Breast coils and magnetic resonance imaging equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breast coil and magnetic resonance imaging equipment. The breast coil includes a base and a cup mounted on the base. The cup includes multiple coil units, which are mounted on the base and enclose and form a cavity for accommodating a breast. Each coil unit includes a flexible body and a radio frequency coil. The radio frequency coil is wrapped within the flexible body, which is mounted on the base. The flexible body can undergo elastic deformation under the action of an external force to change the size of the cavity. When the present invention is in operation, the structural characteristics of the flexible body are utilized to ensure that the breast coil can have a good fit with breasts of different sizes, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the breast coil. This allows the magnetic resonance imaging equipment using the breast coil to adjust the size of the breast coil when facing patients with different breast sizes, thereby obtaining high-quality images.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field related to magnetic resonance imaging, and in particular relates to a breast coil and a magnetic resonance imaging device. Background Art

[0002] Magnetic resonance imaging technology is a process in which radio frequency pulses are transmitted to the human body through a radio frequency transmitting coil to stimulate the resonance of atomic nuclei of specific frequencies (such as hydrogen nuclei) in the human body and generate magnetic resonance signals. The radio frequency receiving coil then processes the received signals through a computer to perform medical imaging of the human body.

[0003] Currently, breast coils in existing MRI systems are typically rigid shells. To accommodate patients with varying breast sizes, the cavity enclosed by the RF coil within the breast coil is typically designed to be as large as possible. Consequently, when the breast coil is used on a patient with a smaller breast, the distance between the breast and the RF coil is greater, resulting in poor signal reception. This results in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), hindering the ability to obtain high-quality images. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a breast coil and a magnetic resonance imaging device for solving the above technical problems.

[0005] A breast coil comprises a base and a cup, wherein the base is provided with a mounting hole, and the cup is mounted on the base and communicates with the mounting hole; the cup comprises a plurality of coil units, which are mounted on the base and enclose a cavity formed between the coil units for accommodating a breast;

[0006] Each of the coil units comprises a flexible body and a radio frequency coil, wherein the radio frequency coil is wrapped in the flexible body, the flexible body is mounted on the base, and the flexible body can undergo elastic deformation under the action of external force to change the size of the accommodating cavity.

[0007] In the present application, the structural setting of the coil unit is specifically implemented through the reasonable structural setting of the above-mentioned flexible body and radio frequency coil, so that when the breast coil is working, the structural characteristics of the flexible body can be utilized to enable the space size of the cavity on the cup to be adaptively changed under the action of external force to adapt to different breast sizes, so that the breast coil can have a good fit with breasts of different sizes when working, thereby having the effect of improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the breast coil, so that the magnetic resonance imaging equipment using the breast coil can obtain high-quality images when facing patients with different breast sizes.

[0008] In one embodiment, under the action of an external force, the flexible body can elastically deform outward along the radial direction of the mounting hole to change the space of the accommodating cavity.

[0009] It can be understood that the above-mentioned structural arrangement specifically implements an embodiment of the breast coil, so that when the breast coil is not in use, the space of the cavity on the cup is minimized. Specifically, the breast inserted into the cup can be used to push the flexible body to change the space of the cavity, thereby simplifying the structure and facilitating the adjustment of the size of the cavity according to breast sizes.

[0010] In one embodiment, the coil unit further includes an adaptive mechanism, which is installed on the flexible body to guide the elastic deformation of the flexible body.

[0011] It is understandable that the above-mentioned adaptive mechanism is configured to guide the elastic deformation of the flexible body, thereby ensuring that the change in the size of the accommodating cavity caused by the elastic deformation of the flexible body can adapt to the use requirements of breasts of different sizes.

[0012] In one embodiment, the flexible body is provided with a notch at a portion adjacent to the base, and the adaptive mechanism is installed in the area where the notch is located.

[0013] It can be understood that, through the structural setting of the above-mentioned groove, the setting of the assembly position of the adaptive mechanism on the flexible body is specifically realized, so as to facilitate the installation of the adaptive mechanism on the flexible body.

[0014] In one embodiment, the adaptive mechanism includes a first connecting component, a second connecting component and a connecting shaft, and the first connecting component and the second connecting component are rotatably connected via the connecting shaft;

[0015] Wherein, the side of the first connecting component away from the connecting shaft is installed on a portion of the flexible body located on one side of the groove, and the side of the second connecting component away from the connecting shaft is installed on a portion of the flexible body located on the other opposite side of the groove.

[0016] It can be understood that the structural arrangement of the adaptive mechanism is specifically implemented through the structural arrangement of the first connecting component, the second connecting component and the connecting shaft, which has the effect of simplifying the structure and facilitating the installation of the adaptive mechanism on the flexible body.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first connecting component is provided with a first rotating body, the second connecting component is provided with a second rotating body, and the first rotating body and the second rotating body are rotatably mounted on the connecting shaft to enable the first connecting component to be rotatably connected to the second connecting component.

