Local coil for imaging modality of magnetic resonance system and magnetic resonance system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a local coil for an imaging mode of a magnetic resonance system and the magnetic resonance system. The local coil includes antenna elements and a protective cover surrounding at least one antenna element. The protective cover has a patient side and a technical side opposite the patient side. Here, the protective cover has a first protective cover layer, which extends along the patient side of the protective cover, and a second protective cover layer, which extends along the technical side of the protective cover. The first protective cover layer has a uniform layer thickness and the second protective cover layer has a non-uniform layer thickness that matches at least one component of the antenna element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a local coil for an imaging mode of a magnetic resonance system. The local coil comprises an antenna element and a protective cover, wherein the protective cover surrounds at least one antenna element. The protective cover has a patient side and a technical side opposite to the patient side.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a magnetic resonance system having an imaging modality and at least one local coil. Background Art

[0003] Magnetic resonance systems or magnetic resonance imaging devices are used to examine objects or patients using magnetic resonance imaging methods.

[0004] In nuclear spin tomography, strong radio frequency fields are used to excite spins in the patient. Electric fields of 40 μTorr with frequencies up to 300 MHz or more are generated by pulse amplifiers with transmission powers up to 10 kW.

[0005] In magnetic resonance tomography, images with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SMR) are captured by a magnetic resonance imaging device (MR or MRT) which usually has so-called local coils (coils, local coils). The antenna system is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the patient or below the patient. During the magnetic resonance measurement, the excited nuclei in the individual antennas of the local coil generate a voltage, which is then amplified by a low-noise preamplifier and finally transmitted to the receiving electronics via a cable. A local coil can be understood as an antenna system that can be composed of one or more antenna elements. The individual antenna elements are usually implemented as loop antennas, butterfly coils or saddle coils. The coil consists, for example, of coil elements, preamplifiers, other electronic components such as sheath wave barriers and wiring, which can be connected to the magnetic resonance device on the housing, usually via a cable and a plug. The receiver arranged on the device side filters and digitizes the signal received by the local coil and delivers the data to digital signal processing, which usually derives an image or spectrum from the measurement and provides it to the user for diagnosis. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a local coil, which can be better placed on a patient, thereby improving the comfort level of the patient.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a local coil for an imaging modality of a magnetic resonance system and a magnetic resonance system.

[0008] One aspect of the utility model relates to a local coil for an imaging modality of a magnetic resonance system, wherein the local coil comprises

[0009] - an antenna element, and

[0010] - a protective cover surrounding at least one antenna element,

[0011] wherein the protective cover has a patient side and a technical side opposite the patient side,

[0012] It is characterized in that

[0013] a first protective cover layer and a second protective cover layer of the protective cover are provided, the first protective cover layer extending along the patient side of the protective cover and the second protective cover layer extending along the technical side of the protective cover,

[0014] wherein the first protective covering layer has a uniform layer thickness and the second protective covering layer has a non-uniform layer thickness adapted to at least one component of the antenna element.

[0015] The advantage of the proposed local coil or according to the invention is that it can be more easily placed on the patient and thereby improves the comfort or patient comfort. The proposed local coil has an improved or increased flexibility of use, so that the local coil can be flexibly placed on different patients and in particular on different areas of the patient's body. The proposed local coil is therefore more patient-friendly or user-friendly to use and can therefore be placed on the patient in a more patient-friendly manner.

[0016] The uneven layer thickness of the second protective coating layer can make different components of the antenna element, in particular in the region of the second protective coating layer and thus in the region of the technical side, compensate for each other. By adjusting the layer thickness of the second protective coating layer, unevenness in the region of the technical side can be compensated.

[0017] Due to the non-uniform layer thickness of the second protective covering layer, the local coil can be placed on the patient in a flexible or agile manner and in a more patient-specific manner.

[0018] By means of the proposed local coil, a flexible coil can be provided for a magnetic resonance examination, which coil is more gentle and highly flexible, so that the coil can adapt itself to the patient's body during the examination.

