Flexible coil assembly for magnetic resonance imaging system and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of magnetic resonance technology, and in particular to a flexible coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system and a manufacturing method thereof. The flexible coil assembly includes a deformable flexible support body and a radio frequency coil supported by the flexible support body, wherein the radio frequency coil includes: a coil ring configured to deform following the deformation of the flexible support body; a first circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first electronic device disposed on the first surface, wherein the coil ring is electrically connected to the first circuit board; a second circuit board having a third surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, and a second electronic device disposed on the third surface, wherein the third surface is opposite to the first surface; and a conductive connecting column, which mechanically fixes and connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board in a manner separated from each other, and electrically connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of magnetic resonance technology, and in particular to a flexible coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Patent document with publication number CN216117978 U (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a magnetic resonance flexible coil assembly, wherein the radio frequency coil of the assembly includes a coil unit and a circuit board electrically connected to the coil unit and covered by a housing for protection. Since Patent Document 1 provides a housing for protecting the circuit board, the thickness of the coil assembly is at least increased, and thus the deformation ability of the coil assembly is affected. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present application provides a flexible coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system. In addition, the present application also provides a method for manufacturing the flexible coil assembly.

[0004] In a first aspect, a flexible coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, comprising a deformable flexible support body and a radio frequency coil supported by the flexible support body, wherein the radio frequency coil comprises:

[0005] a coil ring configured to deform following the deformation of the flexible support;

[0006] A first circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first electronic device disposed on the first surface, wherein the coil ring is electrically connected to the first circuit board;

[0007] A second circuit board having a third surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, and a second electronic device disposed on the third surface, wherein the third surface is opposite to the first surface;

[0008] The conductive connecting column mechanically and fixedly connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board in a manner of being separated from each other, and electrically connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the flexible support body includes:

[0010] a first layer of flexible material;

[0011] A second flexible material layer, arranged in a stacked arrangement with the first flexible material layer;

[0012] Wherein, the coil ring, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged between the first flexible material layer and the second flexible material layer.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the first circuit board is stacked with the first flexible material layer and fixed to the first flexible material layer.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the first circuit board has a threading hole that passes through from the first surface to the second surface, and is fixed to the first flexible material layer by sewing with a first suture that passes through the threading hole.

[0015] In some possible embodiments, the coil ring is fixed to the first flexible material layer via a second stitching that spans the loop arm of the coil ring, and the edge of the first circuit board has an inwardly concave conductive recess that receives an end of the coil ring and is welded and fixed to the end, wherein the end extends along the board surface direction of the first circuit board.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the first circuit board has two conductive recesses, and the two conductive recesses respectively receive and weld two opposite ends of the coil ring.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged between the first flexible material layer and the second flexible material layer without being provided with a protective shell.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the first circuit board has a first conductive hole that passes through from the first surface to the second surface, and the second circuit board has a second conductive hole that passes through from the third surface to the fourth surface;

[0019] The connecting column comprises:

[0020] A conductive column having a first end portion inserted into the first conductive hole and fixed by welding to the first conductive hole, and a second end portion inserted into the second conductive hole and fixed by welding to the second conductive hole;

[0021] An insulating sleeve, which is sleeved outside the conductive column and is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the first conductive hole and the outer periphery of the second conductive hole;

[0022] The second end portion is configured to be inserted into the second conductive hole in a detachable and electrically contacted manner and then be welded and fixed to the second conductive hole.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the first electronic device includes an adjustable capacitor electrically connected to the first conductive via, and the second electronic device includes a preamplifier electrically connected to the second conductive via.

