Magnetic resonance examination apparatus, magnetic resonance apparatus, local coil, coil connection element and apparatus connection element

Abstract

The utility model relates to a coil connecting element for a local coil of magnetic resonance equipment. The coil connection element is designed to be connected to a connection cable of the local coil and to be mechanically and detachably connected to the device connection element in order to establish an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil to the magnetic resonance device. The coil connection element has at least two first contact elements for electrical contact with at least two respective second contact elements of a respective device connection element, and the coil connection element has a connection part for optical connection with at least one light-based communication line of the connection cable. The utility model also relates to a corresponding local coil, a corresponding magnetic resonance device, a corresponding device connecting element and a corresponding magnetic resonance examination device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a coil connection element for a local coil. The utility model also relates to a local coil for a magnetic resonance device. In addition, the utility model relates to a device connection element for a magnetic resonance device. In addition, the utility model relates to a magnetic resonance device for performing an examination on an object. Finally, the utility model relates to a magnetic resonance examination device having a magnetic resonance device and a local coil. Background Art

[0002] Magnetic resonance examination apparatuses, magnetic resonance devices, local coils for magnetic resonance devices, and coil connection elements and device connection elements are widely known in the prior art, so that in principle no separate document is required. An apparatus of the type described in the utility model is used to perform an examination on an object in order to at least partially determine the structure of the object. Such examinations are usually used in material testing, but are also used in the field of diagnostic establishment in the case of biological materials, organisms or the like. Thus, the object can be, for example, an object as a result of an industrial manufacturing process, but can also be a decomposition product from mining, an organism or the like.

[0003] In medical technology, imaging by magnetic resonance (MR), also known as magnetic resonance tomography (MRT, English: magnetic resonance imagining, abbreviation: MRI), is distinguished by a high contrast, especially in the case of soft tissue. In order to perform the examination, a magnetic field pulse is generated by a magnetic field source and applied to the object. The magnetic field can have a magnetic flux density in the range of several terahertz. Due to the interaction of the object and the magnetic field at the atomic level, so-called MR signals can be triggered in the object, in particular by first orienting the proton spins, wherein the MR signal is generated due to the action of the high-frequency magnetic pulse. The MR signal can be detected by a local coil and analyzed by an analysis unit of the magnetic resonance device, which is preferably arranged in the examination area of ​​the object, for example, on the surface of the object. The analysis unit can be a component of the magnetic resonance device or can be connected to the magnetic resonance device and / or the local coil as a separate unit. For example, an imaging related to the structure of the object can be provided as an analysis result.

[0004] The signal level of the MR signal is usually very low compared to the level of the magnetic field pulses. A good signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved by arranging the local coil close to the object, in particular in the examination region.

[0005] The local coil may have one or more receiving coils, which are preferably each suitable for receiving the corresponding MR signals. The local coil is usually connected to the magnetic resonance device via a connecting cable or a connecting cable, so that a signal and / or communication connection can be established between the local coil and the magnetic resonance device. The local coil is usually designed as a replaceable component and can be detachably connected to the magnetic resonance device. This makes it possible to achieve adaptation to the corresponding examination in a simple manner. In addition, data can be transmitted from the local coil to the magnetic resonance device, through which data, for example, the local coil can be identified.

[0006] In the prior art, a detachable plug connection is usually provided for connecting a local coil and a magnetic resonance device. In this case, the communication or transmission of signals is carried out by wire via corresponding electrical lines, which can be detachably connected to each other electrically at the connection point. These electrical lines are used in particular as communication lines, signal lines or the like.

[0007] Even though the system has proven to be feasible, it has been shown that communication connections in the prior art, in particular with respect to digital data, can only achieve relatively low data rates or signal speeds. In particular, currently used communication standards, such as I2C or similar standards, can only achieve relatively low data rates.

[0008] In order to improve this, it has been proposed to convert wired communication from electrical communication to optical or light-based communication, as disclosed, for example, in patent document DE 10 2021 210 156 A1. Although this teaching allows for higher communication speeds or data rates, it has been shown to be disadvantageous that the reliability of the connection is easily disturbed, especially in the case of frequent replacement of local coils. In particular, in the case of intended use, the optical contact surfaces required in the connection area may be contaminated or damaged by dust, cleaning agents, body fluids and / or the like, so that the communication connection may be significantly disturbed or may be interrupted. Improvements can be achieved by corresponding lens arrangements in the connection area, but here too, contamination problems have proven to be an obstacle.

[0009] It should also be taken into account that a large number of local coils based on wired electrical communication are already used in the prior art. Therefore, a switch to optical communication would incur significant costs and would also hinder flexibility in the use of local coils, in particular in hybrid operation. Utility Model Content

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to achieve an improved communication or an improved signal connection between a local coil and a magnetic resonance system, wherein the use of local coils and / or magnetic resonance systems according to the prior art should be ensured to a large extent.

[0011] As a solution, the utility model proposes a coil connection element for a local coil, the local coil being used as a local coil of a magnetic resonance device for performing an examination on an object, wherein the coil connection element is designed to be connected to a connection cable of the local coil and to be mechanically detachably connected to a device connection element, so that in the intended or prescribed operation, during the connection of the coil connection element to the device connection element, an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil to the magnetic resonance device is established, wherein the coil connection element has at least two first contact elements for electrically contacting at least two corresponding second contact elements of the device connection element, wherein the first contact elements can be electrically connected to corresponding electrical lines of the connection cable. In terms of the coil connection element, the utility model particularly proposes that the coil connection element has a terminal part for optically connecting to at least one optically based communication line of the connection cable.