[0019] For example, the local coil and in particular the protective cover can act like a lightweight cover or cushion, thereby increasing patient comfort. In addition to mechanical protection of the antenna element and in particular components of the antenna element, the protective cover also provides functionality. On the one hand, the protective cover can prevent liquids from entering the interior of the local coil, in particular into the electronic components. In addition, it is also possible, for example, to form a surface of the protective cover that is resistant to disinfection. The patient side is the side that directly or closely abuts the patient. In contrast, the technical side is the side of the protective cover that is opposite to the patient side or faces away from the patient side and that is not in contact or in direct contact with the patient.

[0020] Examples of components of the antenna are cables, wire guides, electronics housings and electronics components.

[0021] The protective cover is used in particular to protect components of the local coil and can be formed from a first protective cover layer and a second protective cover layer and in particular from a further protective cover layer. The protective cover can in particular be designed in one piece. It is also conceivable that the protective cover is composed of a plurality of components, for example protective cover layers, wherein the individual protective cover layers can be directly connected to one another.

[0022] The layer thickness of the second protective cover layer can be adjusted or adapted according to the dimension, extension, size, direction, height and / or width of at least one component of the antenna element. Thus, the second protective cover layer can have different or multiple different layer thicknesses. In the corresponding area of ​​the second protective cover layer, the layer thickness in this area can be adjusted according to the components of the antenna element that are respectively located in this area.

[0023] For example, a component of the antenna element or at least one component of the antenna element can be arranged between the technical side and the patient side. The at least one component can extend in the area between the first protective cover layer and / or the second protective cover layer. Preferably, at least one component of the antenna element can be at least partially, in particular completely, in the second protective cover layer.

[0024] The outer cover is made of artificial leather or PU coated fabric by means of ultrasonic welding and multiple intermediate layers, such as padding or Korovin material, are generated as required. A padded outer cover with tight seams is formed. The antenna protected by a thin fixing layer made of integral foam plastic can then be introduced into the outer cover through a lateral opening or a housing opening and tightly closed. Significant height differences on antennas protected by integral foam plastic, such as height differences caused by housing parts required to protect electrical components, may lead to restrictions on patient comfort due to unevenness. So far, in antennas with integral foam plastic, the cable channel has been placed under the surface of the foam plastic by means of silicone ropes or Teflon tubes. Here, the local coil according to the utility model can provide assistance.

[0025] In one embodiment, it is provided that the second protective cover layer has different layer thickness values ​​along the technical side. For example, the second protective cover layer can adjust the layer thickness or thickness or height according to the characteristics or conditions of the technical side and / or according to which component or components of the antenna element are present. For example, the technical side may be completely or at least partially uneven due to the different layer thicknesses of the second protective cover layer. Due to the different layer thicknesses or multiple different layer thicknesses of the second protective cover layer, the technical side may have a corrugated, concave or uneven design or surface. Due to the different layer thickness values ​​of the second protective cover layer, the technical side may have a convexity or concaveness when viewed from above on the technical side. This is mainly due to the fact that the second protective cover layer is adjusted according to at least one component of the antenna element or multiple components of the antenna element. For example, the area between two components of the antenna element has a lower or smaller layer thickness value than the area of ​​one of the two components.

[0026] In one embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of evenly distributed depressions are formed in the second protective cover layer on the technical side, the depressions at least partially extending into the second protective cover layer. A plurality of evenly distributed depressions or grooves or gaps can be arranged at least partially on the surface of the technical side in a planar or flat manner when viewed from above on the surface of the technical side. In particular, the protective cover layer is completely or at least partially formed or designed with a plurality of depressions. In particular, the second protective cover layer can be formed with a plurality of depressions, so that a plurality of depressions are evenly distributed in a planar or flat manner on the technical side. In this case, the individual depressions have the same spacing from one another.

[0027] The depression can at least partially, in particular at a predetermined depth, extend into the second protective cover layer or extend inwardly therefrom. The advantage brought about by the depression is that the local coil is more flexible and can better conform to the body part of the patient. The depression can be introduced, for example, in the manufacturing process of the protective cover or in a subsequent process. In particular, the protective cover has an additional structure on the surface due to the depression, in particular an additional structure on the technical side surface. This improves flexibility. Depending on the flexibility requirements of the local coil, the depression can be implemented differently. Here, on the one hand, the arrangement or number of the depressions can be changed. In addition, the corresponding depth or depth value of the depression can be adjusted.

