Magnetic resonance coil device and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance, in particular to a magnetic resonance coil device and a use method thereof. The magnetic resonance coil device comprises a liquid accommodating space which is used for accommodating liquid and is provided with an upward opening part; and a carrier including a main body portion and a holder detachably attached to the main body portion, the holder being configured to be inserted downward into the liquid accommodating space through the opening portion after a subject, which is an animal, is fixed to the holder, and to hold the liquid in the liquid accommodating space through the opening portion. Wherein the fixer is provided with an external part which extends out of the opening part and is positioned above the outside of the liquid accommodating space, the external part is connected to the main body part through a fastener so as to realize the installation of the fixer and the main body part, and the detected part of the detected object is immersed in the liquid; the radio frequency coil is arranged on the outer side of the liquid containing space and used for receiving magnetic resonance signals from the detected part.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original invention patent application entitled “Magnetic resonance coil device and method of use, liquid container for magnetic resonance imaging” and application number 202411673438.6, which was submitted to the China Patent Office on November 21, 2024. All the disclosed contents of the original invention patent application are incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of magnetic resonance technology, and in particular to a magnetic resonance coil device and a method for using the same. Background Art

[0003] In scientific research work on magnetic resonance imaging examinations of subjects such as mice, how to better optimize the quality of magnetic resonance imaging and enable the subjects to maintain their physiological state (such as body temperature and metabolic state) in the natural environment as much as possible during the examination process, thereby reducing damage to the subjects, is an issue that technical personnel in this field always pay attention to.

[0004] The magnetic resonance coil device may cooperate with other equipment (eg, a magnetic resonance main magnet, etc.) to perform magnetic resonance imaging examination on the subject.

[0005] When the subject is subjected to magnetic resonance imaging, there is a large amount of air at the surface boundary of the subject, which makes the magnetic susceptibility difference between the air and the subject interface in this area large, and it is easy to have obvious magnetic susceptibility artifacts, resulting in obvious blurring and deformation of the constructed magnetic resonance image at the surface boundary of the subject. If the subject is a small animal such as a mouse, the aforementioned magnetic susceptibility artifacts will occupy a large area in the magnetic resonance image of the subject, which significantly affects the accurate study of the subject. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of this, the present application provides a magnetic resonance coil device and a method of using the same, and a liquid container for magnetic resonance scanning imaging.

[0007] In a first aspect, a magnetic resonance coil device is provided, comprising:

[0008] A liquid containing space, used for containing liquid and having an opening facing upward;

[0009] A carrier, comprising a main body and a holder detachably mounted to the main body, wherein the holder is configured to be inserted downwardly into the liquid containing space through the opening after a subject to be examined, which is an animal, is fixed to the holder, wherein the holder has an outer portion extending from the opening and located above the outside of the liquid containing space, the outer portion being connected to the main body via a fastener to achieve the mounting of the holder and the main body, and the examined part of the subject to be examined is immersed in the liquid;

[0010] The radio frequency coil is arranged outside the liquid containing space and is used for receiving the magnetic resonance signal from the examined part.

[0011] In some possible implementations, at least one of the radio frequency coils is a toroidal coil surrounding the liquid containing space.

[0012] In some possible implementations, a plurality of the radio frequency coils are arranged around the liquid containing space, and at least one of the radio frequency coils is opposite to the examined site.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the subject is a mouse, and the subject is supported on the fixture with its head facing upward and its tail facing downward.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the main body portion defines a cavity extending through the main body portion in an up-down direction, and the radio frequency coil is mounted on the main body portion and located at an outer peripheral side of the cavity.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the mounting position of the fixture on the main body portion is adjustable in the up and down directions, thereby adjusting the immersion depth of the object under examination relative to the liquid.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the following further includes:

[0017] The scale line is used to indicate the relative position of the fixture with respect to the main body in the up-down direction.

[0018] In some possible implementations, one of the cavity wall of the liquid containing space and the fixture has a guide groove extending in the up-down direction, and the other has a guide rib extending in the up-down direction;

[0019] Based on the sliding engagement between the guide rib and the guide groove, the fixture is guided to be inserted downward into the liquid containing space.

