WO2009150575A1

WO2009150575A1 - Power supply for radio frequency coils in magnetic resonance systems

Info

Publication number: WO2009150575A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/052345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelis Leonardus Gerardus Ham
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-06-10
Filing date: 2009-06-03
Publication date: 2009-12-17

Abstract

A subject manipulation system for a magnetic resonance scanner comprises: a tabletop pallet (34) arranged to be supported by a table (36) in a withdrawn position and to be translated from the withdrawn position to an inserted position in a magnetic resonance scanner (10) for magnetic resonance data acquisition, the tabletop pallet being configured to mount a local radio frequency coil (30, 32) on or in the tabletop pallet; a power storage device (60) disposed on or in the tabletop pallet and operatively connected with the local radio frequency coil to power the local radio frequency coil during magnetic resonance data acquisition; and an electrical power coupler (70) arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position.

Description

Power Supply for Radio Frequency Coils in Magnetic Resonance Systems

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following relates to the magnetic resonance arts and related arts. It finds application in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the like, and in magnetic resonance scanners for performing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In magnetic resonance acquisitions, it is sometimes useful to have a radio frequency coil disposed with or near the subject during imaging. Such proximate positioning of a radio frequency coil used for transmitting a magnetic resonance excitation signal, for receiving a magnetic resonance signal, or both, substantially improves radio frequency coupling between the radio frequency coil and the subject. Some examples of local coils include spine coils which are typically on or embedded in the movable pallet on which the subject rests, head coils disposed on the pallet typically in a fixed mounting arrangement, surface coils that are laid atop or wrapped around the subject, or so forth.

One difficulty with local radio frequency coils is the need to supply electrical power to the coil. In a typical arrangement, a power cable is run from a power supply outside of the scanner into the bore, for example along or inside the subject table to extend along with the tabletop pallet into the bore of the magnetic resonance scanner. This power cable must have a flexible arrangement that accommodates cable slack when the tabletop pallet is withdrawn onto the subject table, and which extends to accommodate the movement of the local coil with the subject into the scanner bore. The table and tabletop pallet arrangement of a typical magnetic resonance scanner is a complex assembly typically including a table height adjustment mechanism and a calibrated and automated mechanical translation mechanism for smoothly translating the tabletop pallet from the table into a precise position in the magnetic resonance scanner bore for data acquisition, and for smoothly translating the pallet out of the bore and back onto the table after the data acquisition is complete. Further integrating a power cable into this complex assembly in a manner which does not interfere with the height adjustment and pallet translation mechanisms adds cost and still further complexity to the system. Another problem with such a power cable is that it can couple with electromagnetic fields in the scanner so as to degrade the quality of the acquired magnetic resonance data, generate undesirable heating, or produce other adverse effects.

In view of this, it has been proposed to employ a wireless local radio frequency coil that is powered by an on-board battery or storage capacitor. Such coils are proposed to be coupled with a docking station located in the coil cabinet that includes a connector for electrically recharging the wireless local coil when the local coil is stored in the coil storage cabinet. This approach has the advantage of eliminating the power cable running from an external power supply into the bore of the magnetic resonance scanner. However, the wireless arrangement adds complexity to the magnetic resonance data acquisition process, as the radiologist or other operator must remember to dock the wireless coil in the docking station when not in use. If the docking step is forgotten, then the battery or storage capacitor of the wireless local coil may become fully electrically discharged, making the coil useless until it is recharged. In a typical magnetic resonance scanning facility, the delay involved with such a mistake can be costly in terms of lost productivity and throughput.

Some local coils that are heavily utilized may also have limited time intervals during which docking with the recharging power supply is possible. In such cases, the battery or storage capacitor must have sufficient capacity to operate the local coil for extended periods of time between recharging intervals. This, in turn, requires a relatively substantial on-board battery or storage capacitor which increases the weight and bulk of the local coil, and can distort electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of the local coil so as to degrade the quality of the acquired magnetic resonance data.