[0028] In one embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of depressions form a linear, honeycomb, hexagonal, rhombus or grid-like structure on the technical side. By means of such a constructed or designed structure or profile or pattern or structuring, the local coil can be designed more flexibly. By means of the structure on the technical side and in particular on the surface of the technical side, the local coil can be better positioned on the patient, since the local coil can be better adjusted or conformed or deformed to the respective body part of the patient.

[0029] Depending on the type of local coil and / or on the field of application of the local coil, an individual design can be implemented on the technical side.

[0030] In one embodiment, it is provided that the local coil is flexibly bendable in at least two spatial directions due to the recesses. By introducing the recesses and thereby texturing or structuring the technology side or the technology side surface, the flexibility and in particular the bendability of the local coil can be increased. As a result, the local coil can be better placed on the patient because it adjusts to the body part of the patient on which it is to be placed or conforms or deforms to this body part.

[0031] The indentation can increase or improve the bendability or deformability of the local coil. In particular, the local coil and in particular the protective cap are designed so that they can be bent or deformed for a measurement process or a scanning process depending on the patient, so that the local coil or the protective cap can be placed on the relevant body part of the patient. After the measurement is carried out, the local coil can be removed from the patient again and the local coil can be reset to a basic state. The local coil can thus be bent for a measurement process on the patient or for a positioning process. After the measurement process on the patient, the local coil can then be removed again and the local coil can be reset to a basic state, in particular automatically.

[0032] Furthermore, the local coil can have a fixing device, such as an adhesive tape or a bandage, by means of which the local coil placed on the patient can be fixed or held. After the measurement process on the patient is completed, the fixing device can be released again, so that the local coil automatically returns to the initial position. As a result, the bending process of the local coil can be reversible.

[0033] Depending on the application of the local coil and in particular on the flexibility requirements of the local coil, the local coil can be flexible in two or three spatial directions due to the recess.

[0034] In one embodiment, it is provided that the local coil has at least two bending directions. Depending on the use case or the field of application or the flexibility requirements or the requirements for bendability, the local coil can have two or three bending directions. In this way, a plurality of bending directions of the local coil can be provided. In particular, at least two bending directions are preferred bending directions of the local coil. For example, the bending directions are provided or defined in such a way that the local coil can be bent based on a correspondingly provided angle or bending angle.

[0035] For example, the bending direction can be provided in such a way that the local coils can be varied orthogonally, horizontally and / or diagonally.

[0036] In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one receiving area for at least one component of the antenna is integrated in the protective cover. This allows the functionality of the protective cover to be further expanded, since the protective cover can be designed or manufactured in addition to protecting the components of the local coil in such a way that a corresponding receiving area or opening or space is integrated or introduced into the protective cover, so that at least one or more components of the antenna element can be accommodated there. For example, cables, line guides, electronic components, housings or the antenna element itself can be accommodated in the receiving area. This allows better protection of the components of the local coil.

[0037] In one embodiment, it is provided that the protective cover is formed by means of a thermoforming process. As a result, the protective cover can be constructed as an integral or one-piece element or structure. The thermoforming process or hot working process is to be understood as a method in which a thermoplastic is deformed by means of heat and by means of pressurized air or vacuum. Since the protective cover is formed or manufactured by means of a thermoforming process, the protective cover can be adjusted to the use of the local coil and in particular to which components the local coil contains. In particular, a receiving area for components of the antenna element can be introduced by means of a thermoforming process by means of the manufacturing process. For example, a recess can also be introduced in the thermoforming process.

[0038] In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one component of the antenna element is completely surrounded by the protective cover. The protective cover is thus designed such that at least one component of the antenna element, a plurality of components of the antenna element and / or the antenna element itself is enclosed or surrounded by the protective cover. As a result, at least one component of the antenna element or all components of the antenna element are protected, in particular protected from damage.

[0039] In particular, the protective cover is configured such that the at least one component is located in the first protective cover layer or in the second protective cover layer. It is also conceivable that the at least one component is located partially in the first protective cover layer or partially in the second protective cover layer. As a result, at least one component of the antenna element can be surrounded by the protective cover layer of the protective cover and thus protected.