[0024] In a second aspect, a method for manufacturing a flexible coil assembly is provided, wherein the flexible coil assembly is used in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising:

[0025] A first flexible material layer and a plurality of radio frequency coils are provided, each of the radio frequency coils comprising a flexible coil ring, a first circuit board laminated and fixed with the first flexible material layer, a second circuit board and a conductive column; wherein the first circuit board has a first surface facing away from the first flexible material layer, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an adjustable capacitor electrically connected to the coil ring; the second circuit board has a third surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, a second conductive hole penetrating from the third surface to the fourth surface, and a preamplifier electrically connected to the second conductive hole; and the first end of the conductive column is fixedly welded to the first circuit board to be electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor;

[0026] When the second circuit board corresponding to the first RF coil is separated from the second end of the corresponding conductive column, and the second conductive holes of the second circuit boards corresponding to all RF coils except the first RF coil are sleeved on the second end of the corresponding conductive column, adjusting the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor on the first circuit board corresponding to the first RF coil, wherein the first RF coil is each RF coil among the multiple RF coils;

[0027] After the capacitance values ​​of the adjustable capacitors corresponding to all the radio frequency coils are adjusted, the second end of the conductive column is fixedly welded to the second conductive hole of the second circuit board.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the following further includes:

[0029] providing a second layer of flexible material;

[0030] The second flexible material layer is laminatedly connected to the first flexible material layer, wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils are located between the first flexible material layer and the second flexible material layer.

[0031] In some possible implementations, providing a first flexible material layer and a plurality of radio frequency coils includes:

[0032] Providing a first flexible material layer and a plurality of groups of coil components for respectively assembling the plurality of radio frequency coils, each group of the coil components comprising the coil ring, the first circuit board, the second circuit board and the conductive column which are separate from each other;

[0033] For each of the radio frequency coils, the first end of the corresponding conductive column is fixedly welded to the first circuit board so that the conductive column is electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor, the coil ring is welded to the first circuit board so that the coil ring is electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor, and the first circuit board is laminated and fixed to the first flexible material layer in a manner that the second surface faces the first flexible material layer.

[0034] In some possible implementations, the adjustable capacitor is disposed on the first surface, and the preamplifier is disposed on the third surface;

[0035] After the capacitance values ​​of the adjustable capacitors corresponding to all the radio frequency coils are adjusted, the second end of the conductive column is welded and fixed to the second conductive hole on the second circuit board, comprising:

[0036] After the capacitance values ​​of the adjustable capacitors corresponding to all the RF coils are adjusted, the second end of the conductive column is welded and fixed to the second conductive hole on the second circuit board, wherein the third surface of the second circuit board is opposite to the first surface of the first circuit board.

[0037] According to the flexible coil assembly provided by the present application, since the first surface of the first circuit board provided with the first electronic component and the third surface of the second circuit board provided with the second electronic component are opposite to each other, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are mechanically fixed together and electrically connected through the connecting column, when the flexible support body is deformed by the force applied, the first electronic component and the second electronic component can be effectively prevented from being damaged, and therefore, the protective structure (such as a protective shell) that provides additional protection for the first circuit board and the second circuit board can be reduced or omitted, thereby helping to reduce the size of the hard part of the radio frequency coil, so that the assembly has a smaller thickness and better deformation ability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description only relate to some embodiments of the present application, rather than limiting the present application.

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a flexible coil assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein components such as the radio frequency coil are shown in a perspective manner.

[0040] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded diagram of the flexible coil assembly.

[0041] Figure 3 Shown in stereogram Figure 1 The matching relationship between the medium radio frequency coil and the first flexible material layer.

[0042] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of the radio frequency coil.

[0043] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first circuit board.

[0044] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the first circuit board, the second circuit board and the connecting column during the assembly process.

[0045] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the medium radio frequency coil, which corresponds to the viewing angle from the first flexible material layer to the second flexible material layer.

[0046] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cooperation between the medium radio frequency coil and the first flexible material layer, which corresponds to the viewing angle from the second flexible material layer to the first flexible material layer.

[0047] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of a radio frequency coil in another embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a flexible coil assembly provided in another embodiment of the present application, wherein components such as the radio frequency coil are shown in a perspective manner.

[0049] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Exploded diagram of the flexible coil assembly.