[0020] In a second aspect, a method for using the magnetic resonance coil device according to the first aspect is provided, the method comprising:

[0021] Filling the liquid in the liquid containing space;

[0022] The subject to be examined is fixed on the holder, and then the holder is inserted downwardly into the liquid containing space through the opening so that the examined part of the subject to be examined is immersed in the liquid, and the holder has an outer part extending from the opening and located above the outer part of the liquid containing space;

[0023] Using fasteners to connect the outer portion to the main body portion to achieve the installation of the fixture and the main body portion;

[0024] receiving a magnetic resonance signal from the examined part by using the radio frequency coil;

[0025] A magnetic resonance image is obtained based on the magnetic resonance signals.

[0026] According to the magnetic resonance coil device provided in the present application, the examined part of the subject can be placed in a liquid environment rather than an air environment for magnetic resonance imaging scanning, which helps to suppress magnetic susceptibility artifacts at the boundary position of the examined part, improve the quality of the magnetic resonance image, and further help to accurately analyze and study the examined part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] 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.

[0028] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a magnetic resonance coil device in use according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Front view of .

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side view of.

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure when the subject and the radio frequency coil are shown in perspective.

[0032] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure after the fixator is removed.

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the carrier.

[0034] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the fixator in.

[0035] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the fixator in.

[0036] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid container.

[0037] Fig.10 This is a flow chart of a method for using a magnetic resonance coil device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid container provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Description of reference numerals:

[0040] AA-examination object, P1-examination site;

[0041] DR - up and down direction;

[0042] 1- carrier;

[0043] 2, 4-Liquid container;

[0044] 2a, 12a-liquid containing space;

[0045] 2b, 12b-opening;

[0046] 2c-lip;

[0047] 2d-guide groove;

[0048] 3-RF coil;

[0049] 5-main body, 5a-seat plate, 5b-extending portion, 5c-cavity, 5d-threaded hole, 5f-anti-rotation portion;

[0050] 5e, 12c-coil installation space;

[0051] 6-fixator;

[0052] 7-carrying plate, 7a-accommodating groove, 7b-elongated hole, 7c-scale line, 7d-guiding rib;

[0053] 8-ear sticks;

[0054] 9-Anesthesia mask;

[0055] 10-bolt;

[0056] 12-Container shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] 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.

[0058] In the description 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, an object defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the objects, and, for example, the term "first element" itself does not mean the existence of the "second element", and the term "second element" itself does not mean the existence of the "first element". In addition, "one" or "a" and similar words do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one, and "multiple" means not less than two.

[0059] In the description of the present application, if the term "configured to" is present, it can generally be interchanged with "having the ability to", "designed to", "for" or "able to", depending on the context.

[0060] Figures 1 to 9 A magnetic resonance coil device (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the device) provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, which mainly includes a carrier 1, a radio frequency coil 3 and a liquid container 2.

[0061] The carrier 1 is used to carry the subject AA, which may be a small animal such as a mouse, etc. Moreover, the carrier 1 can keep the body of the subject AA in a desired posture to perform a high-quality magnetic resonance imaging scan on the subject AA.

[0062] The liquid container 2 is detachably mounted to the carrier 1, and the liquid container 2 defines a liquid containing space 2a for containing liquid. The liquid contained in the liquid containing space 2a of the liquid container 2 may be warm pure water, or warm sodium alginate solution or other liquid. In the use state, the subject AA is carried on the carrier 1, the liquid container 2 containing the corresponding liquid is mounted on the carrier 1, and the inspected part P1 of the subject AA is immersed in the liquid.

[0063] The RF coil 3 is arranged outside the liquid containing space 2a, and is used to receive magnetic resonance signals from the subject AA, especially the aforementioned examined part P1, so as to obtain a magnetic resonance image of the subject AA, especially the aforementioned examined part P1.

[0064] Through such a design, the aforementioned examination part P1 of the examination object AA will be subjected to magnetic resonance imaging scanning in a liquid environment (such as a pure water environment) rather than an air environment, which helps to suppress the magnetic susceptibility artifacts at the boundary position of the examination part P1 (that is, the body surface position of the examination part P1), improve the quality of the magnetic resonance image, and further help to accurately analyze and study the examination part P1.

[0065] In addition, in some scenarios, the subject AA is in the aforementioned liquid environment while undergoing an MRI scan, which can also help maintain the water balance and physiological metabolism in the body of the subject AA, and the gentle liquid can help the subject AA maintain a normal body temperature, making the physiological state of the subject AA during the examination process closer to a natural state, thereby helping to obtain examination results that are more in line with the actual situation of the subject AA.