[0040] In one embodiment, it is provided that the protective cover is partially, in particular completely, made of a foam plastic material. Furthermore, the protective cover can be designed in particular in one piece. For example, the protective cover can be made at least partially of a foam plastic material. It is also conceivable that the protective cover is partially and completely made of a foam plastic material. By using a foam plastic material and in particular a foamed material in a broad sense, the protective cover can be designed as a foam plastic material element. By using a foam plastic material, the protective cover can be designed to be lightweight and comfortable for the user. For the production of foam plastic material, different plastics can be used.

[0041] In addition, other materials that are lightweight and have a soft or comfortable design can also be used in addition to the foamed plastic material. By using a foamed plastic material for the design of the protective cover, at first the patient's comfort can be improved.

[0042] In one embodiment, it is provided that the local coil is a chest coil, a thoracic coil, an abdominal coil, a head coil, a heart coil, a knee coil, an ankle coil or a shoulder coil. These examples of various local coils are not to be understood as exhaustive, but are to be used to understand the purpose or application of local coils. Other types of local coils are also conceivable. Depending on the type and material of the local coil, the depression and / or the slice thickness value can also be changed or adjusted.

[0043] Another aspect of the utility model relates to a magnetic resonance system, comprising an imaging modality and at least one local coil according to the above aspect or an advantageous improvement. The above local coil can be advantageously used in a magnetic resonance system. In particular, the magnetic resonance system can have a plurality of such local coils.

[0044] The present invention also includes an extended design of the magnetic resonance system according to the present invention, which has the technical features already described in conjunction with the extended design of the local coil according to the present invention. For this reason, the corresponding extended design of the magnetic resonance system according to the present invention will not be described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The present invention is further described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a magnetic resonance system;

[0047] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a local coil of the magnetic resonance system shown;

[0048] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 Another schematic sectional view of the local coil shown, wherein the local coil has a recess;

[0049] Figure 4 Another schematic cross-sectional view of a local coil is shown;

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a local coil is shown, wherein the side surfaces of the local coil have different layer thicknesses;

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic top view of the technical side of a protective cap of a local coil is shown, wherein a linear structure is arranged on the technical side;

[0052] Figure 7A schematic, wider plan view of the technical side of a protective cap of a local coil is shown, wherein a grid-like structure is provided on the technical side;

[0053] Figure 8 A further schematic plan view of a protective cover or a fixing layer of a local coil is shown, wherein a hexagonal structure is introduced here on the surface of the technical side; and

[0054] Fig. 9 A further schematic view is shown, in particular from above, viewing the technical side, wherein receiving areas for cable guides and / or components are also introduced here. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the components described are each individual, mutually independently viewable features of the present invention, which also form an expanded design of the present invention independently of each other and can therefore also be considered as components of the present invention alone or in a combination different from the combination shown. In addition, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the present invention that have been described.

[0057] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0058] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a (MRT) system 1 (also referred to as a magnetic resonance system) according to the present invention is shown.

[0059] The magnetic resonance system 1 comprises a magnet unit with a field magnet 3, which generates a static magnetic field for orienting the nuclear spins of an object 8, such as a patient, in an imaging region. The imaging region is characterized by a very uniform static magnetic field, wherein the uniformity is particularly related to the magnetic field strength or the magnetic field amplitude. The imaging region is located in a patient channel 2, which extends through the magnet unit in the longitudinal direction Z. The field magnet 3 can be, for example, a superconducting magnet, which can generate a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of up to 3 T or even higher. However, for smaller field strengths, permanent magnets or electromagnets with normally conductive coils can also be used. The patient support or examination table 7 can move in the patient channel 2.

[0060] Furthermore, the magnet unit comprises a gradient coil arrangement 5 having a plurality of gradient coils for superimposing a gradient magnetic field, i.e. a position-dependent magnetic field, on the static magnetic field in three spatial directions in order to spatially differentiate the scanned image region within the imaging region. For example, the gradient coils of the gradient coil arrangement 5 can be coils made of normally conducting wires, which can generate mutually orthogonal magnetic fields or magnetic field gradients within the imaging region.