The following provides new and improved apparatuses and methods which overcome the above-referenced problems and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one disclosed aspect, a magnetic resonance system is disclosed, comprising: a magnetic resonance scanner; a table proximate to the magnetic resonance scanner; a tabletop pallet arranged to be supported by the table in a withdrawn position and to be translated from the withdrawn position to an inserted position in the magnetic resonance scanner for magnetic resonance data acquisition; a local radio frequency coil disposed on or in the tabletop pallet; a power storage device disposed on or in the tabletop pallet and operatively connected with the local radio frequency coil to power the local radio frequency coil during magnetic resonance data acquisition; and an electrical power coupler arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position.

In accordance with another disclosed aspect, a subject manipulation system is disclosed for use in magnetic resonance data acquisition, the subject manipulation system comprising: a tabletop pallet arranged to be supported by a table in a withdrawn position and to be translated from the withdrawn position to an inserted position in a magnetic resonance scanner for magnetic resonance data acquisition, the tabletop pallet being configured to mount a local radio frequency coil on or in the tabletop pallet; a power storage device disposed on or in the tabletop pallet and operatively connected with the local radio frequency coil to power the local radio frequency coil during magnetic resonance data acquisition; and an electrical power coupler arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position.

In accordance with another disclosed aspect, a magnetic resonance method is disclosed, the method comprising: translating a pallet from a withdrawn position into a magnetic resonance scanner; performing magnetic resonance data acquisition with the pallet in the magnetic resonance scanner using a local radio frequency coil disposed on or in the pallet; powering the local radio frequency coil during the magnetic resonance data acquisition using a rechargeable power storage device disposed on or in the pallet; and returning the pallet to the withdrawn position after the performing of the magnetic resonance data acquisition, the returning causing the power storage device to operatively connect with a recharging electrical power coupler.

One advantage resides in providing a local coil that enhances magnetic resonance data acquisition workflow by eliminating both external power cabling and remote manual power recharge docking operations. Another advantage resides in providing a wireless local coil with reduced coil downtime for power recharging.

Another advantage resides in providing a wireless local coil with more frequent and automated recharging operations. Still further advantages of the present invention will be appreciated to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understand the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically shows a magnetic resonance scanner with an associated subject pallet in a withdrawn position.

FIGURE 2 diagrammatically shows the magnetic resonance scanner of FIGURE 1 with the associated subject pallet translated to an inserted position in the magnetic resonance scanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, a magnetic resonance scanner 10 includes a housing or other main body 12 that contains or supports components for generating and manipulating magnetic resonance, such as a diagrammatically illustrated magnet 14, for example: a set of superconducting coil windings disposed in a cryostat, or a set of resistive windings, designed and arranged to generate a substantially uniform static (Bo) magnetic field in an examination region 16 (the boundary of this examination region is diagrammatically indicated and labeled in FIGURES 1 and 2); a diagrammatically illustrated gradient system 18, for example, sets of windings configured to superimpose x-, y-, and z-magnetic field gradients on the static magnetic field; and an optional whole -body radio frequency coil 20 such as a quadrature body coil. The illustrated magnetic resonance scanner 10 is an open scanner having generally symmetric top and bottom portions; however, the magnetic resonance scanner can be substantially any type of magnetic resonance scanner, such as a closed horizontal cylindrical bore scanner or so forth. As is known in the art, magnetic resonance can be generated and spatially encoded within the examination region 16 by injecting or applying radio frequency excitation power at a suitable (e.g., magnetic resonance or Larmor) frequency, applying magnetic field gradients along selected directions to spatially encode, spatially limit, or otherwise spatially manipulate the generated magnetic resonance, or so forth. For some or all magnetic resonance acquisitions, it may be advantageous to employ a local radio frequency coil rather than the optional whole -body radio frequency coil 20. For example, an illustrated cylindrical head coil 30 with an open end is suitably disposed around a human head during brain imaging to provide improved radio frequency coupling with the imaged brain. As another example, an illustrated generally planar or arcuate spine coil 32 is suitably disposed directly below the spine on a tabletop pallet 34 that supports a prone human subject during spine imaging, again so as to provide improved radio frequency coupling with the imaged spine.