[0066] When the device is configured to be used for magnetic resonance imaging scanning research of mice, the size of the liquid container 2 can be designed to be slightly larger than the body size of common rats. In this way, on the one hand, the device can be adapted to various sizes of test mice, and on the other hand, when the device is used to perform magnetic resonance imaging scanning on test mice of various sizes, the distance between the radio frequency coil 3 and the test mouse is not too large, so as to improve the radio frequency coil 3's ability to receive magnetic resonance signals.

[0067] In other embodiments, the liquid containing space 2a is directly defined by the carrier 1, thereby omitting a separately provided liquid container 2.

[0068] The number of the RF coils 3 can be set to be multiple, and the multiple RF coils 3 can be arranged around the liquid holding cavity, thereby forming a coil array around the outer circumference of the liquid holding space 2a. For example, in some embodiments, a total of 16 annular RF coils 3 are configured, and these 16 RF coils 3 are surrounded by a closed annular coil array on the outer circumference of the liquid holding space 2a; in other embodiments, a total of 8 annular RF coils 3 are configured, and these 8 RF coils 3 are arranged into two groups separated from each other, and the two groups of coils are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the liquid holding space 2a, and the 4 RF coils 3 in each group are arranged in an arc shape that bends along the boundary of the liquid holding space 2a. In addition, in the two examples of the 16 RF coils 3 and the 8 RF coils 3, it should be ensured that, when in use, at least one RF coil 3 (for example, all 16 RF coils 3 or all 8 RF coils 3) is opposite to the aforementioned examined part P1 of the subject AA, that is, the normal of the RF coil 3 points to or passes through the aforementioned examined part P1 of the subject AA, so that the RF coil 3 can better receive the magnetic resonance signal from the examined part P1.

[0069] In some embodiments, at least one RF coil 3 is designed as a helical coil surrounding the liquid containing space 2a. The helical coil has a stronger signal receiving capability than a surface coil, thus helping to improve the quality of the magnetic resonance imaging scan of the subject AA.

[0070] The liquid storage space 2a has an upward opening 2b, through which the test site P1 is immersed in the liquid. This design facilitates the immersion of the test object AA in the liquid and can well prevent the liquid from leaking from the opening 2b.

[0071] exist Figure 4 In the figure, the inspected object AA is a mouse, which is carried on a carrier 1 with its head facing upward and its tail facing downward, and the head of the mouse is a non-inspected part exposed above the liquid surface, and the inspected part P1 is included in the rest of the body except the head, such as the abdomen and / or tail of the mouse.

[0072] Because the subject AA is carried on the carrier 1 with its head facing upward and its tail facing downward, and the examined part P1 of the subject AA is immersed in the liquid in the liquid holding space 2a through the upward opening 2b, the examined part P1 can be easily covered by the liquid without worrying about liquid leakage, and the head of the subject AA, especially the mouth and nose of the head, can be easily exposed to the liquid to ensure the breathing of the subject AA.

[0073] The carrier 1 includes a main body 5 and a fixture 6. The main body 5 defines a cavity 5c extending through in the up-down direction DR, and the RF coil 3 is mounted on the main body 5 and is located on the outer peripheral side of the cavity 5c. The fixture 6 is used to fix and carry the subject AA, and is configured to be detachably mounted to the main body 5 by inserting into the cavity 5c after the subject AA is fixed to the fixture 6. In other words, when in use, the subject AA can be first fixed to the fixture 6, and then the fixture 6 carrying the subject AA can be installed to the main body 5 by inserting into the cavity 5c. In this way, the fixation work of the subject AA's body can be performed in a larger space outside the cavity 5c without being limited by the space of the cavity 5c, which simplifies the use of the device.

[0074] exist Figures 1 to 6 In the embodiment, the cavity 5c is a hole cavity that is closed in the circumferential direction around the up-down direction DR. In addition, the cavity 5c may also be a cavity that is not closed in the circumferential direction around the up-down direction DR, for example, a groove-shaped cavity with a semicircular cross section.

[0075] The main body 5 includes a seat plate 5a extending in the horizontal direction and a protruding portion 5b extending upward from the seat plate 5a. With the help of the seat plate 5a, the device can be stably placed on various tables to improve the position stability of the device when in use.

[0076] The cavity 5c is specifically defined by the extension 5b of the main body 5, and the main body 5 further defines a coil installation space 5e surrounding the cavity 5c on the entire circumference and separated from the cavity 5c. The RF coil 3 is installed in the coil installation space 5e and is arranged against the inner circumferential wall of the coil installation space 5e so as to be as close to the subject AA as possible.