[0018] It can be understood that, through the structural arrangement of the first rotating body and the second rotating body, the structural arrangement of the rotational connection between the first connecting component and the second connecting component is specifically implemented.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first connecting assembly includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate, and the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate cooperate to clamp the flexible body;

[0020] The first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are respectively installed with the first rotating body.

[0021] It can be understood that the structural arrangement of the first connecting assembly is specifically implemented through the structural arrangement of the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second connecting assembly includes a third connecting plate and a back clamping plate, and the third connecting plate cooperates with the back clamping plate to clamp the flexible body;

[0023] Wherein, the second rotating body is installed on the third connecting plate.

[0024] It can be understood that the structural arrangement of the second connecting assembly is specifically implemented through the structural arrangement of the third connecting plate and the back clamping plate.

[0025] In one embodiment, the number of the coil units is an even number, and the even number of coil units are symmetrically distributed on the edge of the opening of the mounting hole.

[0026] It can be understood that, through the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the assembly connection of the coil unit on the base is specifically realized to meet the use requirements of breast scanning imaging when the breast coil is working.

[0027] The present invention also seeks protection for a magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising a device body and a breast coil, wherein the breast coil is arranged on the device body; the breast coil is configured as any one of the breast coils described above.

[0028] In the present application, through the reasonable structural setting of the above-mentioned breast coil, the signal-to-noise ratio of the breast coil during operation can be reduced, so that the magnetic resonance imaging device can adjust the size of the breast coil when facing patients with different breast sizes, enhance the fit between the subject and the breast coil, and thus obtain high-quality images. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a breast coil provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cup in this application.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the coil unit in this application.

[0032] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the adaptive mechanism in this application.

[0033] Among them, 10, flexible body; 11, slot; 20, adaptive mechanism; 21, first connecting component; 211, first connecting plate; 212, second connecting plate; 22, second connecting component; 221, third connecting plate; 222, back clamp; 23, connecting shaft; 24, first rotating body; 25, second rotating body; 100, cup; 101, accommodating cavity; 110, coil unit; 200, base; 201, mounting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being “provided on” another element, it may be provided directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be “disposed on” another element, it may be provided directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be “fixed to” another element, it may be fixed directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] The magnetic resonance imaging device claimed in this application includes a device body (not shown) and a breast coil disposed on the device body, so that when the magnetic resonance imaging device is in operation, the breast coil can be used to scan a patient's breast (not shown) to obtain an image of the patient's breast. It should be noted that the structure and operating principle of the device body can be specifically adapted from existing magnetic resonance imaging devices and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a breast coil provided in one embodiment of the present application includes a base 200 and a cup 100 disposed on the base 200 .

[0039] It is understood that there are two cups 100, each of which can accommodate a breast, so that when the MRI device is in operation, both breasts of the patient can be scanned separately. It should be noted that when the MRI device is in operation, the patient's chest is specifically placed against the base 200, so that the patient's two breasts can extend downward into the corresponding two cups 100.

[0040] In this application, the breast cup 100 includes multiple coil units 110, which are mounted on a base 200. The multiple coil units 110 enclose and form a cavity 101 for accommodating a breast. In other words, the breast coil is used in magnetic resonance imaging equipment, and the cavity 101 on the breast cup 100 can accommodate the breast.

[0041] The base 200 defines a mounting hole 201. The coil units 110 are an even number, symmetrically spaced along the edges of the mounting hole 201 to meet the requirements of breast scanning imaging during operation of the breast coil. It should be noted that the number of coil units 110 can be six, eight, ten, or even more. The gap between two symmetrical groups of coil units 110 is determined by the actual needs of the magnetic resonance imaging device and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] Each coil unit 110 includes a flexible body 10 and a radio frequency coil (not shown). The radio frequency coil is enclosed within the flexible body 10, which is mounted on the base 200. The flexible body 10 can elastically deform under external force to change the size of the space containing the cavity 101. This specifically implements the structural arrangement of the coil unit 110. When the breast coil is in operation, the structural characteristics of the flexible body 10 are utilized to adaptively change the size of the space containing the cavity 101 on the cup 100 under external force to accommodate different breast sizes. This allows the breast coil to fit breasts of varying sizes well during operation, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the breast coil. This allows an MRI device incorporating the breast coil to obtain high-quality images for a variety of patients.