The subject from which magnetic resonance data are to be acquired is initially disposed on the tabletop pallet 34 in a withdrawn position in which the tabletop pallet 34 is supported by a table 36. As used herein, the term "table" is intended to be broadly construed as encompassing any elevated subject support, and as such is intended to encompass for example tables, couches, gurneys, and other elevated subject supports. In some embodiments the table 36 is secured to or otherwise permanently located adjacent the scanner housing 12. In other embodiments the table 36 may include wheels or rollers 38 for facilitating transportation of a subject disposed on the tabletop pallet 34 which in turn is resting on the table 36. The illustrated movable table 36 enables a subject to be positioned and prepared for imaging in a preparation room or space, and then wheeled over to the magnetic resonance scanner 10 for imaging. Typically, such a movable table 36 will be arranged to rigidly dock with the scanner housing 12 to ensure a well-defined spatial relationship between the movable table 36 and the scanner 10. On the other hand, if the table is not movable, then a well-defined spatial relationship between the table and the scanner is ensured by the fixed position of both the table and the scanner.

The tabletop pallet 34 can take various forms depending upon the geometry of the magnetic resonance scanner 10, the size, type, and other characteristics of the subject, and other factors such as the number and type of local radio frequency coils. The illustrated tabletop pallet 34 includes a sheet or top portion 40 directly supporting the subject, and a mating underlying pallet body portion 42 that provides rigidity and form to the tabletop pallet 34. In some embodiments for use in medical settings the sheet or top portion 40 may be a consumable item that is replaced after each patient is loaded, imaged, and unloaded, or is replaced after unloading of any patient who has an infectious disease or otherwise presents sanitary concerns. In other embodiments, the tabletop pallet may be a single piece or may be made up of three or more pieces, rather than two pieces 40, 42 as illustrated. The pallet body portion 42, and the top portion 40, or both, is shaped to accommodate the local coils. For example, the top pallet portion 40 includes fasteners, recesses, a diagrammatically illustrated mounting bracket 44, or other features configured to receive the head coil 30 in a fixed or predefined position on the tabletop pallet 34. The pallet body portion 42 has a suitable recess sized and shaped to receive the spine coil 32. The medical patient or other subject is loaded onto the tabletop pallet 34 with the tabletop pallet 34 supported by the table 36 in the withdrawn position as shown in FIGURE 1. The loading process entails positioning the subject in the desired position, for example positioning a human subject lying on his or her back for imaging using the spine coil 32. The loading process may also entail positioning one or more local coils, such as placing the head coil 30 over the subject's head preparatory to brain imaging using the head coil 30. The loading process may also entail other operations, such as strapping the subject down to the tabletop pallet 34, connecting monitoring equipment such as cardiac or respiratory monitors to the subject, or so forth. After loading, the tabletop pallet 34 together with the loaded subject is translated from the withdrawn position to an inserted position in the magnetic resonance scanner 10 for magnetic resonance data acquisition. FIGURE 2 shows the tabletop pallet 34 in the inserted position. In the inserted position, the tabletop pallet 34 is partially or wholly supported by a beam or support 46 disposed in the magnetic resonance scanner 10. Although the illustrated beam or support 46 is an element distinct from the illustrated scanner housing 12, in other embodiments the beam or support may be an integrally formed portion of the scanner housing. In some embodiments the translation of the tabletop pallet 34 is done manually. In other embodiments, the translation of the tabletop pallet 34 is done in an automated fashion employing a table drive unit 50 including gears, pulleys, or other mechanisms (not shown) for translating the tabletop pallet 34 in a controlled fashion. Optionally, the table drive unit 50 also enables the table to be raised or lowered when the tabletop pallet 34 is in the withdrawn position (FIGURE 1), so as to facilitate loading and unloading of the subject. The translation of the tabletop pallet 34 terminates when the subject, or the portion of the subject of interest, is substantially centered in the examination region 16. In some acquisitions, the tabletop may be moved during imaging (so-called "moving table magnetic resonance acquisition") in which case the inserted position corresponds to a span of translational positions over which the tabletop pallet 34 (and hence the subject) is moved during the magnetic resonance acquisition. In the example shown in FIGURE 2, the subject is a prone human subject undergoing spine imaging, and accordingly the spine coil 32 is substantially centered in the examination region 16 during imaging. On the other hand, for brain imaging the tabletop pallet 34 would be translated less far into the magnetic resonance scanner 10 so that the head coil 30 (and hence the brain) is substantially centered in the examination region 16. The local radio frequency coil or coils, such as the illustrated head and spine coils 30, 32, can in general be used as a receive coil configured to receive magnetic resonance signals during the receive phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition, or as a transmit coil configured to be energized to emit a magnetic resonance excitation signal during a transmit phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition, or as a combination receive/transmit coil performing both receive and transmit functions. When used as a receive coil, the received magnetic resonance signal is suitably ported off the coil either wirelessly or via an optical fiber connection. For example, in FIGURE 2 a wireless receiver 54 is suitably configured to detect a wireless transmission from the head coil 30 carrying a signal corresponding to the received magnetic resonance signal. Alternatively or additionally, an optical fiber (or fiber bundle) 56 extends from the spine coil 32 along the tabletop pallet 34 and into the table 36. The wireless receiver 54 or optical fiber 56 are operatively connected with data acquisition electronics (not shown) which store the received magnetic resonance signals and perform post-acquisition processing such as image reconstruction, spectral analysis, or so forth. When the tabletop pallet 34 is in the withdrawn position, the optical fiber 56 is suitably spooled onto a spool, wrapped underneath the spine coil 32 as illustrated in FIGURE 1, or otherwise arranged to be out of the way and undamaged when the tabletop pallet 34 is translated from and back to the withdrawn position.