[0077] The installation position of the holder 6 on the main body 5 can be adjusted along the up-down direction DR, and thereby the position of the subject AA relative to the RF coil 3 and the liquid containing space 2a can be adjusted, thereby changing the inspection site P1 of the subject AA and adjusting the depth of the subject AA immersed in the liquid. Accordingly, the device is also provided with a scale line 7c, which is used to indicate the relative position of the holder 6 relative to the main body 5 in the up-down direction DR, and thereby enables the operator to easily grasp the depth of the subject AA immersed in the liquid.

[0078] The holder 6 includes a supporting plate 7, an ear bar 8 and an anesthesia mask 9. The supporting plate 7 is formed into an elongated shape extending in the up-down direction DR, and the supporting plate 7 defines a receiving groove 7a for receiving the subject AA and extending in the up-down direction DR. The inner wall of the receiving groove 7a assists in limiting the movement of the subject by blocking the body of the subject AA. The ear bar 8 is mounted to the supporting plate 7 to fix the head of the subject AA in a manner of abutting against the ears of the subject AA in the left-right direction. The anesthesia mask 9 is mounted to the supporting plate 7 to cover the mouth and nose of the subject AA in a manner of abutting downward against the head of the subject AA, and therefore, the anesthesia mask 9 also has the function of fixing the head of the subject AA.

[0079] The upper half of the bearing plate 7 has an elongated hole 7b extending in the up-down direction DR at the bottom of the receiving groove 7a. Two bolts 10 are inserted into the elongated holes 7b and locked into the threaded holes 5d of the main body 5. The heads of the bolts 10 are pressed against the edges of the elongated holes 7b in the direction of the threaded holes 5d, thereby fixing the bearing plate 7 and further the fixture 6 to the main body 5. It can be understood that by adjusting the relative position of the elongated holes 7b and the bolts 10 in the up-down direction DR, the installation position of the fixture 6 relative to the main body 5 in the up-down direction DR is adjusted. In addition, the aforementioned scale line 7c is specifically set on the bearing plate 7, and by observing the scale at the position of the bolts 10, the installation height of the fixture 6 can be determined.

[0080] The outer contour of the liquid container 2 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and an opening 2b of the liquid containing space 2a is formed at the upper end of the liquid container 2, and the upper end of the liquid container 2 also has a lip 2c extending around the opening 2b. When assembled, the liquid container 2 is mounted to the main body 5 in a manner of being inserted downward into the cavity 5c, and at least a portion P1 of the weight of the liquid container 2 is supported on the top of the cavity 5c via the lip 2c.

[0081] The main body 5 has an anti-rotation portion 5f located below the cavity 5c, and the anti-rotation portion 5f is engaged with the lower end of the liquid container 2 to inhibit the liquid container 2 from rotating around its vertical axis. Specifically, the anti-rotation portion 5f includes a non-circular receiving groove facing the opening, and the lower end of the liquid container 2 is configured as a non-circular protrusion corresponding to the shape of the receiving groove, and the protrusion is inserted downward into the receiving groove.

[0082] In some embodiments, the bottom of the receiving trough (obviously, the bottom is defined by the support body, more specifically, the main body 5 of the support body) contacts the lower end of the liquid container 2, thereby allowing at least a portion P1 of the weight of the liquid container 2 to be supported by the bottom of the receiving trough.

[0083] The liquid container 2 has a guide groove 2d extending in the up-down direction DR at the cavity wall of the liquid holding space 2a, and the supporting plate 7 of the fixture 6 has a guide rib 7d extending in the up-down direction DR on the side away from the holding groove 7a. Based on the sliding engagement of the guide rib 7d and the guide groove 2d, the fixture 6 is guided to be inserted downward into the liquid holding space 2a, and the fixture 6 and the liquid container 2 are relatively fixed in the circumferential direction. In other embodiments, the guide groove 2d is formed on the fixture 6, and the guide rib 7d is formed on the liquid container 2.