[0061] The magnet unit includes a transmitting coil device, which may include, for example, a body coil 4 (also called a whole body coil) as a transmitting antenna, and the body coil is designed to radiate high-frequency signals or excitation signals to the imaging area. Therefore, the body coil 4 can be understood as a high-frequency transmitting coil device or a part of a high-frequency transmitting coil device of the magnetic resonance system 1. In some embodiments, the body coil 4 can also be used to receive resonant magnetic resonance signals emitted from the object 8. In this case, the body coil 4 can also be regarded as a part of the signal detection device of the magnetic resonance imaging system 1. The signal detection device can optionally include a local coil 6, which can be arranged in the vicinity of the object 8, for example on the object 8 or in the patient support 7. As an alternative or in addition to the body coil 4, the local coil 6 can be used as a receiving coil or a receiving antenna.

[0062] The magnetic resonance system 1 further comprises a control and computing system 9. The control and computing system 9 may comprise a transmit-receive control unit 10, which is connected to the body coil 4, the gradient coil device 5 and / or the local coil 6. Based on the detected magnetic resonance signals, the transmit-receive control unit 10 may comprise an analog-to-digital converter ADC (English: “analog-to-digital converter”), which may generate corresponding magnetic resonance data, in particular k-space data. If necessary, the transmit-receive control unit 10 is also connected to the body coil 4 and activates the body coil to generate high-frequency pulses, such as excitation pulses and / or refocusing pulses. In addition, the transmit-receive control unit 10 of the control and computing system 9 may also be connected to the gradient coil device 5 and control the gradient coil device to switch the slice selection gradient, the frequency encoding gradient and / or the phase encoding gradient and / or the readout gradient.

[0063] For example, the magnetic resonance system 1 has an imaging modality 11 . The imaging modality 11 may have at least a magnet unit, a patient support 7 and a patient access 2 .

[0064] exist Figure 2 1 shows a schematic diagram, in particular a sectional view or cross-sectional view, of a local coil 12 of a magnetic resonance system 1. The local coil 12 can have at least one antenna element 13, which can be referred to as an antenna or coil, for example. Furthermore, the local coil 12 can have at least one component 14 of the antenna element 13. A plurality of components is also conceivable. The at least one component 14 can be, for example, Figure 2 The example shown in FIG. 1 is a housing 15 of an electronic component or an electronic subassembly.

[0065] In order to better protect the local coil 12 and in particular the components of the local coil 12 from damage, and thus in particular the at least one component 14 and / or the antenna element 13 from contact with the patient 8, the local coil 12 can have a protective cover 16 or a protective element. The protective cover 16 has a patient side 17, that is, a side that can be placed against the patient 8, and also has a technical side 18 that is opposite or facing away from the patient side 17. The antenna element 13 and / or the component 14 can also be arranged between the technical side 18 and the patient side 17, so that the antenna element 13 and / or the at least one component 14 are at least partially or completely surrounded or enclosed.

[0066] In order to design the local coil 12 more flexibly and in particular more bendably so that the local coil 12 can be placed on the patient 8 in a manner that better meets the patient's requirements, the protective cover 16 can be composed of at least two or more protective cover layers or protective cover areas. For example, the protective cover 16 can have a first protective cover area or a first protective cover layer 19, which extends along the patient side 17. In addition, the protective cover 16 can have a second protective cover layer 20, which extends along the technical side 18 of the protective cover 16. The protective cover 16 can be formed, for example, by means of a thermoforming process, wherein the antenna element 13 is especially protected by a particularly integral foam plastic or foamed material with different height profiles or different foam thicknesses on the top and bottom sides of the antenna element 13. The protective cover layers 17, 18 can also be constructed differently here. The first protective cover layer 19 on the patient side 17 can have a uniform layer thickness d1 (cf. Figure 4 ). As a result, the patient side 17 can have a uniform or flat or smooth surface, which is beneficial to the patient's comfort when the local coil 12 is placed on the patient 8. In order to be able to integrate the at least one component 14 in the protective cover 16 and at the same time increase the flexibility of the local coil 12, the second protective cover layer 20 can have a non-uniform layer thickness d2 (cf. Figure 5 ). The layer thickness d2 can be adjusted according to the at least one component 14 and / or other components of the local coil 12. By means of different layer thicknesses d2, a significantly different or varying height of the housing part, the cannula shaft compared to the at least one component 14 can be compensated. This can increase patient comfort and achieve better compensation of unevenness.

