Magnetic resonance coil and magnetic resonance system

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of magnetic resonance coils and magnetic resonance system.The magnetic resonance coil includes hard coil and flexible coil, the hard coil includes at least two segments sequentially connected cambered coil, adjacent two cambered coil movably connect, the inner side wall of the cambered coil is fixed with the both ends of the flexible coil;Formed between the cambered coil of the both ends of the hard coil the opening that can be opened and closed, so that the hard coil has open state and closed state;Open state, the opening opens to be scanned object to extend into the hard coil, the flexible coil is deformed and covers the object to be scanned with the extension;Closed state, the opening is closed, and the hard coil presents closed annular;While completing hard coil closing operation, it can automatically complete the covering of the object to be scanned by flexible coil, without needing to carry out separate covering operation, increase the covering efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance equipment, and in particular to magnetic resonance coils and magnetic resonance systems. Background Technology

[0002] During magnetic resonance scanning, if there is a gap between the radio frequency coil and the surface of the object being scanned, the signal-to-noise ratio will decrease, affecting the scanning quality. To solve this problem, flexible coils that can be wrapped around the surface of the object being scanned are currently widely used.

[0003] However, the process of wrapping the flexible coil around the patient's surface to be scanned is quite complex and reduces the efficiency of magnetic resonance scanning. In addition, when high-quality image scanning is required, an additional rigid transmitting coil still needs to be added outside the flexible coil, which increases the workload of medical staff and also reduces the efficiency of magnetic resonance scanning. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a magnetic resonance coil and magnetic resonance system with higher encapsulation efficiency to address the problem of low efficiency when using flexible coils for high-quality image scanning.

[0005] This application first provides a magnetic resonance coil, including a rigid coil and a flexible coil. The rigid coil includes at least two segments of arc-shaped coils connected in sequence, with adjacent segments of the arc-shaped coils movably connected. Both ends of the flexible coil are fixed to the inner sidewall of the arc-shaped coil. An openable and closable opening is formed between the arc-shaped coils at both ends of the rigid coil, so that the rigid coil has an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the opening is open to allow the object to be scanned to be inserted into the rigid coil, and the flexible coil deforms to cover the object to be scanned as the object is inserted, or the flexible coil can be deformed into a cavity for accommodating the object to be scanned. In the closed state, the opening is closed, and the rigid coil is a closed ring.

[0006] In one embodiment, the rigid coil comprises two segments of the curved coil.

[0007] In one embodiment, the closed position of the two arc-shaped coil segments is located directly below the annular center of the rigid coil.

[0008] In one embodiment, the central angles corresponding to the two segments of the arc-shaped coil are both 180°.

[0009] In one embodiment, two adjacent segments of the arcuate coil are rotatably connected.

[0010] In one embodiment, the two ends of the flexible coil are respectively fixed to two arc-shaped coils located at the two ends of the rigid coil; during the opening closing process, the arc-shaped coils located at the two ends of the rigid coil move closer to each other to drive the flexible coil to cover the object to be scanned.

[0011] In one embodiment, in the closed state, the arc-shaped coil located between the two ends of the flexible coil and close to the closed position of the rigid coil has a central angle of less than or equal to 30 degrees.

[0012] In one embodiment, the magnetic resonance coil further includes a support base. In the closed state, the rigid coil is fixed relative to the support base, and both the rigid coil and the flexible coil are electrically connected to the support base.

[0013] In one embodiment, the support base includes a base portion, a connecting portion, and a support portion connected in sequence. A clearance groove is provided at the closed position of the rigid coil. In the closed state, the two arc-shaped coil segments located at both ends of the rigid coil are fastened and fixed. The connecting portion passes through the clearance groove, and the support portion is located inside the rigid coil.

[0014] A second aspect of this application provides a magnetic resonance system including the aforementioned magnetic resonance coil.

[0015] The aforementioned magnetic resonance coil can automatically wrap the flexible coil around the object to be scanned while completing the closing operation of the rigid coil, eliminating the need for a separate wrapping operation. This effectively reduces the workload of medical staff, lowers the difficulty of wrapping the magnetic resonance coil, and increases wrapping efficiency. In addition, it eliminates the influence of the medical staff's own skill level on the wrapping quality, ensuring that the position of the object to be scanned and the flexible coil is relatively fixed after each wrapping, resulting in better consistency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the magnetic resonance coil of this application in the open state;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A front view structural diagram;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the magnetic resonance coil of this application in a closed state;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A front view structural diagram;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a front view schematic diagram of the rigid coil and flexible coil in another embodiment;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a front view schematic diagram of the rigid coil and flexible coil in another embodiment.