[0043] In one embodiment, under the action of an external force, the flexible body 10 can elastically deform outward along the radial direction of the mounting hole 201 to change the space of the accommodating cavity 101. This specifically implements an embodiment of the breast coil, so that when the breast coil is not in use, the space of the accommodating cavity 101 on the cup 100 is minimized, and the size of the accommodating cavity 101 can be changed by the push of the flexible body 10 by the breast extended into the cup 100. This has a simplified structure and facilitates changing the size of the space of the accommodating cavity 101 according to breasts of different sizes. It should be noted that the method of changing the size of the space corresponding to the accommodating cavity 101 is not limited to the above-mentioned method of using the breast to push the flexible body 10 to cause deformation. For those skilled in the art, the flexible body 10 can also be changed under the drive of other transmission structures, or the space of the accommodating cavity 101 can be set to the maximum when the breast coil is not working, and the multiple flexible bodies 10 can be driven to close by using a tightening ring sleeved on the outer periphery of the flexible body 10, so as to reduce the size of the corresponding accommodating cavity 101 to adapt to patients with different breast sizes. This will not be elaborated here.

[0044] In one embodiment, the coil unit 110 further includes an adaptive mechanism 20, which is mounted on the flexible body 10 and is used to guide the elastic deformation of the flexible body 10, thereby ensuring that the change in the size of the accommodating cavity 101 caused by the elastic deformation of the flexible body 10 can adapt to the usage requirements of breasts of different sizes.

[0045] Among them, the flexible body 10 is provided with a notch 11 at a position adjacent to the base 200, and the adaptive mechanism 20 is installed in the area where the notch 11 is located, thereby specifically realizing the setting of the assembly position of the adaptive mechanism 20 on the flexible body 10, so as to facilitate the installation of the adaptive mechanism 20 on the flexible body 10.

[0046] In one embodiment, the adaptive mechanism 20 includes a first connecting component 21, a second connecting component 22 and a connecting shaft 23, and the first connecting component 21 and the second connecting component 22 are rotatably connected via the connecting shaft 23, wherein the side of the first connecting component 21 away from the connecting shaft 23 is installed on a portion of the flexible body 10 located on one side of the groove 11, and the side of the second connecting component 22 away from the connecting shaft 23 is installed on a portion of the flexible body 10 located on the other opposite side of the groove 11. In this way, the structural setting of the adaptive mechanism 20 is specifically implemented, so that when the adaptive mechanism 20 is installed on the flexible body 10, it can utilize the rotational connection of the first connecting component 21 and the second connecting component 22 on the connecting shaft 23 to guide the elastic deformation of the flexible body 10, thereby having a simplified structure and facilitating the installation of the adaptive mechanism 20 on the flexible body 10.

[0047] In one embodiment, the first connecting assembly 21 is provided with a first rotating body 24, and the second connecting assembly 22 is provided with a second rotating body 25. The first rotating body 24 and the second rotating body 25 are rotatably mounted on the connecting shaft 23, so that the first connecting assembly 21 is rotatably connected to the second connecting assembly 22, thereby specifically realizing the rotational connection between the first connecting assembly 21 and the second connecting assembly 22. It should be noted that the first rotating body 24 and the second rotating body 25 can be specifically configured as two disc structures, and the connecting shaft 23 can be configured to penetrate the first rotating body 24 and the second rotating body 25. Of course, when the first rotating body 24 and the second rotating body 25 are installed on the connecting shaft 23, the first rotating body 24 and the second rotating body 25 are specifically staggered to meet the use requirements of rotational assembly on the connecting shaft 23. This will not be elaborated here.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first connecting component 21 includes a first connecting plate 211 and a second connecting plate 212. The first connecting plate 211 and the second connecting plate 212 cooperate to clamp the flexible body 10, thereby specifically realizing the structural setting of the first connecting component 21. The first connecting plate 211 and the second connecting plate 212 cooperate to clamp the flexible body 10 to realize the assembly of the first connecting component 21 on the flexible body 10, so as to facilitate the assembly connection of the first connecting component 21 on the flexible body 10.

[0049] To improve the connection strength between the first connecting plate 211 and the second connecting plate 212 when clamping the flexible body 10, a first locking member (not shown) can be installed between the first connecting plate 211, the flexible body 10, and the second connecting plate 212 to provide positional fixation. It should be noted that the first locking member can be configured as a rivet or a screw, and for application in magnetic resonance imaging equipment, the rivet or screw can be configured as a non-magnetic plastic member, which will not be discussed in detail here.

[0050] The first connecting plate 211 and the second connecting plate 212 are respectively installed with the first rotating body 24 , so that the first connecting plate 211 and the second connecting plate 212 can be rotatably installed on the connecting shaft 23 .

[0051] In one embodiment, the second connecting component 22 includes a third connecting plate 221 and a back clamping plate 222. The third connecting plate 221 and the back clamping plate 222 cooperate to clamp the flexible body 10, thereby specifically realizing the structural setting of the second connecting component 22. The flexible body 10 is clamped when the third connecting plate 221 and the back clamping plate 222 cooperate to realize the assembly of the second connecting component 22 on the flexible body 10, so as to facilitate the assembly connection of the second connecting component 22 on the flexible body 10.