The wireless or optical fiber approaches are suitable for communicating detected magnetic resonance signals. However, optical fibers are not suitable for carrying electrical power, and wireless power transmission is typically inefficient and can introduce radio frequency interference or other problems. On the other hand, running conductive wires from the table 36 into the examination region 16 of the magnetic resonance scanner 10 in order to power the local coils 30, 32 is also problematic. For example, such conductive wires can couple with electromagnetic fields of the magnetic resonance scanner so as to degrade the acquired magnetic resonance data, can complicate the mechanics of the tabletop pallet translation, and so forth.

To power the local radio frequency coils 30, 32 disposed on or in the tabletop pallet 34, a power storage device 60 is disposed on or in the tabletop pallet 34 and is operatively connected with the local radio frequency coils 30, 32 to power the coils during magnetic resonance data acquisition. For example, the spine coil 32, which can be a permanent fixture of the tabletop pallet 34 or can be an infrequently removed component, is suitably directly wired by a short electrical conductor 62 to the power storage device 60. On the other hand, the head coil 30 which is likely to be more frequently removed (since it is in the way for imaging other than brain or other head imaging) is operatively connected to receive electrical power from the power storage device 60 via an electrical connector 64 disposed on or in the tabletop pallet 34. The electrical connector 64 detachably connects the power storage device 60 with the local radio frequency head coil 30 to power the coil 30 during magnetic resonance data acquisition. The power storage device 60 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a storage capacitor. In the illustrated embodiment, the power storage device 60 is separate from the local radio frequency coils 30, 32; however, it is also contemplated to have the power storage device disposed in the local radio frequency coil, for example in a battery compartment of the local radio frequency coil. The power storage device 60 has enough electrical power storage capacity to power the operating local radio frequency coil or coils 30, 32 over the course of at least one complete magnetic resonance data acquisition. The power storage device 60 receives no power input in the inserted position of the tabletop pallet 34 in the magnetic resonance scanner for magnetic resonance data acquisition. If the radio local radio frequency coil is used for the receive phase, then the power storage device 60 suitably powers the local radio frequency coil to perform at least one operation selected from the group consisting of (i) conditioning, processing, or amplifying the received magnetic resonance signal and (ii) detuning the local radio frequency coil during the transmit phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition. If the local radio frequency coil is used for the transmit phase, then the local radio frequency coil is energized by the power storage device 60 to emit a magnetic resonance (radio-frequency) excitation signal during the transmit phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition. The power storage device 60 can have power outputs of different voltages, different connector configurations and/or direct wired connections, or so forth to accommodate different coils with various functions. The power storage device 60 receives no power input in the inserted position of the tabletop pallet 34 in the magnetic resonance scanner for magnetic resonance data acquisition. However, when the tabletop pallet 34 is translated back into the withdrawn position after data acquisition, as shown in FIGURE 1, a recharging electrical power coupler 70 operatively connects with the power storage device 60 to electrically charge (or recharge, these terms being used synonymously herein) the power storage device 60. The illustrated electrical power coupler 70 includes a connector 72 that electrically connects with the power storage device 60 to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position; however, a shielded inductive or capacitive power transfer connection is also contemplated. The electrical power coupler 70 is in turn connected with a suitable electrical power source (not shown), such as the building electrical power system, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), or so forth. The electrical power coupler 70 is arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device 60 to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet 34 is in the withdrawn position (FIGURE 1) and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device 60 when the tabletop pallet 34 is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position (FIGURE 2).