[0022] Reference numerals: 10, rigid coil; 11, curved coil; 12, opening; 13, clearance groove; 20, flexible coil; 30, support base; 31, base part; 32, connecting part; 33, support part. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0025] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0027] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0028] Please combine Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this application first provides a magnetic resonance coil, including a rigid coil 10 and a flexible coil 20. The rigid coil 10 includes at least two segments of arc-shaped coils 11 connected in sequence, with adjacent segments of the arc-shaped coils 11 movably connected. Both ends of the flexible coil 20 are fixed to the inner sidewalls of the arc-shaped coils 11. An openable and closable opening 12 is formed between the arc-shaped coils 11 at both ends of the rigid coil 10, so that the rigid coil 10 has an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the opening 12 is open to allow the object to be scanned to be inserted into the rigid coil 10, and the flexible coil 20 deforms to cover the object to be scanned as the object is inserted, or the flexible coil 20 can be deformed into a cavity for accommodating the object to be scanned. In the closed state, the two segments of the arc-shaped coils 11 at both ends of the rigid coil 10 abut against each other to close the opening 12, and the rigid coil 10 forms a closed ring.

[0029] In this article, the rigid coil 10 is the transmitting coil and the flexible coil 20 is the receiving coil; the closed position refers to the position where the two arc-shaped coils 11 located at both ends of the rigid coil 10 are in contact with each other in the closed state.

[0030] In this application, by fixing the two ends of the flexible coil 20 with elasticity and extensibility to the inner sidewall of the arc coil 11, and cooperating with the rigid coil 10 composed of multiple arc coils 11, the object to be scanned can be inserted into the rigid coil 10 through the opening 12 in the open state and then abut against the flexible coil 20. As the object to be scanned is further inserted, the flexible coil 20 will extend and deform and gradually cover the object to be scanned.

[0031] When the rigid coil 10 changes from the open state to the closed state, if the two ends of the flexible coil 20 are fixed on different arc surface coils 11, the flexible coil 20 will be extended and deformed under the drive of the arc surface coil 11 and further cover the object to be scanned until the rigid coil 10 completes the closure.

[0032] Therefore, the magnetic resonance coil of this application can automatically wrap the flexible coil 20 around the object to be scanned while completing the closing operation of the rigid coil 10, without the need for a separate wrapping operation. This effectively reduces the workload of medical staff, lowers the difficulty of wrapping the magnetic resonance coil, and increases the wrapping efficiency. In addition, it eliminates the influence of the medical staff's own skill level on the wrapping quality, so that after each wrapping, the position of the object to be scanned and the flexible coil 20 is relatively fixed, resulting in better consistency.

[0033] Meanwhile, since the flexible coil 20 is fixed to the rigid coil 10, the flexible coil 20 and the object to be scanned are less likely to slide relative to each other during the magnetic resonance scanning process, thereby improving the scanning accuracy.

[0034] It should be noted that the joint of the transmitting coil may result in poor imaging due to uneven magnetic field. However, in the rigid coil 10 of this application, the segments of the arc coil 11 are electrically connected by flexible circuits. Therefore, when the rigid coil 10 switches between the open and closed states, its internal circuit always remains connected. The rigid coil 10 has only one joint point in the closed position, which avoids the situation where too many joint points affect the forming quality.

[0035] In some embodiments, the object to be scanned may be a patient's limb or an animal, etc., and this application does not further limit this. Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the rigid coil 10 includes two curved coil sections 11.

[0036] Although the curved coils 11 are electrically connected by a flexible circuit, the corresponding movable connection points are not considered as joint points in the closed state. However, the imaging quality during scanning is still somewhat different from that of an integrated transmitting coil. By using two curved coils 11 to form a rigid coil 10, the rigid coil 10 can be switched between the open and closed states while minimizing the number of movable connection points, thus improving the imaging quality.

[0037] In addition, the rigid coil 10 can be switched between open and closed states simply by opening or closing the two curved coils 11, which reduces the difficulty of closing the rigid coil 10, further reduces the difficulty of wrapping the magnetic resonance coil, and increases the wrapping efficiency.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, the rigid coil 10 also includes two or more arc-shaped coils 11 to obtain a larger opening 12 in the open state to meet the scanning needs of patients of different body types and sizes. This application does not make further limitations here.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the closed position of the two arc-shaped coils 11 is located directly below the annular center of the rigid coil 10.