[0012] As a solution, the present invention also proposes a local coil for a magnetic resonance system for performing an examination on an object, the local coil having a portable coil device, a connecting cable and a coil connecting element, the coil connecting element being designed to be connected to the connecting cable and to be mechanically detachably connected to a device connecting element of the magnetic resonance system, so that during proper operation, while the coil connecting element is connected to the device connecting element, an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil to the magnetic resonance system is established. In the case of a local coil of the type described in the present invention, the present invention particularly proposes that the coil connecting element is designed according to the present invention.

[0013] As a solution, the present invention also proposes a device connection element for a magnetic resonance system that uses a local coil to perform an examination on an object, the local coil having a coil connection element, wherein the device connection element is designed to be mechanically detachably connected to the coil connection element so that during the specified operation, while the coil connection element is connected to the device connection element, an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil to the magnetic resonance system is established. With respect to a device connection element of the type described in the present invention, the present invention particularly proposes that the device connection element has a second electro-optical transducer unit for optically connecting to at least one optically based communication line of the magnetic resonance system.

[0014] As a solution, the present invention also proposes a magnetic resonance device for performing an examination on an object, which has a magnetic field source for applying a predeterminable magnetic field to the object, an evaluation unit and a connection unit coupled to the evaluation unit in terms of signals and / or communication technology, the connection unit being used for detachable connection of a local coil, wherein the connection unit has a device connection element for connection to a coil connection element of the local coil, wherein the device connection element is designed to be mechanically detachably connected to the coil connection element, so that in a specified operation, while the coil connection element is connected to the device connection element, an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil to the magnetic resonance device is established. In a magnetic resonance device of the type described in the present invention, the present invention particularly proposes that the device connection element is designed according to the present invention.

[0015] As a solution, the present invention also proposes a magnetic resonance examination apparatus having a magnetic resonance system and a local coil. In a magnetic resonance examination apparatus of the type described in the present invention, the present invention particularly proposes that at least the local coil or the magnetic resonance system is designed according to the present invention.

[0016] Advantageous further developments result from the description.

[0017] The invention is essentially based on the idea that a communication connection or a signal connection from a corresponding connecting element to a local coil or to a magnetic resonance system can be realized optically or based on light, thereby avoiding the disadvantageous low data transmission rate or signal speed in the prior art and correspondingly increasing the data rate or signal speed.

[0018] At the same time, other disadvantages associated with the optical connection element that occur in the prior art can be avoided to a large extent, because the connection between the device connection element and the coil connection element does not need to be realized optically. Instead, the connection can be realized, for example, electrically through a contact element and / or can also be realized through a suitable field, such as a magnetic field and / or an electric field, which can realize the coupling of the device connection element and the coil connection element in the connected state. Therefore, an optical or optical connection is not arranged in the connection area of ​​the device connection element and the coil connection element. This can avoid interference caused by contamination or similar reasons that occur in the case of an optical or optical connection in this area. Therefore, the utility model particularly utilizes a combination of an optical or optical connection between a magnetic resonance device and a device connection element, between a local coil and a coil connection element, and a non-optical or non-optical connection in the connection area.

[0019] The device connection element and / or the coil connection element can be designed as a plug or a socket, respectively. Other structural designs that can realize the detachable plug connection of these two elements are also feasible. It can be particularly advantageous to provide that the existing structural design in the prior art continues to be used for the coil connection element or the device connection element. As a result, the already standardized connection technology can continue to be used, so that the local coil according to the utility model can also be combined with the magnetic resonance device in the prior art, and vice versa, that is, the magnetic resonance device according to the utility model can also be combined with the local coil in the prior art. Therefore, the utility model proves to be upwardly compatible.

[0020] The coil connection element and / or the device connection element can each have its own housing, wherein the housing is designed to be adapted for detachable mutual connection. However, these housings can also be at least partially surrounded by the respective housings of the local coil or the magnetic resonance device. The additional unit or element according to the utility model can be arranged in the corresponding housing in a supplementary manner, so that the utility model can be realized with less expenditure.

[0021] The local coil is provided for a magnetic resonance device for performing an examination on an object. The local coil is preferably designed to be portable. The local coil has a coil device or an antenna device, which can have one or more receiving coils or receiving antennas. A connecting cable is connected to the coil device, which can also have an electrical communication line in addition to an optical communication line. This is particularly advantageous when upward compatibility is to be achieved. The local coil preferably also has a sensor device, which has one or more sensors for acquiring (or detecting) parameters and / or measurement variables. For example, temperature, acceleration, especially three-dimensional acceleration, magnetic flux density, especially three-dimensional magnetic flux density and / or similar data can be acquired by the sensor device. The sensor device can provide analog signals and / or digital signals according to the respectively acquired measurement variables or parameters.

[0022] The local coil may also have one or more sensor units, which amplify the received MR signals, convert them into digital signals and / or perform similar operations. In addition, the local coil may have a storage unit, in which data can be at least partially buffered, for example. In addition, the storage unit may also have coil-specific data, such as identification data, coil parameters and / or similar data, which are stored there in a manner that can be queried by the magnetic resonance device. The connecting cable is connected to the coil connection element, preferably fixedly connected. The coil connection element is designed to be mechanically detachably connected to the device connection element of the magnetic resonance device, so that in the specified operation, during the period when the coil connection element is connected to the device connection element, an at least partially wired connection between the local coil and the magnetic resonance device is established in terms of signal and / or communication technology.