[0050] Fig.12 It is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a flexible coil assembly provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Fig.13 It is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a flexible coil assembly provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Description of reference numerals:

[0053] 100-flexible support, 200-RF coil;

[0054] 1-first flexible material layer, 13-first fabric layer, 14-second fabric layer, 15-first sponge layer, 16-third fabric layer;

[0055] 2-second flexible material layer, 17-fourth fabric layer, 18-fifth fabric layer, 19-second sponge layer, 20-sixth fabric layer;

[0056] 3- coil ring;

[0057] 4-first circuit board, 4a-first surface, 4b-second surface, 4c-first conductive hole, 4d-conductive recess, 4e-first threading hole;

[0058] 5- a first electronic device;

[0059] 6-second circuit board, 6a-third surface, 6b-fourth surface, 6c-second conductive hole;

[0060] 7- a second electronic device;

[0061] 8-connecting column, 9-conductive column, 9a-first end, 9b-second end, 10-insulating sleeve;

[0062] 11 - first suture;

[0063] 12-second suture;

[0064] 21-capacitor;

[0065] 22-Protective case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical scheme of the embodiment of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiment of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the described embodiment of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work belong to the scope of protection of this application. It can be understood that, in the absence of conflict, some technical means of the various embodiments described herein can be replaced or combined with each other.

[0067] In the description of the specification and claims of this application, if there are terms such as "first", "second", etc., they are only used to distinguish the objects described and do not have any order or technical meaning. Therefore, the objects defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the objects. In addition, "one" or "a" and similar words do not indicate a quantitative limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one, and "multiple" means no less than two.

[0068] Figures 1 to 8 A flexible coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the assembly) provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, which includes a deformable flexible support body 100 and a plurality of radio frequency coils 200 supported by the flexible support body 100 .

[0069] The flexible support body 100 includes a first flexible material layer 1 and a second flexible material layer 2 which are stacked, and the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2 can be fixedly connected by sutures. In some embodiments, the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2 can be connected as one at one side of the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2. For example, a large area of ​​the flexible material layer can be folded in half around the middle to obtain the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2 are both multi-layer structures. Specifically, the first flexible material layer 1 includes a first fabric layer 13, a second fabric layer 14, a first sponge layer 15 and a third fabric layer 16 stacked in sequence in a direction away from the second flexible material layer 2, and the second flexible material layer 2 includes a fourth fabric layer 17, a fifth fabric layer 18, a second sponge layer 19 and a sixth fabric layer 20 stacked in sequence in a direction away from the first flexible material layer 1, and each fabric layer can be a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric (such as leather). In addition, the first fabric layer 13 and the fourth fabric layer 17 have strong tensile resistance and structural strength, and the third fabric layer 16 and the fourth fabric layer 17 can be leather with a high touch.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first flexible material layer 1 is used to contact the subject's body, while the second flexible material layer 2 is away from the subject's body. In other embodiments, the second flexible material layer 2 is used to contact the subject's body, while the first flexible material layer 1 is away from the subject's body.

[0072] A plurality of RF coils 200 may form a coil array, and the RF coils 200 are disposed between the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2, more specifically, between the first fabric layer 13 and the fourth fabric layer 17, and are fixed by sutures, thereby maintaining a stable relative position between the first fabric layer 13 and the fourth fabric layer 17.

[0073] Each radio frequency coil 200 includes a coil ring 3 , a first circuit board 4 , a second circuit board 6 , and a plurality of conductive connection posts 8 .

[0074] The coil loop 3 is sutured and fixed to the first flexible material layer 1 via a second suture 12 spanning the loop arm of the coil loop 3, and the coil loop 3 is configured to deform following the deformation of the flexible support 100. In this embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, the coil ring 3 is mainly formed by a flexible wire. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, the wire conductor is segmented at a position opposite to the first circuit board 4 , and these segments are electrically connected to each other via capacitors 21 .