In some embodiments, the electrical power coupler 70 is de-energized when the tabletop pallet 34 is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position. Such de- energizing can be achieved by a pin switch or other actuator that detects the disconnection of the electrical power coupler 70 from the power storage device 60. By de-energizing the electrical power coupler 70 when the tabletop pallet 34 is in the inserted position for data acquisition, degradation of acquired data due to interference from the energized electrical power coupler 70 is avoided.

By having the electrical power coupler 70 arranged to automatically connect with the power storage device 60 for recharging in the withdrawn position of the tabletop pallet 34, it is ensured that the power storage device 60 is frequently recharged without affirmative action on the part of the radiologist or other operator beyond actions (inserting and withdrawing the tabletop pallet 34 between data acquisition sessions) that are ordinarily performed by the radiologist or other operator. This arrangement is readily achieved by having the electrical power coupler 70 disposed on or in the table 36, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. It is also contemplated to have the electrical power coupler mounted to the scanner housing, or to have the recharging components distributed between the table and the pallet, or to be otherwise mounted, with the electrical power coupler arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device for recharging when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position.

In some embodiments, the power storage device 60 is disposed outside of the examination region 16 of the magnetic resonance scanner 10 when the tabletop pallet 34 is in the inserted position. Such an arrangement is shown, for example, in FIGURE 2. An advantage of this arrangement is that the power storage device 60 located outside of the examination region 16 is less likely to distort electromagnetic fields in the examination region 16 and hence is less likely to degrade images or other acquired magnetic resonance data, as compared with an arrangement in which the power storage device 60 is disposed within the examination region 16. However, with suitable positioning, radio frequency shielding, and other accommodation the power storage device 60 can also be disposed inside of the examination region 16 during acquisition, as is the case for brain imaging using the head coil 30 (the inserted position for head imaging is not illustrated, but corresponds to a translational position of the tabletop pallet 34 that places the head coil 30 substantially centered in the examination region 16).

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The disclosed method can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the system claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of computer readable software or hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A magnetic resonance system comprising: a magnetic resonance scanner (10); a table (36) proximate to the magnetic resonance scanner; a tabletop pallet (34) arranged to be supported by the table in a withdrawn position and to be translated from the withdrawn position to an inserted position in the magnetic resonance scanner for magnetic resonance data acquisition; a local radio frequency coil (30, 32) disposed on or in the tabletop pallet; a power storage device (60) disposed on or in the tabletop pallet and operatively connected with the local radio frequency coil to power the local radio frequency coil during magnetic resonance data acquisition; and an electrical power coupler (70) arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position.