[0084] When in use, the liquid container 2 can be installed to the main body 5 by inserting it downward into the cavity 5c, and the inner wall of the cavity 5c contacts the liquid container 2 in the circumferential direction, thereby limiting the movement of the liquid container 2 in the radial direction. Then, the guide rib 7d of the holder 6 carrying the object AA is aligned with the guide groove 2d of the liquid container 2, and the holder 6 is installed to the desired position by inserting it downward into the cavity 5c and the liquid containing space 2a under the cooperation of the guide rib 7d and the guide groove 2d, and then the holder 6 is fixed at the position by means of the bolt 10 inserted into the elongated hole 7b and locked into the threaded hole 5d.

[0085] In combination with the above description, an embodiment of the present application provides a liquid container 2 having the above structure, and the liquid container 2 is designed to be used to implement the above magnetic resonance coil device.

[0086] like Fig.10 As shown, the embodiment of the present application also provides a method for using the magnetic resonance coil device, including:

[0087] S101, liquid is filled in the liquid containing space 2a, and the object to be inspected AA is carried on the carrying body 1. The object to be inspected AA is a small animal such as a mouse, and the inspected part P1 of the object to be inspected AA is immersed in the liquid.

[0088] S102 , using the radio frequency coil 3 to receive magnetic resonance signals from the examined part P1 .

[0089] S103, obtaining a magnetic resonance image based on the magnetic resonance signal.

[0090] Next, see Fig.11 , Fig.11It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid container 4 provided in another embodiment of the present application, wherein the liquid container 4 includes a container shell 12 and a plurality of radio frequency coils 11. The container shell 12 defines a liquid containing space 12a having an opening 12b and a coil installation space 12c separated from the liquid containing space 12a. The liquid containing space 12a is configured to contain liquid, and to receive an animal subject to be examined through the opening 12b, and to immerse an examined part of the subject in the liquid. The radio frequency coil 11 is installed in the coil installation space 12c, and is used to receive a magnetic resonance signal from the subject to be examined. It can be seen that the liquid container 4 is equivalent to placing Figure 4 The liquid container 2 and the radio frequency coil 3 are integrated together so that the two constitute a component that cannot be separated from each other during normal use.

[0091] In addition, the coil installation space 12c is an annular space surrounding the liquid receiving space 12a. A plurality of RF coils 11 are installed in the annular space and arranged around the liquid receiving space 12a. In some embodiments, at least one RF coil 11 may be a solenoid coil surrounding the liquid receiving space 12a.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance coil device, characterized in that: include: A liquid containing space, used for containing liquid and having an opening facing upward; A carrier, comprising a main body and a holder detachably mounted to the main body, wherein the holder is configured to be inserted downwardly into the liquid containing space through the opening after a subject to be examined, which is an animal, is fixed to the holder, wherein the holder has an outer portion extending from the opening and located above the outside of the liquid containing space, the outer portion being connected to the main body via a fastener to achieve the mounting of the holder and the main body, and the examined part of the subject to be examined is immersed in the liquid; The radio frequency coil is arranged outside the liquid containing space and is used for receiving the magnetic resonance signal from the examined part.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one of the radio frequency coils is a toroidal coil surrounding the liquid receiving space.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that A plurality of the radio frequency coils are arranged around the liquid containing space, and at least one of the radio frequency coils is opposite to the examined site.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The subject to be examined is a mouse, and the subject to be examined is carried on the fixture in a posture with its head facing upward and its tail facing downward.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The main body portion defines a cavity extending therethrough in an up-down direction, and the radio frequency coil is mounted on the main body portion and is located at an outer peripheral side of the cavity.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The mounting position of the holder on the main body portion is adjustable in the up-down direction, thereby adjusting the immersion depth of the object under inspection relative to the liquid.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that Also includes: The scale line is used to indicate the relative position of the fixture with respect to the main body in the up-down direction.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that One of the cavity wall of the liquid containing space and the fixture has a guide groove extending in the up-down direction, and the other has a guide rib extending in the up-down direction; Based on the sliding engagement between the guide rib and the guide groove, the fixture is guided to be inserted downward into the liquid containing space.

9. A method for using the magnetic resonance coil device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method comprises: containing liquid in the liquid containing space; The subject to be examined is fixed on the holder, and then the holder is inserted downwardly into the liquid containing space through the opening so that the examined part of the subject to be examined is immersed in the liquid, and the holder has an outer part extending from the opening and located above the outer part of the liquid containing space; Using fasteners to connect the outer portion to the main body portion to achieve the installation of the fixture and the main body portion; receiving a magnetic resonance signal from the examined part by using the radio frequency coil; A magnetic resonance image is obtained based on the magnetic resonance signals.

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