[0075] The first circuit board 4 has a first surface 4a, a second surface 4b opposite to the first surface 4a, and a first electronic device 5 provided on the first surface 4a, and the first electronic device 5 protrudes from the first surface 4a by a certain height. Exemplarily, a plurality of first electronic devices 5 may be configured, and the pins of the plurality of first electronic devices 5 are respectively soldered to the pads of the first surface 4a. In this embodiment, the first electronic device 5 at least includes an adjustable capacitor. As is known, the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor can be adjusted and fixed by a modulation device. By adjusting the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor to a suitable value, the electrical properties of the radio frequency coil 200 can be changed, thereby seeking a better magnetic resonance scanning quality. For example, by adjusting the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor to a suitable value, the impedance matching between the part of the radio frequency coil 200 other than the preamplifier described later (including the coil ring 3 and the first circuit board 4) and the preamplifier can be achieved.

[0076] The second circuit board 6 has a third surface 6a, a fourth surface 6b opposite to the third surface 6a, and a second electronic device 7 disposed on the third surface 6a, the third surface 6a is opposite to the first surface 4a, and the second electronic device 7 protrudes from the third surface 6a by a certain height. In this embodiment, the second electronic device 7 at least includes a preamplifier, which is used to amplify the magnetic resonance signal received by the radio frequency coil 200.

[0077] The connecting pillars 8 mechanically and fixedly connect the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6 in a manner of being separated from each other, and electrically connect the first electronic device 5 and the second electronic device 7 .

[0078] The coil ring 3 extends over a range of approximately 340° and has two opposite ends, which are conductively soldered to different positions of the first circuit board 4, thereby achieving electrical connection between the coil ring 3 and the first circuit board 4, in particular, achieving electrical connection between the coil ring 3 and the first electronic device 5, and based on the connecting column 8, also achieving electrical connection between the coil ring 3 and the second circuit board 6, in particular, the second electronic device 7 on the second circuit board 6.

[0079] In this embodiment, since the first surface 4a of the first circuit board 4 provided with the first electronic component and the third surface 6a of the second circuit board 6 provided with the second electronic component are opposite to each other, and the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6 are mechanically fixed together and electrically connected through the connecting column 8, when the flexible support body 100 is deformed by the applied force, the first electronic component and the second electronic component can be effectively prevented from being damaged, and therefore, if Figure 1 and Figure 2There is no need to separately configure the protective shell 22 to provide additional protection for the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6, that is, the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6 are arranged between the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2 without configuring the protective shell 22, which helps to reduce the size of the hard part of the radio frequency coil 200, so that the present component has a smaller thickness and better deformation ability.

[0080] In other embodiments, Fig.10 and Fig.11 The flexible coil assembly can be configured with a protective shell 22 that accommodates the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6 therein, and the protective shell 22 is fixed to the first flexible material layer 1. The protective shell 22 may include a shell seat with a latch tongue and a shell cover with a latch hole, the shell seat is configured on the outer surface side of the first flexible material layer 1, and the shell cover is configured on the inner surface side of the first flexible material layer 1 (that is, between the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2), and the latch tongue of the shell seat passes through the first flexible material layer 1 and extends into the inner surface side of the first flexible material layer 1, and is engaged with the latch hole on the shell cover, thereby achieving the fixing of the protective shell 22 and the first flexible material layer 1.

[0081] In this embodiment, the first circuit board 4, the second circuit board 6 and the connecting column 8 constituting the radio frequency coil 200 have the following configuration before being completely assembled together: Figures 3 to 6 The first circuit board 4 has a first conductive hole 4c that passes through from the first surface 4a to the second surface 4b. The second circuit board 6 has a second conductive hole 6c that passes through from the third surface 6a to the fourth surface 6b. The connecting column 8 includes a conductive column 9 and an insulating sleeve 10 sleeved outside the conductive column 9. For example, a metal coating can be formed on the inner wall and the opening of the first conductive hole 4c and the second conductive hole 6c, so that the first conductive hole 4c and the second conductive hole 6c have conductivity.