[0067] In order to be able to further improve the flexibility and in particular the bendability of the local coil 12 , additional structures can be applied or introduced into the surface of the technical side 18 , for example in a hot forming process.

[0068] To this end, Figure 31 shows a further schematic diagram of a local coil 12 in cross section. The local coil 12 can be flexibly designed. For this purpose, a plurality of evenly distributed recesses 21 are provided in the second protective cover layer 20 on the technical side 18. The recesses 21 are located in particular on the side of the protective cover 16 facing away from the patient 8. The recesses 21 can make the protective cover 16 and thus the local coil 12 more flexible and bendable. The recesses 21 can be formed as follows: Figure 3 In the exemplary illustration, it extends at least partially into the second protective covering layer 20 .

[0069] Depending on the flexibility requirements of the local coil 12, the recesses 21 can be implemented differently. For this purpose, a plurality of recesses 21 can have a linear structure or a linear pattern or a linear profile. This is for example Figure 6 As shown in FIG.

[0070] Likewise, a plurality of depressions 21 can form a grid-like structure on the technical side 18, in particular on the surface of the technical side 18. This can be done, for example, Figure 7 As shown in FIG.

[0071] For example, the plurality of depressions 21 may also have a honeycomb, hexagonal or rhombus structure. Figure 8 As shown in FIG.

[0072] Figure 4 Another schematic cross-sectional view of the local coil 12 is shown. As mentioned above, the first protective cover layer 19 has a uniform or identical layer thickness d1. For example, the layer thickness d1 of the first protective cover layer 19 can have a layer thickness value of 1 mm to 5 mm. Figure 4 As shown by way of example, it is also conceivable that the at least one component 14, here the housing 15, is at least partially surrounded or encapsulated by the protective cover 16 and in particular by the first and / or second protective cover layer 19, 20. Figure 4 As shown, the at least one component 14, 15 protrudes at least, for example, beyond the second protective covering layer 20. This may be because a special electronic or electrical interface may be present on the technical side 18 in order to be able to connect the local coil 12 to the magnetic resonance system 1, for example.

[0073] exist Figure 5 As described above, another schematic cross-sectional view of the local coil 12 shows an embodiment of the second protective cover layer 20, wherein the second protective cover layer 20 has a non-uniform or different layer thickness d2. For example, the layer thickness d2 can be in the range of 10 to 20 mm or 5 to 20 mm. In particular, Figure 5 As shown by way of example, the layer thickness d1 in the region of the housing 15 has a greater layer thickness value than in the region between the two components 14, 15. As a result, a bulge can be shown along the technical side 18 in the region where at least one component 14 is located. A depression can be shown in the region where no component 14 is present. This is for example Figure 5 As shown in FIG.

[0074] The layer thickness d2 of the second protective cover layer 20 is adjusted to the height profile of the local coil 12 , in particular to the covering of the electronic components of the local coil 12 , so that a surface that is as flat as possible is achieved toward the outside, i.e. the side facing the patient 8 , such as the patient side 17 , and thus patient comfort is increased.

[0075] It is also conceivable that, for example, Figure 2 As shown, a flat surface is achieved on the top side and the bottom side, ie on the patient side 17 and the technical side 18. This allows the flexible local coil 12 to be used on both sides from a mechanical point of view. This increases the flexibility of use and thus offers advantages for the patient 8.

[0076] exist Figure 6 , 7 , 8 show by way of example different embodiments with regard to the structure and arrangement of the recess 21. These are views from above, looking towards the technical side 18 and thus towards the side facing away from the patient 8, ie, top views.