[0040] Understandably, during human joint scanning, the area above and to the side of the joint has a significant impact on the imaging effect. In this application, the closed position of the arc coil 11 is designed directly below the center of the ring of the rigid coil 10, so that during the scanning process, the only joint point of the rigid coil 10 is located directly below the object to be scanned, thereby further reducing the impact of the joint point on the imaging effect.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the central angles corresponding to the two arc-shaped coils 11 are both 180°; this setting can maximize the size of the opening 12 of the rigid coil 10 in the open state, so that patients of different body types and sizes can insert the object to be scanned into the rigid coil 10.

[0042] Of course, the central angles corresponding to the two curved coils 11 can also be other angles, as long as the patient can insert the object to be scanned into the rigid coil 10 through the opening 12.

[0043] Please combine Figure 1 as well as Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, adjacent arc-shaped coil segments 11 are rotatably connected, allowing one segment of the arc-shaped coil 11 to rotate relative to the adjacent segment, thereby enabling the linearly distributed arc-shaped coils 11 to eventually rotate to a closed state, forming a circle. The hinged connection facilitates the switching of the rigid coil 10 between open and closed states by medical personnel. Of course, adjacent arc-shaped coil segments 11 can also be connected using other commonly used movable connection methods, which are not further limited herein. Preferably, adjacent arc-shaped coil segments 11 are hinged together.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the two ends of the flexible coil 20 are respectively fixed to two arc-shaped coils 11 located at both ends of the rigid coil 10; during the closing process of the opening 12, the arc-shaped coils 11 located at both ends of the rigid coil 10 move closer to each other to drive the flexible coil 20 to cover the object to be scanned.

[0045] This allows the two arc-shaped coils 11 at both ends of the rigid coil 10 to close towards the center of the rigid coil 10 during the process of changing from an open state to a closed state. This causes the fixed point of the flexible coil 20 to move towards the center of the rigid coil 10, thereby allowing the flexible coil 20 to further cover the object to be scanned under the action of the corresponding arc-shaped coils 11 until the rigid coil 10 is completely closed. This increases the coverage area of ​​the flexible coil 20 and improves the subsequent scanning and imaging quality.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the two ends of the flexible coil 20 may also be fixed to the same arc-shaped coil 11, and this application does not make further limitations here.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, in the closed state, the central angle α of the arc-shaped coil 11 located between the two ends of the flexible coil 20 and close to the closed position of the rigid coil 10 is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

[0048] Traditional flexible coils often have overlapping areas after wrapping, which not only result in poor imaging but also affect the overall magnetic resonance imaging effect. In this application, even in the closed state, the flexible coil 20 does not completely wrap the object to be scanned, so as to avoid the overlap of the flexible coil 20 affecting the imaging (it should be noted that in magnetic resonance scanning, if the flexible coil 20 is not completely wrapped, that is, if there is a lack of channels, it will only darken the imaging image and will not prevent imaging).

[0049] Understandably, the smaller the central angle, the less the image darkens and the better the imaging effect. Factors such as the size of the object to be scanned and the relative position of the object to be scanned and the rigid coil 10 in the closed state will also affect the uncovered angle of the flexible coil 20, thus affecting the brightness of the image. However, after conducting simulation tests using the limb size of a typical patient, this application found that limiting the central angle of the arc coil 11 between the two ends of the flexible coil 20 in the closed state to less than or equal to 30 degrees can ensure that the image brightness of magnetic resonance imaging meets the observation needs of medical staff in most cases.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the magnetic resonance coil also includes a support base 30. In the closed state, the rigid coil 10 is fixed relative to the support base 30, and both the rigid coil 10 and the flexible coil 20 are electrically connected to the support base 30.

[0051] The support base 30 is used to support the object to be scanned and can fix the position of the object to be scanned. By pre-adjusting the relative positional relationship between the support base 30 and the rigid coil 10, the flexible coil 20 can be precisely wrapped around the object to be scanned on the support base 30 after the rigid coil 10 is closed. This further reduces the impact of the medical staff's operation level on the wrapping quality, increases the wrapping quality of the flexible coil 20, and improves the imaging effect.