[0082] Continuing from the previous paragraph, during assembly, after the first end 9a of the conductive column 9 is detachably inserted into the first conductive hole 4c from the first surface 4a side, the extended section of the first end 9a protruding from the second surface 4b is cut off, and then the remaining section of the first end 9a is welded and fixed to the first conductive hole 4c with the help of solder, so that the first end 9a and the first conductive hole 4c maintain a stable conductive and mechanical connection; and, after the second end 9b of the conductive column 9 is detachably inserted into the second conductive hole 6c from the third surface 6a side, the extended section of the second end 9b protruding from the fourth surface 6b is cut off, and then the remaining section of the second end 9b is welded and fixed to the second conductive hole 6c with the help of solder, so that the second end 9b and the second conductive hole 6c maintain a stable conductive and mechanical connection. With such a design, during the assembly process, the second circuit board 6 with the preamplifier can be easily removed from the second end 9 b of the conductive column 9 to electrically separate the preamplifier from the RF coil 200, and can also be easily joined to the second end 9 b of the conductive column 9 to connect the preamplifier to the RF coil 200. Therefore, the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor corresponding to each RF coil 200 can be easily adjusted, and the electrical performance of each RF coil 200 can be easily adjusted to a suitable value, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0083] Furthermore, the insulating sleeve 10 sleeved outside the conductive column 9 has a radial dimension larger than the first conductive hole 4c and the second conductive hole 6c, so that during the aforementioned assembly process and after the assembly is completed, the insulating sleeve 10 is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the first conductive hole 4c and the outer periphery of the second conductive hole 6c. Through such a design, the insulating sleeve 10 can separate the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6 from each other with a sufficient interval, thereby preventing the first electronic device 5 and the second electronic device 7 from being compressed and lost. In addition, the insulating sleeve 10 can electrically isolate the conductive column 9 on its inner peripheral side from the outer peripheral side of the insulating sleeve 10 to prevent the electrical devices on the circuit board from being short-circuited.

[0084] The first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 6 are both formed into a substantially square shape, and the four corners of the square are formed into arc shapes protruding outward. In this way, the first circuit board 4 or the second circuit board 6 can be prevented from losing the flexible support body 100.

[0085] Furthermore, the first circuit board 4 has threading holes passing from the first surface 4a to the second surface 4b near its four corners, and the first circuit board 4 is fixed to the first flexible material layer 1 by sewing the first stitches 11 passing through these threading holes. In this way, the first circuit board 4 and further the second circuit board 6 can be effectively fixed to the flexible support body 100, preventing the first circuit board 4 from moving relative to the flexible support body 100 and the coil ring 3, and preventing the connection portion of the coil ring 3 and the first circuit board 4 from being separated.

[0086] The edge of the first circuit board 4 has two inwardly concave conductive recesses 4d, which respectively receive the two opposite ends of the coil ring 3 and are respectively conductively welded and fixed with the two opposite ends, and the aforementioned ends of the coil ring 3 extend along the board surface direction of the first circuit board 4. For example, a metal coating can be formed on the inner wall of the conductive recess 4d, so that the conductive recess 4d has conductivity. During assembly, the end of the coil ring 3 can be inserted into the conductive recess 4d along the concave direction of the conductive recess 4d (which is also the board surface direction of the first circuit board 4), and then the two are welded and fixed by solder. Through such a design, the entire end of the coil ring 3 can be stacked on the first flexible material layer 1 in a relatively straight state and be on the same plane as the first circuit board 4, which helps to suppress the bending deformation of the end of the coil ring 3 in the thickness direction of the first circuit board 4, reduce the force on the welding part of the coil ring 3 and the first circuit board 4, and reduce the possibility of the welding part being detached.

[0087] Furthermore, the aforementioned second stitch 12 for sewing and fixing the coil loop 3 to the first flexible material layer 1 can cover the vicinity of the welding portion between the coil loop 3 and the conductive recess 4d, which helps to further reduce the stress on the welding portion between the coil loop 3 and the conductive recess 4d.