[0077] As mentioned earlier, Figure 6 The linear structure of the arranged or formed recesses 21 is shown. By means of different structures of the recesses 21, the protective cap 16 and thus the local coil 12 can have a higher flexibility or flexibility. In particular, the local coil 12 can be bent or curved in one, two or more spatial directions. For this purpose, the local coil 12 can have a plurality of bending directions 22. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the local coil 12 can have a bending direction 22 by means of a linear structure. Figure 7 In the illustrated grid-like structure of the depressions 21 , the local coil 12 can have two bending directions, which are arranged in particular perpendicularly or orthogonally to one another.

[0078] In the case of a preferably hexagonal or rhombus-shaped structure of the surface of the technical side 18 which is realized by means of a plurality of depressions 21, the local coil 12 can have three bending directions 22 or more bending directions 22. Figure 8 As shown in the example, Figure 7 In contrast to the illustration, the additional bending direction 22 extends orthogonally.

[0079] The introduction of the recesses 21 has the effect, in particular, that the local coil 12 is not rigid but rather flexible.

[0080] In addition, the introduction of the recess 21 provides the advantage that the local coil 12 can be placed anatomically or individually according to the corresponding body part of the patient 8. This improves the patient's comfort when using the local coil 12. By introducing a protective cover 16 or a technical side 18 that is adjusted according to the bending direction 22 or the bending dominant direction, the flexibility of the local coil 12 can be adjusted according to the application requirements, and the local coil 12 can be deformed more easily according to the patient 8. In addition, other functionalities, such as cable guides, can also be introduced into the foam surface or into the technical side 18 or the surface of the technical side 18. This can achieve easy and time-saving placement of the cable 23 in the possible preparation of the local coil 12 or the protective cover 16, and save the wiring through the conventional cable channel. For this purpose, a cable guide, a receiving area 24 or other cavity for introducing components can be integrated in the protective cover 16. Thus, the receiving area, such as the receiving area 24, is introduced or integrated during the production, especially by means of a hot forming process, of the protective cover 16. Thus, the component 14 or the housing 15 or the cable 23 can be taken into account in the design of the protective cover 16 in a simple manner.

[0081] In particular, the protective cover 16 and in particular the individual layers 19, 20 of the protective cover 16 are partially, in particular completely, made of a foamed plastic material. The protective cover 16 can in particular be referred to as a foamed plastic material protective cover.

Claims

1. A local coil (12) for an imaging modality of a magnetic resonance system (1), the local coil comprising - an antenna element (13), and - a protective cover (16) which surrounds at least one antenna element (13), -in, The protective cover (16) has a patient side (17) and a technical side (18) opposite the patient side (17). It is characterized in that a first protective cover layer (19) and a second protective cover layer (20) of the protective cover (16), the first protective cover layer extending along the patient side (17) of the protective cover (16), and the second protective cover layer extending along the technical side (18) of the protective cover (16), wherein the first protective covering layer (19) has a uniform layer thickness and the second protective covering layer (20) has a non-uniform layer thickness adapted to at least one component (14) of the antenna element (13).

2. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The second protective cover layer (20) has different layer thickness values ​​along the technical side (18).

3. The local coil (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A plurality of evenly distributed depressions (21) are formed in the second protective covering layer (20) on the technical side (18), said depressions at least partially extending into the second protective covering layer (20).

4. The local coil (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that A plurality of depressions (21) form a linear, honeycomb, hexagonal, rhombus or grid-like structure on the technical side (18).

5. The local coil (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that The local coil (12) is flexibly bendable in at least two spatial directions due to the recesses (21).

6. The local coil (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that The local coil (12) has at least two bending directions (22).

7. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one receiving area (24) for at least one component (14) of the antenna element (13) is integrated into the protective cover (16).

8. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The protective cover (16) is formed by means of a thermoforming process.

9. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one component (14) of the antenna element (13) is completely surrounded by a protective cover (16).

10. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The protective cover (16) is partially made of foamed plastic material.

11. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The protective cover (16) is made completely from foamed plastic material.

12. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The protective cover (16) is designed in one piece.

13. The local coil (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The local coil (12) is a chest coil, a thoracic coil, an abdominal coil, a head coil, a heart coil, a knee coil, an ankle coil or a shoulder coil.

14. A magnetic resonance system (1), characterized in that: The magnetic resonance system comprises an imaging modality (11) and at least one local coil (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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