[0023] In order to achieve upward compatibility, the coil connecting element has at least two first contact elements for electrically contacting at least two corresponding second contact elements of the device connecting element. Preferably, exactly two contact elements are provided in each case. However, in an alternative design, it can be provided that three contact elements, four contact elements or more contact elements are also provided.

[0024] The first contact element can be electrically connected or is electrically connected to a corresponding electrical line of the connecting cable. If the coil connecting element is fixedly connected to the connecting cable, the corresponding electrical line is fixedly electrically connected to the first contact element.

[0025] The coil connection element also has a wiring component for optically connecting to at least one optical communication line of the connecting cable. The optical communication line can, for example, have one or more optical waveguides. Thus, a communication connection can also be established between the coil connection element and the optical communication line of the connecting cable. The wiring component enables a reliable and essentially permanent connection to be established. The connection can be designed as a non-detachable connection. The wiring component can also be supplemented by providing corresponding signal processing so that coupling with the device connection element can be achieved in the connection area using contact elements, fields, such as magnetic fields and electric fields.

[0026] It is further proposed that the terminal block has a first electro-optical transducer unit for coupling a light-based communication line, which is electrically connected to the at least two first contact elements. In this way, it is possible to use an electrically disconnectable connection in the connection area of ​​the coil connection element and the device connection element in order to achieve communication with a high data rate or speed. Preferably, contact elements already available in the prior art can be used for this purpose. Therefore, the housing design can basically correspond to the housing design common in the prior art at least in the connection area.

[0027] It is further proposed that the coil connection element has a first assembly unit which is connected to the at least two first contact elements and to the first electro-optical transducer unit and can be electrically connected to the electrical line. The assembly unit thus enables the first contact elements to be used not only according to the prior art but also simultaneously for communication via an optical communication line. In other words, the first contact elements can be used in a dual manner.

[0028] In order to further improve the dual use, it can be provided that the first combination unit has a filter unit, through which the electric line can be connected. Through the filter unit, it can be achieved that the communication carried out through the electric line and the communication carried out through the optical communication line can be separated in the spectrum. For this reason, the combination unit can, for example, provide that the frequency range separated from the communication based on the electric line is used for the communication based on the optical communication line. In this case, different communication paths can be separated in an easy way through the filter unit. For this reason, it can also be provided that at least appropriate coding, such as Manchester coding or similar coding, is set for the communication based on the light. But alternatively or supplementarily, corresponding appropriate coding can also be set for the communication through the electric line.

[0029] It is further proposed that the first combination unit has a detector unit for detecting communication on the electrical line. When communication on the electrical line is detected, the detector unit can emit a detection signal that can be analyzed in order to control, in particular interrupt, enable communication on the optical communication line, and / or conversely, when communication on the optical communication line is detected, the detector unit can emit a detection signal that can be analyzed in order to control, in particular interrupt, enable communication on the electrical line. Thus, the first contact element can be used, for example, in time division multiplexing.

[0030] According to an extended design, it is also suggested that the wiring component has an inductive coupling unit for inductively coupling the corresponding inductive coupling unit of the device connection element. This allows a separate communication connection to be realized relative to the contact element, which can simultaneously provide high reliability when the coil connection element is mechanically connected to the device connection element. For this purpose, an inductive communication line can be connected to the first electro-optical transducer unit. Therefore, communication via an electrical line can be omitted. Therefore, if the contact element is not desired for reasons of upward compatibility, the coil connection element in principle no longer needs to have a contact element. This also applies to the electrical line of the connecting cable.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, it is also proposed that the connection element has a capacitive coupling unit for capacitively coupling a corresponding capacitive coupling unit of the device connection element. In this way, the use of the electric field can be used for the communication connection in a dual manner (as explained above with regard to the inductive coupling). The capacitive communication line can also be connected to the first electro-optical transducer unit in order to be able to realize the coupling function.

[0032] In terms of the device connection element, it can be provided that the device connection element is also connected to the magnetic resonance device via its own wiring cable. However, it can also be provided that the device connection element is designed to be at least partially integrated in the housing of the magnetic resonance device, for example. The device connection element is designed to be mechanically detachably connected to the coil connection element so as to establish at least partially wired signal and / or communication technology coupling between the local coil and the magnetic resonance device during the operation as specified, during the period when the coil connection element is connected to the device connection element. For this purpose, the device connection element has a second electro-optical transducer unit for optically connecting to at least one optically-based communication line of the magnetic resonance device. In the same dual manner as the coil connection element, the conversion between optically-based signals or optically-based communications and electrical signals or electrical communications can be achieved through the electro-optical transducer unit. Therefore, the device connection element is particularly suitable for being connected to the coil connection element according to the utility model, so that fast communication between the local coil and the magnetic resonance device can be achieved.

[0033] According to an extended design proposal, the device connection element has an inductive coupling unit for inductively coupling the corresponding inductive coupling unit of the coil connection element. The inductive coupling unit is here (preferably also like the inductive coupling unit of the coil connection element) connected to the second electro-optical transducer unit. For the function, please refer to the above explanation about the coil connection element.