[0088] Combined with the above description, next, see Fig.12 Combined with Figures 1 to 8 The present application also provides a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned flexible coil assembly, the method comprising:

[0089] S121, providing a first flexible material layer 1, a second flexible material layer 2 and a plurality of radio frequency coils 200, each radio frequency coil 200 comprising a flexible coil ring 3, a first circuit board 4 laminated and fixed with the first flexible material layer 1, a second circuit board 6 and a conductive column 9; wherein the first circuit board 4 comprises a first surface 4a facing away from the first flexible material layer 1, a second surface 4b opposite to the first surface 4a, and an adjustable capacitor disposed on the first surface 4a and electrically connected to the coil ring 3, the second circuit board 6 comprises a third surface 6a, a fourth surface 6b opposite to the third surface 6a, a preamplifier disposed on the third surface 6a, and a second conductive hole 6c penetrating from the third surface 6a to the fourth surface 6b and electrically connected to the preamplifier, and a first end portion 9a of the conductive column 9 is fixedly welded to the first circuit board 4 to be electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor.

[0090] It should be understood that in step S121 , the RF coil 200 is an RF coil 200 that has not been fully assembled, at least the second circuit board 6 has not been soldered to the conductive pillar 9 .

[0091] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, the first circuit board 4 has a first conductive hole 4c which passes through from the first surface 4a to the second surface 4b and is electrically connected to the preamplifier. The first conductive hole 4c is used for inserting and soldering the first end 9a of the conductive column 9.

[0092] In some embodiments, the conductive pillar 9 in step S121 is further covered with an insulating sleeve 10 , that is, the conductive pillar 9 can be provided in the configuration of the aforementioned connecting pillar 8 .

[0093] like Fig.13 As shown, the step S121 of providing a first flexible material layer 1, a second flexible material layer 2 and a plurality of radio frequency coils 200 may specifically include:

[0094] S121a , providing a first flexible material layer 1 , a second flexible material layer 2 , and a plurality of groups of coil components for respectively assembling the plurality of radio frequency coils 200 , each group of coil components comprising a coil ring 3 , a first circuit board 4 , a second circuit board 6 , and a conductive column 9 .

[0095] In step S121a, one group of coil components corresponds to one RF coil 200, and the first circuit board 4, the second circuit board 6 and the conductive column 9 in each group of coil components are separate from each other, and no two of them are assembled together.

[0096] S121b, for each RF coil 200, the first end 9a of the corresponding conductive column 9 is fixedly welded to the first circuit board 4, so that the conductive column 9 is electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor, the coil ring 3 is welded to the first circuit board 4, so that the coil ring 3 is electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor, and the first circuit board 4 is laminated and fixed to the first flexible material layer 1 in a manner that the second surface 4b faces the first flexible material layer 1.

[0097] Exemplarily, the first end 9a of the conductive column 9 can be inserted into the first conductive hole 4c of the first circuit board 4 from the first surface 4a side, and then the extended section of the first end 9a protruding from the second surface 4b is cut off, and then the remaining section of the first end 9a is welded and fixed to the first conductive hole 4c by means of solder, so that the fourth surface 6b of the first circuit board 4 in contact with the first flexible material layer 1 has a certain smoothness to prevent the second surface 4b from scratching the first flexible material layer 1. Afterwards, the two opposite ends of the coil ring 3 are respectively inserted into the two conductive recesses 4d of the first circuit board 4 and welded. Afterwards, in a state where the first circuit board 4 and the coil ring 3 are both stacked on the first flexible material layer 1, the first circuit board 4 is sutured and fixed to the first flexible material layer 1 by the first stitch 11 inserted into the threading hole, and the coil ring 3 is sutured and fixed to the first flexible material layer 1 by the second stitch 12 crossing the ring arm of the coil ring 3.

[0098] S122, when the second circuit board 6 corresponding to the first RF coil is separated from the second end 9 b of the corresponding conductive column 9, and the second conductive holes 6 c of the second circuit boards 6 corresponding to all RF coils 200 except the first RF coil are electrically contacted and sleeved on the second end 9 b of the corresponding conductive column 9, adjust the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor on the first circuit board 4 corresponding to the first RF coil, wherein the first RF coil is each RF coil 200 of the plurality of RF coils 200.