[0052] Similarly, to enhance the connection strength between the third connecting plate 221 and the back clamping plate 222 when clamping the flexible body 10, a second locking member (not shown) may be installed between the third connecting plate 221, the flexible body 10, and the back clamping plate 222 for positional fixation. It should be noted that the second locking member may be a rivet or a screw, and for application in magnetic resonance imaging equipment, the rivet or screw may be a non-magnetic plastic member, which will not be elaborated here.

[0053] The third connecting plate 221 is mounted with the second rotating body 25 , so that the third connecting plate 221 can be rotatably mounted on the connecting shaft 23 .

[0054] In one embodiment, the RF coil is encased within the flexible body 10, thereby enabling assembly and connection of the RF coil to the flexible body 10. This facilitates installation of the RF coil on the flexible body 10 and simplifies the structure. It should be noted that the flexible body 10 of the present application can be configured as an EVA member, a silicone member, or other flexible member.

[0055] In addition, it should be noted that the flexible body 10 on the coil unit 110 extends from the part away from the base 200 toward the center line of the accommodating cavity 101, so that the accommodating cavity 101 is conical, so that the accommodating cavity 101 can fit the breast more closely when the breast coil is working. Moreover, the breast coil is used in a magnetic resonance imaging device, and the cup 100 is set upward. When the patient lies on the device body, the patient's breast will extend into the cup 100. Under the action of gravity, the breast can squeeze and push the flexible body 10 inside the cup 100, and stretch the flexible body 10. Therefore, when the magnetic resonance imaging device faces breasts of different sizes of patients, the size of the breast coil can be adjusted, thereby obtaining high-quality images.

[0056] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0057] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any appropriate changes and modifications to the above embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they are within the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A breast coil, comprising a base (200) and a cup (100), wherein the base (200) is provided with a mounting hole (201), and the cup (100) is mounted on the base (200) and communicated with the mounting hole (201); characterized in that: The cup (100) includes a plurality of coil units (110), the plurality of coil units (110) are mounted on the base (200), and the plurality of coil units (110) are surrounded and form a receiving cavity (101) for accommodating a breast; The coil unit (110) comprises a flexible body (10) and a radio frequency coil, the radio frequency coil is wrapped in the flexible body (10), the flexible body (10) is mounted on the base (200), and the flexible body (10) can undergo elastic deformation under the action of an external force to change the size of the space of the accommodating cavity (101); The coil unit (110) further includes an adaptive mechanism (20), wherein the adaptive mechanism (20) is mounted on the flexible body (10) and is used to guide the elastic deformation of the flexible body (10); The flexible body (10) is provided with a notch (11) at a location adjacent to the base (200), and the adaptive mechanism (20) is installed in the area where the notch (11) is located; The adaptive mechanism (20) comprises a first connecting component (21), a second connecting component (22) and a connecting shaft (23), wherein the first connecting component (21) and the second connecting component (22) are rotationally connected via the connecting shaft (23); The side of the first connecting component (21) away from the connecting shaft (23) is mounted on a portion of the flexible body (10) located on one side of the notch (11), and the side of the second connecting component (22) away from the connecting shaft (23) is mounted on a portion of the flexible body (10) located on the other opposite side of the notch (11).

2. The breast coil according to claim 1, wherein: Under the action of an external force, the flexible body (10) can elastically deform outward along the radial direction of the mounting hole (201) to change the space of the accommodating cavity (101).

3. The breast coil according to claim 1, wherein: The first connecting component (21) is provided with a first rotating body (24), and the second connecting component (22) is provided with a second rotating body (25). The first rotating body (24) and the second rotating body (25) are rotatably mounted on the connecting shaft (23) so that the first connecting component (21) and the second connecting component (22) are rotatably connected.

4. The breast coil according to claim 3, wherein: The first connecting assembly (21) comprises a first connecting plate (211) and a second connecting plate (212), and the first connecting plate (211) and the second connecting plate (212) cooperate to clamp the flexible body (10); The first connecting plate (211) and the second connecting plate (212) are respectively installed with the first rotating body (24).

5. The breast coil according to claim 3, wherein: The second connecting assembly (22) comprises a third connecting plate (221) and a back clamping plate (222), and the third connecting plate (221) cooperates with the back clamping plate (222) to clamp the flexible body (10); Wherein, the second rotating body (25) is mounted on the third connecting plate (221).

6. The breast coil according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the coil units (110) is an even number, and the even number of the coil units (110) are symmetrically distributed on the edge of the opening of the mounting hole (201).

7. A magnetic resonance imaging device comprising a device body and a breast coil, wherein the breast coil is arranged on the device body; The breast coil is configured as the breast coil according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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