[0034] According to an extended design proposal, the device connection element has a capacitive coupling unit for capacitively coupling the corresponding capacitive coupling unit of the coil connection element. Here, the capacitive communication line is also preferably connected to the second electro-optical transducer unit, as is correspondingly proposed in the case of the coil connection element. Therefore, in the connected state, capacitive coupling of the coil connection element and the device connection element can be achieved. In this way, a reliable, permanent and interference-resistant communication connection can also be achieved. For other functions, please refer to the above explanation on the coil connection element.

[0035] According to an extended design proposal, the device connection element has at least two second contact elements for electrically contacting at least two corresponding first contact elements of the coil connection element, wherein the second contact elements can be electrically connected to the magnetic resonance device. Preferably, it is provided that the second contact elements are electrically connected via corresponding electrical lines of the magnetic resonance device. This makes it possible to achieve that the device connection element can also be used to connect local coils in the prior art that cannot achieve optical communication. This also enables upward compatibility.

[0036] It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the second electro-optical transducer unit is electrically connected to the at least two second contact elements, which are used to make electrical contact with at least two corresponding first contact elements of the coil connection element. Thus, the contact elements can also be provided here for dual use, as has already been explained with respect to the first contact elements of the coil connection element. Please refer to the relevant description for additional information.

[0037] According to an extended design proposal, the device connection element has a second assembly unit, which is connected to the at least two second contact elements and to the second electro-optical transducer unit and can be electrically connected to the magnetic resonance device. The second assembly unit can be designed similarly to the first assembly unit of the coil connection element in principle. The second assembly unit can advantageously have the same function as the first assembly unit. It is thus possible to ensure or realize the dual use of the contact element in the two connection elements in the connected state of the device connection element and the coil connection element.

[0038] According to an improved design, the second combination unit has a filter unit, via which the second contact element can be electrically connected to the magnetic resonance system. As already explained with respect to the filter unit of the coil connection element, this improved design makes it possible to separate the communication via electrical lines from the communication via optical communication lines in the spectrum. Please refer to the corresponding description above.

[0039] It is further proposed that the second combined unit has a detector unit for detecting the communication with at least two second contact elements via the electrical connection of the magnetic resonance device. The detector unit can in principle be designed in the same manner as the detector unit of the coil connection element already described above. In this case, it is also possible to realize a dual use of the contact elements in time division multiplexing by means of the detector unit, more precisely to realize this dual use based on the detected communication. For other functions, please refer to the above description of the coil connection element.

[0040] The magnetic resonance examination device can be, for example, an MRT or similar device. In addition to a magnetic resonance device, the magnetic resonance examination device can of course also include multiple magnetic resonance devices. However, usually only a single magnetic resonance device is provided for cost reasons. However, the magnetic resonance examination device includes at least one local coil. However, usually multiple local coils are provided. The local coil can be designed to be adapted to the type of examination. In addition, the local coil can also be designed to be adapted to the object to be examined. The local coil can be detachably connected to the magnetic resonance device through a device connecting element and a coil connecting element.

[0041] Through the utility model, not only wired communication can be realized in the connection area, but also communication using fields, such as magnetic fields, electric fields or similar fields can be realized alternatively or supplementarily. Through the communication alternatives in the connection area proposed by the utility model, light-based communication can be realized up to the connection area, for example, using light guides or the like to realize the communication, so that high signal speeds or data rates can be achieved. By applying one of the aforementioned coupling technologies, high signal speeds can be achieved locally in the connection area. Therefore, the disadvantages that occur in the prior art can be almost completely overcome.

[0042] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the specification and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown separately in the drawings can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other different combinations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. The features, feature combinations given above in the specification and the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the embodiments and / or shown separately in the drawings can be used not only in the combinations given separately, but also in other different combinations. Therefore, embodiments that are not explicitly shown and described in the drawings but can be derived and generated from the described embodiments by separate feature combinations are also included in the present invention or should be considered to be disclosed. The features, functions and / or effects described in the embodiments can represent the individual features, functions and / or effects of the present invention that can be viewed independently of each other, and these features, functions and / or effects also form the expanded design of the present invention independently of each other. Therefore, these embodiments should also include combinations different from the described embodiments. In addition, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features, functions and / or effects that have been described in the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same features or functions.

[0045] In the attached picture:

[0046] Figure 1 A magnetic resonance examination apparatus is shown, which has a magnetic resonance device and an MR local coil connected to the magnetic resonance device, the MR local coil being arranged on a patient in order to perform an examination on the patient;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a device for connecting a local coil to a magnetic resonance system is shown, wherein wired communication via a cable is provided;

[0048] Figure 3 Show according to Figure 2A schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a connection area of ​​, in which a light-based communication connection is provided as the only communication connection;

[0049] Figure 4 Show according to Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second design of a connection region of , wherein an inductive coupling device is arranged in the connection region, wherein the connection regions are connected via a light-based communication line;

[0050] Figure 5 Show according to Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a third design of a connection region of , wherein communication with Figure 4 This is achieved differently through contact elements;

[0051] Figure 6 Show according to Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a fourth design of the connection region of Figure 5 Compared to the design of , a filter unit is additionally or alternatively provided in the connection area;

[0052] Figure 7 Show according to Figure 6 A schematic circuit diagram of the design scheme;

[0053] Figure 8 Shown is used to indicate that Figure 7 a schematic diagram of the filtering function of the filter unit; and

[0054] Fig. 9 Show according to Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the transmission range of wired communication. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Figure 1 The sectional view of a part of a magnetic resonance examination apparatus 10 is shown, which has a magnetic resonance device 14 and a local coil 16. In the present example, the magnetic resonance examination apparatus 10 is used as an imaging method for carrying out a medical examination on a patient 12.