[0099] That is, for each RF coil 200, when the second circuit board 6 corresponding to the RF coil 200 is separated from the second end 9b of the corresponding conductive column 9, and the second conductive holes 6c of the second circuit boards 6 corresponding to all RF coils 200 except the RF coil 200 are electrically contacted and sleeved on the second end 9b of the corresponding conductive column 9, the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor on the first circuit board 4 corresponding to the RF coil 200 is adjusted. The second end 9b and the first end 9a are two opposite ends of the conductive column 9.

[0100] As mentioned above, by adjusting the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor to a suitable value, the characteristic impedance of the part of the RF coil 200 other than the preamplifier (including the coil ring 3 and the first circuit board 4, referred to as the target part for the convenience of description) can be changed, so that the target part and the preamplifier can achieve impedance matching. As is known, when the impedance of the non-amplifier part of the RF coil 200, i.e., the aforementioned target part, is adjusted, the target part and the preamplifier must be kept in a state of being electrically isolated from each other from the RF coil 200, and when the impedance of the target part of any RF coil 200 is adjusted, the target parts of the other RF coils 200 should be electrically connected to the preamplifier, so as to fully consider the influence of other RF coils 200 in the coil array on the RF coil 200. Advantageously, in the present embodiment, the second circuit board 6 with the preamplifier can be easily removed from the second end 9 b of the conductive column 9 to electrically separate the preamplifier from the target portion, and can also be easily joined to the second end 9 b of the conductive column 9 to electrically connect the preamplifier to the target portion, thereby making it easy to efficiently adjust the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor corresponding to each RF coil 200 and further the characteristic impedance of the target portion of each RF coil 200.

[0101] It should be understood that for any RF coil 200, step S122 may be performed multiple times. For example, after all RF coils 200 are adjusted according to step S122, one or more RF coils 200 may be adjusted a second time or more times according to step S122. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0102] In the process of executing step S122, the first surface 4a of the first circuit board 4 can be arranged upward along the direction of gravity. In this way, when the second circuit board 6 is sleeved on the second end 9b of the conductive column 9 using the second conductive hole 6c thereon, the second circuit board 6 can be prevented from detaching from the conductive column 9, and the insulating sleeve 10 sleeved outside the conductive column 9 can support the second circuit board 6 upward to prevent the second circuit board 6 from contacting the first electronic device 5 of the first circuit board 4.

[0103] In addition, in step S122, the second end 9b of the conductive column 9 may be inserted into a port of a debugging device, so as to use the debugging device to adjust the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor.

[0104] S123, after the capacitance values ​​of the adjustable capacitors on the first circuit board 4 corresponding to all the RF coils 200 are adjusted, the second end 9b of the conductive column 9 is welded and fixed to the second conductive hole 6c on the second circuit board 6, wherein the third surface 6a of the second circuit board 6 is opposite to the first surface 4a of the first circuit board 4.

[0105] In some embodiments, the extended section of the second end portion 9b protruding from the fourth surface 6b is cut off, and then the remaining section of the second end portion 9b is welded and fixed to the first conductive hole 4c by means of solder, so that the fourth surface 6b of the second circuit board 6 in contact with the second flexible material layer 2 has a certain smoothness, thereby preventing the fourth surface 6b from scratching the second flexible material layer 2.

[0106] S124 , connecting the second flexible material layer 2 to the first flexible material layer 1 in a laminated manner, and the plurality of radio frequency coils 200 are located between the first flexible material layer 1 and the second flexible material layer 2 .

Claims

1. A flexible coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a deformable flexible support body and a radio frequency coil supported by the flexible support body, wherein the radio frequency coil comprises: a coil ring configured to deform following the deformation of the flexible support; A first circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first electronic device disposed on the first surface, wherein the coil ring is electrically connected to the first circuit board; A second circuit board having a third surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, and a second electronic device disposed on the third surface, wherein the third surface is opposite to the first surface; The conductive connecting column mechanically and fixedly connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board in a manner of being separated from each other, and electrically connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

2. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible support body comprises: a first layer of flexible material; A second flexible material layer, arranged in a stacked arrangement with the first flexible material layer; Wherein, the coil ring, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged between the first flexible material layer and the second flexible material layer.

3. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first circuit board is stacked with the first flexible material layer and fixed to the first flexible material layer.

4. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first circuit board has a threading hole that passes through from the first surface to the second surface, and is fixed to the first flexible material layer by sewing with a first suture that penetrates through the threading hole.

5. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The coil ring is fixed to the first flexible material layer via a second stitch that spans the ring arm of the coil ring, and the edge of the first circuit board has an inwardly concave conductive recess, which receives the end of the coil ring and is welded and fixed to the end, wherein the end extends along the board surface direction of the first circuit board.

6. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first circuit board has two conductive recesses, and the two conductive recesses respectively receive and weld two opposite ends of the coil ring.

7. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged between the first flexible material layer and the second flexible material layer without being provided with a protective cover.

8. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first circuit board has a first conductive hole extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the second circuit board has a second conductive hole extending from the third surface to the fourth surface; The connecting column comprises: A conductive column having a first end portion inserted into the first conductive hole and fixed by welding to the first conductive hole, and a second end portion inserted into the second conductive hole and fixed by welding to the second conductive hole; An insulating sleeve, which is sleeved outside the conductive column and is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the first conductive hole and the outer periphery of the second conductive hole; The second end portion is configured to be inserted into the second conductive hole in a detachable and electrically contacted manner and then be welded and fixed to the second conductive hole.

9. The flexible coil assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first electronic device includes an adjustable capacitor electrically connected to the first conductive hole, and the second electronic device includes a preamplifier electrically connected to the second conductive hole.

10. A method for manufacturing a flexible coil assembly, wherein the flexible coil assembly is used in a magnetic resonance imaging system, characterized in that: include: A first flexible material layer and a plurality of radio frequency coils are provided, each of the radio frequency coils comprising a flexible coil ring, a first circuit board laminated and fixed with the first flexible material layer, a second circuit board and a conductive column; wherein the first circuit board has a first surface facing away from the first flexible material layer, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an adjustable capacitor disposed on the first surface and electrically connected to the coil ring; the second circuit board has a third surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, a second conductive hole penetrating from the third surface to the fourth surface, and a preamplifier disposed on the third surface and electrically connected to the second conductive hole; and the first end of the conductive column is fixedly welded to the first circuit board to be electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor; When the second circuit board corresponding to the first RF coil is separated from the second end of the corresponding conductive column, and the second conductive holes of the second circuit boards corresponding to all RF coils except the first RF coil are electrically contacted and sleeved on the second end of the corresponding conductive column, adjusting the capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor on the first circuit board corresponding to the first RF coil, wherein the first RF coil is each RF coil among the multiple RF coils; After the capacitance values ​​of the adjustable capacitors corresponding to all the RF coils are adjusted, the second end of the conductive column is welded and fixed to the second conductive hole of the second circuit board, wherein the third surface of the second circuit board is opposite to the first surface of the first circuit board.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Also includes: providing a second layer of flexible material; The second flexible material layer is laminatedly connected to the first flexible material layer, wherein the plurality of radio frequency coils are located between the first flexible material layer and the second flexible material layer.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method of providing a first flexible material layer and a plurality of radio frequency coils comprises: Providing a first flexible material layer and a plurality of groups of coil components for respectively assembling the plurality of radio frequency coils, each group of the coil components comprising the coil ring, the first circuit board, the second circuit board and the conductive column which are separate from each other; For each of the radio frequency coils, the first end of the corresponding conductive column is fixedly welded to the first circuit board so that the conductive column is electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor, the coil ring is welded to the first circuit board so that the coil ring is electrically connected to the adjustable capacitor, and the first circuit board is laminated and fixed to the first flexible material layer in a manner that the second surface faces the first flexible material layer.

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