[0052] Furthermore, the special structure of the rigid coil 10 and the flexible coil 20 in this application results in limited space for the corresponding circuit components. It is difficult to directly place the circuit components on the rigid coil 10 or the flexible coil 20. Therefore, the corresponding circuit components are placed on the support base 30, and the placement and connection of the corresponding circuit components are completed by electrically connecting the rigid coil 10 and the flexible coil 20 to the support base 30 in the closed state.

[0053] The circuit components here include front-end amplifier circuits, etc., which will not be listed one by one in this application. Taking the front-end amplifier circuit as an example, the front-end amplifier circuit is fixed on the support base 30, and in the closed state, the flexible coil 20 is electrically connected to the front-end amplifier circuit.

[0054] In the closed state, the rigid coil 10 is fixed relative to the support base 30. It can be that the curved coil 11 is interlocked and fixed so that the rigid coil 10 is clamped and fixed to the support base 30. Alternatively, the corresponding curved coil 11 can be fixed separately to the support base 30. As long as the rigid coil 10 and the support base 30 can be fixed relative to each other, this application does not make any further limitations.

[0055] Please combine Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the support base 30 includes a base portion 31, a connecting portion 32, and a support portion 33 connected in sequence. The rigid coil 10 has a clearance groove 13 at its closed position. In the closed state, the two arc-shaped coils 11 located at both ends of the rigid coil 10 are fastened and fixed. The connecting portion 32 passes through the clearance groove 13, and the support portion 33 is located inside the rigid coil 10. The support portion 33 has an arc-shaped support surface, which facilitates the patient to place the object to be scanned, thereby increasing the patient's comfort.

[0056] By creating the clearance groove 13, the rigid coil 10 is ensured to be a closed ring in the closed state, which meets the basic requirements of magnetic resonance imaging, while avoiding interference between the support base 30 and the rigid coil 10.

[0057] A second aspect of this application provides a magnetic resonance system including the aforementioned magnetic resonance coil.

[0058] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, 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.

[0059] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance coil, characterized in that, The device includes a rigid coil (10) and a flexible coil (20). The rigid coil (10) includes at least two segments of arc-shaped coils (11) connected in sequence. The two adjacent segments of the arc-shaped coils (11) are movably connected. Both ends of the flexible coil (20) are fixed to the inner sidewall of the arc-shaped coils (11). An openable opening (12) is formed between the arc-shaped coils (11) at both ends of the rigid coil (10). In the open state, the opening (12) is open to allow the object to be scanned to be inserted into the rigid coil (10), and the flexible coil (20) deforms to cover the object to be scanned as the object is inserted, or the flexible coil (20) can be deformed into a cavity for accommodating the object to be scanned. In the closed state, the opening (12) is closed, and the rigid coil (10) is in a closed ring shape.

2. The magnetic resonance coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid coil (10) comprises two sections of the arc-shaped coil (11).

3. The magnetic resonance coil according to claim 2, characterized in that, The closed positions of the two arc-shaped coils (11) are located directly below the annular center of the rigid coil (10).

4. The magnetic resonance coil according to claim 2, characterized in that, The central angles corresponding to the two arc coils (11) are both 180°.

5. The magnetic resonance coil according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The two adjacent arc-shaped coils (11) are rotatably connected.

6. The magnetic resonance coil according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The two ends of the flexible coil (20) are respectively fixed to the two arc-shaped coils (11) located at both ends of the rigid coil (10); during the closing process of the opening (12), the arc-shaped coils (11) located at both ends of the rigid coil (10) move closer to each other to drive the flexible coil (20) to cover the object to be scanned.

7. The magnetic resonance coil according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In the closed state, the arc-shaped coil (11) located between the two ends of the flexible coil (20) and close to the closed position of the rigid coil (10) has a central angle of less than or equal to 30 degrees.

8. The magnetic resonance coil according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The magnetic resonance coil also includes a support base (30). In the closed state, the rigid coil (10) is fixed relative to the support base (30), and both the rigid coil (10) and the flexible coil (20) are electrically connected to the support base (30).

9. The magnetic resonance coil according to claim 8, characterized in that, The support base (30) includes a base part (31), a connecting part (32) and a support part (33) connected in sequence. The rigid coil (10) has a clearance groove (13) at the closed position. In the closed state, the two arc-shaped coils (11) at both ends of the rigid coil (10) are fastened and fixed. The connecting part (32) passes through the clearance groove (13). The support part (33) is located inside the rigid coil (10).

10. A magnetic resonance system, characterized in that, Includes the magnetic resonance coil as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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