[0056] The magnetic resonance device 14 has a main magnet 18 for generating a strong, in particular temporally constant, main magnetic field in a direction 20. The magnetic resonance device 14 also has a patient receiving area 22, which in the present example is provided as a channel and is used to receive the patient 12. In the present example, the patient receiving area 22 is designed essentially cylindrically and is surrounded in the circumferential direction by the main magnet 18. In principle, however, the patient receiving area 22 can also be designed differently therefrom.

[0057] The magnetic resonance system 14 also has a patient support 24 which enables the patient 12 to be moved into the patient receiving area 22 . For this purpose, the patient support 24 has a patient table 26 which is arranged to be movable at least partially within the patient receiving area 22 .

[0058] The magnetic resonance system 14 also has a gradient coil unit 28, by which magnetic field gradients can be generated, which can be used for position encoding during an imaging examination. In the present example, the gradient coil unit 28 is controlled by a gradient control unit 32 of the magnetic resonance system 14. The main magnet 18 and the gradient coil unit 28 form a magnetic field source.

[0059] The magnetic resonance device 14 also has a high-frequency antenna unit 34, which in the present design is designed as a body coil and is fixedly integrated into the magnetic resonance device 14. The high-frequency antenna unit 34 is controlled by a high-frequency antenna control unit 36 ​​of the magnetic resonance device 14. In this way, a high-frequency magnetic resonance sequence can be generated in the examination area 30. In the prescribed operation of the magnetic resonance device 14, it is possible to excite the nuclei at the patient 12 in the examination area 30. MR signals are generated by the relaxation of the excited nuclei. MR signals can be received by the high-frequency antenna unit 34.

[0060] In order to control the components of the magnetic resonance system 14, the magnetic resonance system 14 has a control unit 38. The control unit 38 centrally controls the magnetic resonance examination device 10, for example with regard to the execution of a predetermined examination, in particular the execution of a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence, on the patient 12. In addition, the control unit 38 has an analysis unit (not shown in detail) by which received MR signals acquired during the examination can be analyzed.

[0061] The magnetic resonance device 14 also has a user interface 40, which is connected to the control unit 38 in communication technology. The user interface 40 has a display unit 42 and an input unit 44, which are respectively connected to the control unit 38 in communication technology. Data and information, analysis results, such as imaging results, parameters related to the analysis and / or similar data can be visually displayed via the display unit 42. The display unit 42 can have a monitor or similar device, for example. Through the user interface 40, the user of the magnetic resonance device 14 and the magnetic resonance examination device 10 can input data, such as parameters for performing an examination, control data, information and / or similar data to the control unit 38.

[0062] from Figure 11 shows that a local coil 16 is arranged on the patient 12 in the examination region 30. In the present example, the local coil 16 is arranged on the surface of the patient 12 in the examination region 30. The local coil 16 has a connection cable 46, which is connected to a connection cable 54 of the magnetic resonance device 14 in terms of communication technology and / or signal technology in a connection region 52. For this purpose, a coil connection element 48 is provided in the connection region 52, which in the present example is fixedly connected to the connection cable 46. In the present example, the coil connection element 48 is designed as a plug.

[0063] In the connection area 52, a device connection element 50 is also provided, which is fixedly connected to the connection cable 54 in this example. The coil connection element 48 and the device connection element 50 can realize a detachable connection between the local coil 16 and the magnetic resonance device 14 in the connection area 52. In this way, the corresponding local coil 16 can be coupled to the corresponding magnetic resonance device 14. The device connection element 50 can be designed as a socket. In this example, the connection area 52 is a standardized connection area, so that the connection of any local coil 16 to any magnetic resonance device 14 can be realized based on this standard. In this example, the coil connection element 48 and the device connection element 50 both have a shielding device 58.

[0064] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, only a single connection unit 52 is provided for connecting a single local coil 16. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that a plurality of connection units 52 are provided, which allow more than one single local coil to be connected. It can also be provided that the device connection element 50 can be arranged at any suitable position of the patient table 26. It can also be provided that more than one single device connection element 50 is provided, wherein preferably a plurality of device connection elements 50 can be arranged, in particular, at different positions of the patient table 26. The high-frequency antenna unit 34 can be designed to be adapted accordingly as required.

[0065] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 Detailed description of the schematic block diagram of a part of the magnetic resonance examination apparatus 10. Figure 2 1 shows a schematic structure resulting when a single local coil 16 is connected to the magnetic resonance system 14. In the case of a different number of local coils 16, in particular when more than one single system connection element 50 and / or a plurality of local coils 16 are provided, the technician can easily adjust the local coil 16 according to the number of local coils 16. Figure 2 Since the corresponding adjustments are easily apparent to the skilled person, no further details are given here on this point.

[0066] As from Figure 2As can be seen in the figure, the local coil 16 has an antenna arrangement, which can include, for example, one or more coil arrangements. The antenna arrangement is used to acquire MR signals that occur during proper operation within the scope of an examination of the patient 12. These MR signals can be transmitted, for example, directly or in digitally coded form from the local coil 16 via a connecting cable 46 to a connection region 52, from which the signals or data reach the high-frequency antenna unit 34 via a connecting cable 54. Antenna arrangements are known to a person skilled in the art and are therefore not shown separately in the figure.

