit coil element. An MRI transmit array is also disclosed, which includes a plurality of RF transmitters for generating a plurality of RF signals, the RF coil array above-mentioned, and a DC voltage source for providing a DC voltage to the plurality of transmit coil elements. The RF coil array further includes an RF shield for shielding the plurality of transmit coil elements from interacting with magnet cryostat and gradient coil elements. The plurality of RF power amplifiers are connected with respective RF transmitters and configured for power amplification of the RF signals from the respective RF transmitters, and the plurality of transmit coil elements are configured for transmitting respective amplified RF signals.