2. The magnetic resonance system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrical power coupler (70) is disposed on or in the table (36).

3. The magnetic resonance system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrical power coupler (70) comprises: a connector (72) that electrically connects with the power storage device (60) to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet (34) is in the withdrawn position.

4. The magnetic resonance system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: an electrical connection (62, 64) disposed on or in the tabletop pallet (34), the electrical connector (detachably) connecting the power storage device (60) with the local radio frequency coil (30) to power the local radio frequency coil during magnetic resonance data acquisition.

5. The magnetic resonance system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power storage device (60) is disposed in one of (i) the tabletop pallet (34) and (ii) the local radio frequency coil (30, 32).

6. The magnetic resonance system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power storage device (60) is disposed outside of an examination region (16) of the magnetic resonance scanner (10) when the tabletop pallet (34) is in the inserted position.

7. The magnetic resonance system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power storage device (60) is one of (i) a rechargeable battery and (ii) a storage capacitor.

8. The magnetic resonance scanner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the local radio frequency coil (30, 32) is configured to operate as at least one of: a receive coil configured to receive a magnetic resonance signal during a receive phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition, the power storage device (60) powering the local radio frequency coil to perform at least one operation selected from the group consisting essentially of (i) conditioning, processing, or amplifying the received magnetic resonance signal and (ii) detuning the local radio frequency coil during a transmit phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition, and a transmit coil configured to be energized by the power storage device to emit a magnetic resonance excitation signal during a transmit phase of the magnetic resonance data acquisition.

9. A subject manipulation system for use in magnetic resonance data acquisition, the subject manipulation system comprising: a tabletop pallet (34) arranged to be supported by a table (36) in a withdrawn position and to be translated from the withdrawn position to an inserted position in a magnetic resonance scanner (10) for magnetic resonance data acquisition, the tabletop pallet being configured to mount a local radio frequency coil (30, 32) on or in the tabletop pallet; a power storage device (60) disposed on or in the tabletop pallet and operatively connected with the local radio frequency coil to power the local radio frequency coil during magnetic resonance data acquisition; and an electrical power coupler (70) arranged to operatively connect with the power storage device to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is in the withdrawn position and to operatively disconnect from the power storage device when the tabletop pallet is moved from the withdrawn position to the inserted position.

10. The subject manipulation system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the electrical power coupler (70) is disposed on or in the table (36).

11. The subject manipulation system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the electrical power coupler (70) comprises: a connector (72) that electrically connects with the power storage device (60) to electrically charge the power storage device when the tabletop pallet (34) is in the withdrawn position.

12. The subject manipulation system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the power storage device (60) is disposed outside of an examination region (16) of the magnetic resonance scanner (10) when the tabletop pallet (34) is in the inserted position.

13. A magnetic resonance method comprising: translating a pallet (34) from a withdrawn position into a magnetic resonance scanner (10); performing magnetic resonance data acquisition with the pallet in the magnetic resonance scanner using a local radio frequency coil (30, 32) disposed on or in the pallet; powering the local radio frequency coil during the magnetic resonance data acquisition using a rechargeable power storage device (60) disposed on or in the pallet; and returning the pallet to the withdrawn position after the performing of the magnetic resonance data acquisition, the returning causing the power storage device to operatively connect with a recharging electrical power coupler (70).

14. The magnetic resonance method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the translating of the pallet (34) from the withdrawn position into the magnetic resonance scanner (10) causes the power storage device (60) to operatively disconnect from the recharging electrical power coupler (70).

15. The magnetic resonance method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the returning causes the power storage device (60) to mate with an electrical connector (72) of the recharging electrical power coupler (70).