[0067] The local coil 16 also has a sensor device 60, which has a plurality of sensors (not shown separately). These sensors are used to detect the temperature in the region of the local coil 16 and to detect the magnetic flux density in the region of the local coil 16 and the acceleration of the local coil 16. The sensors provide corresponding electrical sensor signals as a function of the respectively detected variables, which are transmitted digitally to the magnetic resonance system 14 in this example. In this example, the sensor device 60 also has a shielding device 58.

[0068] Based on the acquired MR signals, the high-frequency antenna unit 34 supplies corresponding reception signals, which are preprocessed or pre-analyzed by a high-frequency antenna control unit 36. The data determined in this way are then supplied to a control unit 38 for further analysis.

[0069] According to the following Figures 3 to 6 Different coupling methods in the connection region 52 are shown for achieving high signal speeds or high data rates.

[0070] In order to achieve the highest possible data rate, the connecting cable 46 and the connecting cable 54 have Figure 2 The light guide 62 is not shown in the figure. The light guide 62 is used for light-based communication.

[0071] In alternative embodiments of the magnetic resonance device 14 , the connecting cable 54 can also be omitted if, for example, the device connecting element 50 is arranged directly on a housing or a housing element of the magnetic resonance device 14 or is designed to be integrated therein. However, the functionality of the present invention is not dependent on this.

[0072] from Figure 3As can be seen in FIG, the light guide 62 of the connecting cable 46 leads to the lens device 56 of the coil connecting element 48. Correspondingly, the light guide 62 of the connecting cable 64 leads to the lens device 56 of the device connecting element 50. In the connected state, a channel 64 is formed between the two lens devices 56 of the coil connecting element 48 and the device connecting element 50, through which light can pass between these lens devices 56. Thus, an optical connection or an optical connection can be established in the connection area 52, that is, when the coil connecting element 48 is connected to the device connecting element 50.

[0073] Even though this communication connection performs well with regard to high data rates and high signal speeds, it has proven disadvantageous in intended use that the lens arrangement 56 can become contaminated or damaged. This can impair the communication when the coil connection element 48 is connected to the device connection element 50. This can even lead to significant interference with the communication.

[0074] It has also proven to be disadvantageous that in this embodiment, these specially designed connecting elements 48, 50 are required for both the local coil 16 and the magnetic resonance system 14. However, a correspondingly designed local coil 16 cannot be coupled to a magnetic resonance system 14 of the prior art, and vice versa, a correspondingly designed magnetic resonance system 14 cannot be coupled to a local coil 16 of the prior art. Therefore, this embodiment is not downwardly compatible. In order to improve this, it can be provided that additional electrical lines and contact elements are provided.

[0075] By following Figures 4 to 6 The design scheme can further reduce or avoid the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0076] Figure 4 A design is shown in which the coil connection element 48 and the device connection element 50 each have a connection element 66. The connection element 66 is used for optical connection to a corresponding light guide 62 as a light-based communication line. Figure 4 As schematically shown in FIG. 4 , the terminal component 66 of the coil connection element 48 has a first electro-optical transducer unit 68. An inductive coupling unit or a capacitive coupling unit 74 is connected to the first electro-optical transducer unit 68. Figure 4 In the figure, an inductive coupling unit is shown. However, in principle, a capacitive coupling unit can also be provided instead of the inductive coupling unit, which is easy to see for a person skilled in the art.

[0077] A corresponding structure can be found for the device connection element 50. The device connection element 50 also has a connection component 66, to which the corresponding light guide 62 of the connection cable 54 is connected. The connection component 66 also has a second electro-optical transducer unit 70, to which an inductive coupling unit or a capacitive coupling unit 74 is also connected accordingly.

[0078] Therefore, in the connected state of the coil connection element 48 and the device connection element 50 , communication can be achieved in the connection area 52 via a near-field magnetic field or a near-field electric field.

[0079] The inductive coupling unit or capacitive coupling unit 74 is characterized by high robustness and enables relatively reliable high-speed signal or data transmission even in the case of severe contamination. Therefore, the communication connection or signal connection provided thereby is similar to the actual operation. Figure 3 The version shown compares favorably.

[0080] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the connection region 52 is shown, which is based on the use of contact elements 72 that are already present in the prior art. The contact elements 72 can be designed as contact pins, contact sleeves and / or similar components, so that in the connected state of the coil connection element 48 and the device connection element 50, a disconnectable electrical connection can be established between the respective contact elements 72. In the prior art, this connection can be used, for example, according to I 2 The C standard or similar standards enable signal transmission or data transmission. However, this wired communication connection proves to be slow.

[0081] The present invention allows a significant improvement by using the optical waveguide 62 in the connecting cable 48 and the connection cable 54. For this purpose, the coil connecting element 48 and the device connecting element 50 each have a switching unit 78 as a combined unit, which is electrically connected to the corresponding contact element 72 on the one hand and is switchably connected between the electrical line 76 for slow communication and the corresponding electro-optical transducer unit 68, 70 on the other hand.

[0082] At the same time, the switching unit 78 is controlled so that in the respective first switched state communication is possible via the electrical line 76. In the second switched state communication is possible via the light guide 62 and the corresponding electro-optical transducer unit 68, 70. Thus, communication via the two communication channels thus formed can take place in time division multiplexing.

[0083] Electrical connections with contact elements 72 are already known in the prior art and are used successfully. Thus, by using the light guide 62 in combination with the electro-optical transducer unit 68, 70 preferably arranged in the respective connection element 48, 50, a fast communication connection can also be realized as a supplement to the slow communication connection via the electrical line 76. Thus, the contact element 72 can be used for two different communication channels. Figure 5 It is not visible in the figure that the electrical line 76 is also arranged so as to be integrated in the connecting cable 46 or the connection cable 54. However, depending on the design, the electrical line 76 can also be provided by a separate cable.

[0084] The switching unit 78 can be used to electrically (or galvanically) separate the corresponding electrical line 76 from the corresponding electro-optical transducer unit 68, 70. Figure 5 It is not apparent that a control signal can be provided by a detection unit (not shown), which can be arranged in one or both of the connecting elements 48, 50, but can also be included, for example, by the control unit 38, according to which the switching units 78 can be in their respective first or second switched state. Thus, the switching units 78 can preferably be switched synchronously. In this embodiment, the communication channels can also be changed in time division multiplexing.

[0085] Figure 6 Another design of the connecting unit 52 is shown, and its structural design is based on the principle of Figure 5 The following only describes the structural design that is consistent with the design of the invention. Figure 5 The differences in design solutions.

[0086] According to Figure 5 The design scheme is different. Figure 6 In the design scheme of FIG. 5 , it is provided that the electrical line 76 is connected to the contact element 72 via the filter unit 80 in the device connecting element 50. The communication via the electrical line 76 is based on I 2 In contrast, contact element 72 is directly connected to electro-optical transducer unit 70 .

[0087] A corresponding structure can also be found in coil connection element 48. Here too, electrical line 76 is connected to contact element 72 via filter unit 80. Contact element 72 is also connected to first electro-optical transducer unit 68.

[0088] This design makes it possible to achieve that the communication or signal transmission of the communication channel created here can be carried out both via the electrical line 76 and via the optical waveguide 62, and at least sometimes also simultaneously. This design achieves this in that a relatively slow communication is carried out on the electrical line 76, and the communication carried out via the optical waveguide 62 is encoded with Manchester coding. As a result, the bandwidth of the signal transmitted on the electrical line 76 or the data transmitted there is relatively small. In contrast, the bandwidth of the communication carried out via the optical waveguide 62 is shifted in the spectrum for this purpose so that the spectrum separation of these communication channels can be achieved. Therefore, due to the spectrum separation, signals or data can be transmitted simultaneously via the electrical line 76 and via the optical waveguide 62 through the contact elements in the connection area 52.

[0089] Figure 7 Show according to Figure 6 The corresponding schematic circuit diagram layout of the design scheme is shown in FIG. Figure 7It can be seen in FIG. 8 that the filter unit 80 is formed by passive electronic components, namely two inductors each connected in series, to the center tap of which a capacitor is connected, which has a connection to a reference potential (not shown in any more detail).

[0090] The filtering characteristics of the filter unit 80 are based on Figure 8 86 in a schematic diagram of the invention. The abscissa corresponds to the frequency and the ordinate to the attenuation. A further curve 82 shows the spectral transmission bandwidth of the data transmitted via the electrical line 76. A further curve 84 shows the spectral transmission bandwidth of the data transmitted via the optical waveguide 62. It can be seen that the filter 80 provides a very high attenuation for the data transmission via the optical waveguide 62, while the attenuation for the signal transmitted via the electrical line 76 or the data transmitted via the electrical line is very low. Thus, a reliable decoupling in terms of signal technology or communication technology can be achieved by means of the filter unit 80. Fig. 9 The low-pass filtering effect of the filter unit 80 is again shown by means of a curve 88 , where again the abscissa corresponds to the frequency and the ordinate to the attenuation.

[0091] In principle, the present invention basically divides the transmission route between the local coil 16 and the magnetic resonance device 15 into three sections, namely, first, optical or optical transmission between the sensor device 60 and the coil connecting element 48 via the optical fiber 62 of the connecting cable 46, second, transmission in the connecting area 52, which can be designed as current, inductive, capacitive or the like, and third, optical transmission to the magnetic resonance device 14 via the optical fiber 62 of the connecting cable 54.

[0092] If data is transmitted, it can be provided that appropriate encoding of the data, such as Manchester encoding or similar encoding, is set. This enables spectral separation of the data channels by corresponding filters. For example, when using the I2C standard, the bandwidth is usually limited to 50kHz. This lower clock frequency is mainly generated in the following way, that is, protective capacitors are provided, through which the current induction into the electrical line 76 is limited, which is mainly caused by the pulsed magnetic field. This also has a limiting effect on the bandwidth in the transmission through the electrical line 76. Data transmission through the optical guide 62 is usually achieved at a significantly higher frequency. The application of Manchester encoding is also proven to be advantageous in the following way, that is, it is essentially zero-mean.

[0093] The filter unit 80 can also reduce possible distortions in the transmission function associated with fast data transmission, which can otherwise occur due to impedance loads in the electrical connection area, which impedance loads are caused by the connected cables and components of the electrical line 76 when using contact elements. In addition, data can also be transmitted via suitable coaxial signal lines instead of via the optical waveguide 62. This design is particularly advantageously suitable for use with a transmission system according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 used in combination with the design scheme.

[0094] In principle, of course, the connection region can also be designed asymmetrically with respect to the signal speed and data rate, so that fast data transmission is provided essentially only in the signal direction or data direction from the local coil 16 to the magnetic resonance device 14. Therefore, the fast communication connection is preferably designed as unidirectional, so that expenditure and costs can be saved. The additional components required for implementing the invention for coupling or connecting in the connection region 52 are preferably arranged in the coil connection element 48 and the device connection element 50.

[0095] These embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and should not be used to limit the present invention.

Claims

1. A coil connection element (48) for a local coil (16) used as a local coil (16) of a magnetic resonance system (14) for performing examinations on a subject (12), wherein: The coil connection element is designed to be connected to a connection cable (46) of a local coil (16) and to be mechanically detachably connected to a device connection element (50) so as to establish, during intended operation, an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil (16) to a magnetic resonance device (14) while the coil connection element (48) is connected to the device connection element (50), wherein the coil connection element (48) has at least two first contact elements for electrically contacting at least two corresponding second contact elements of the device connection element (50), wherein the first contact elements can be electrically connected to corresponding electrical lines (76) of the connection cable (46), It is characterized in that A connection element (66) is provided for optical connection to at least one optical communication line (62) of a connecting cable (46).

2. The coil connection element according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection component (66) has a first electro-optical transducer unit (68) for coupling the optically based communication line (62), which is electrically connected to the at least two first contact elements.

3. The coil connection element according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first assembly unit is provided, which is connected to the at least two first contact elements and to the first electro-optical transducer unit (68) and can be electrically connected to an electrical line (76).

4. The coil connection element according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first combination unit has a filter unit (80) via which the electrical line (76) can be connected.

5. The coil connection element according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first combination unit has a detector unit for detecting communications on the electrical line (76).

6. The coil connection element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The terminal element (66) has an inductive coupling unit for inductively coupling a corresponding inductive coupling unit of the device connecting element (50).

7. The coil connection element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The connection element (66) has a capacitive coupling unit for capacitively coupling a corresponding capacitive coupling unit of the device connecting element (50).

8. A local coil (16) for a magnetic resonance system (14) for carrying out examinations on an object (12), the local coil comprising a coil arrangement, a connecting cable (46) and a coil connecting element (48), the coil connecting element being designed to be connected to the connecting cable (46) and to be mechanically detachably connected to a system connecting element (50) of the magnetic resonance system (14), so that during proper operation, while the coil connecting element (48) is connected to the system connecting element (50), an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil (16) to the magnetic resonance system (14) is established, It is characterized in that The coil connecting element (48) is designed according to any of the preceding claims.

9. A device connection element (50) for a magnetic resonance device (14) which uses a local coil (16) for performing an examination on a subject (12), the local coil having a coil connection element (48), wherein: The device connection element (50) is designed to be mechanically detachably connected to the coil connection element (48) in order to establish an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil (16) to the magnetic resonance device (14) during the intended operation while the coil connection element (48) is connected to the device connection element (50). It is characterized in that A second electro-optical transducer unit (70) is provided for optical connection to at least one optically based communication line (62) of the magnetic resonance device (14).

10. The device connection element according to claim 9, characterized in that An inductive coupling unit is provided for inductively coupling the corresponding inductive coupling unit of the coil connecting element (48).

11. The device connection element according to claim 9, characterized in that: A capacitive coupling unit is provided for capacitively coupling a corresponding capacitive coupling unit of the coil connecting element (48).

12. The device connection element according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The device connecting element (50) has at least two second contact elements for electrically contacting at least two corresponding first contact elements of the coil connecting element (48), wherein the second contact elements can be electrically connected to the magnetic resonance device (14).

13. The device connection element according to claim 12, characterized in that The second electro-optical transducer unit (70) is electrically connected to the at least two second contact elements, which are used to make electrical contact with at least two corresponding first contact elements of the coil connection element (48).

14. The device connection element according to claim 13, characterized in that A second assembly unit is provided, which is connected to the at least two second contact elements and to the second electro-optical transducer unit (70) and can be electrically connected to the magnetic resonance device (14).

15. The device connection element according to claim 14, characterized in that The second combination unit has a filter unit (80) via which the second contact element can be electrically connected to the magnetic resonance system (14).

16. The device connection element according to claim 14, characterized in that The second combination unit has a detector unit for detecting communication with at least two second contact elements via an electrical line (76) of the magnetic resonance system (14).

17. A magnetic resonance device (14) for performing an examination on an object (12), the magnetic resonance device comprising a magnetic field source (18, 28) for applying a predeterminable magnetic field to the object (12), an evaluation unit (38) and a connection unit coupled to the evaluation unit (38) in terms of signals and / or communication technology, the connection unit being used for detachably connecting a local coil (16), wherein: The connection unit comprises a device connection element (50) for connecting to a coil connection element (48) of a local coil (16), wherein the device connection element (50) is designed to be mechanically detachably connected to the coil connection element (48) in order to establish an at least partially wired signal and / or communication coupling of the local coil (16) to the magnetic resonance system (14) during proper operation while the coil connection element (48) is connected to the device connection element (50). It is characterized in that The device connecting element (50) is designed according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. A magnetic resonance examination apparatus (10) comprising a magnetic resonance device (14) and a local coil (16), It is characterized in that At least the local coil (16) is designed according to claim 8 or the magnetic resonance system (14) Designed according to claim 17.

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