Magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance, in particular to a magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging. The magnetic resonance coil device comprises a deformable flexible blanket body which comprises a first side edge and a second side edge which are oppositely arranged, a first seam extending from the first side edge to the second side edge and a second seam extending from the second side edge to the first side edge, and the first seam and the second seam divide the flexible blanket body into a first part and a second part which are connected with each other, the connecting boundary of the first part and the second part extends from the inner side end of the first seam and ends at the inner side end of the second seam, the first part is used for covering the neck of a subject, and the second part is used for covering the chest of the subject; and a plurality of coil units, one part of which is supported by the first part and is configured to deform along with the deformation of the first part, and the other part of which is supported by the second part and is configured to deform along with the deformation of the second part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of magnetic resonance technology, and in particular to a magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging. Background Art

[0002] The MRI coil assembly, primarily composed of a coil unit and a coil unit carrier, is a crucial component of an MRI system. Previously, the coil unit carrier typically employed a rigid design. This, on the one hand, prevented the internal coil unit from properly fitting to subjects of varying body shapes, making it difficult to achieve stable, high-quality MRI imaging. Furthermore, MRI examinations took a long time, and rigid coils were less comfortable when placed on the body, making it difficult for subjects to maintain a consistent posture for extended periods, adversely affecting the MRI imaging results.

[0003] In addition, traditional magnetic resonance coils used for thyroid imaging are generally only able to perform imaging examinations on the thyroid area of ​​the subject, while ignoring the possible spread and metastasis of thyroid lesions to surrounding tissues, which is not conducive to the doctor's comprehensive judgment of the patient's condition. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging.

[0005] The magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging involved in this application comprises:

[0006] A deformable flexible blanket, the flexible blanket comprising a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite each other, a first slit extending from the first side edge toward the second side edge, and a second slit extending from the second side edge toward the first side edge, the first slit and the second slit dividing the flexible blanket into a first portion and a second portion connected to each other, the connecting boundary between the first portion and the second portion extending from an inner end of the first slit and terminating at an inner end of the second slit, the first portion being configured to cover a subject's neck, and the second portion being configured to cover a subject's chest;

[0007] A plurality of coil units, a portion of which is supported by the first portion and configured to deform following deformation of the first portion, and another portion of which is supported by the second portion and configured to deform following deformation of the second portion.

[0008] In some possible embodiments, the first portion includes a first sub-portion corresponding to the first slit and a second sub-portion corresponding to the second slit, the first sub-portion covers the right side of the subject's neck by deforming around the subject's height, and the second sub-portion covers the left side of the subject's neck by deforming around the subject's height.

[0009] At least a portion of at least one of the coil units is supported by the first sub-portion and deforms following deformation of the first sub-portion;

[0010] At least a portion of at least another of the coil units is supported by the second sub-portion and deforms following deformation of the second sub-portion.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the first portion includes a third sub-portion corresponding to the connection boundary, and the third sub-portion is used to cover the front side of the subject's neck;

[0012] At least a portion of at least one of the coils is supported by the third subsection.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the following further comprises:

[0014] An elastically deformable head clamp clamps and fixes the first portion on the subject's head in a manner of clamping the first sub-portion and the second sub-portion toward each other.

[0015] In some possible implementations, each of the first slit and the second slit is configured to extend obliquely in a manner such that the closer it is to the connection boundary, the closer it is to the first portion.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the plurality of coil units include a first coil unit, and the first coil unit is arranged to span both sides of the connection boundary, with a portion of the first coil unit supported by the first portion and another portion of the first coil unit supported by the second portion.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the plurality of coil units include a second coil unit, the second coil is entirely supported by the first portion or the second portion, and the second coil unit partially overlaps with the first coil unit.

[0018] In some possible implementations, there is only one first coil, and a plurality of second coils are configured, and the plurality of second coils are symmetrically arranged about an imaginary plane perpendicular to the connection boundary;

[0019] An area of ​​the first coil unit is larger than an area of ​​the second coil unit.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the following further comprises:

[0021] An elastically flexible edge reinforcement structure is provided at the edge of the flexible carpet body, and the elastic restoring force of the edge reinforcement structure biases the flexible carpet body toward a flattened state.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the first portion is further used to cover the face of the subject, and the first portion has an opening, and the opening is used to expose the mouth and / or nose of the subject.

[0023] The magnetic resonance coil device provided by the present application can be closely positioned to the left and right sides of a subject's neck and chest, allowing for simultaneous examination of the subject's chest while simultaneously performing a thyroid magnetic resonance examination, thereby facilitating the screening for the spread and metastasis of thyroid lesions. Furthermore, when not in use, the device comprises a first slit and a second slit extending from two opposing edges of the flexible blanket. The first portion for covering the neck and the second portion for covering the chest are connected via a connecting boundary between the first and second slits that is smaller than the overall lateral dimension of the flexible blanket. This, on the one hand, helps reduce the area and size of the device when not in use. On the other hand, when the device is in use, the first and second portions can easily deform relative to the connecting boundary, and the first and second sub-portions are less susceptible to interference from the second portion when deforming about the subject's height. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of the present application, and are not limitations to the present application.

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging provided in an embodiment of the present application in a flattened state. In this figure, a single-dotted line is used to indicate the connection boundary between the first part and the second part.

[0026] Figure 2 It will Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the coil unit of the magnetic resonance coil device shown in perspective.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a magnetic resonance coil apparatus being worn by a subject.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the magnetic resonance coil device.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the edge enhancement structure.

[0030] Description of reference numerals:

[0031] PP-personnel;

[0032] DR1-front-back direction, DR2-left-right direction, DR3-height direction;

[0033] HP-imaginary plane;

[0034] 1-flexible blanket, CB-connecting boundary;

[0035] 11-first part, 111-first subpart, 112-second subpart, 113-third subpart, 113a-opening;

[0036] 12-Part II;

[0037] 1a-first side wall, 1b-second side wall, 1c-first slit, 1c1-inner end of the first slit, 1d-second slit, 1d1-inner end of the second slit;

[0038] 2-edge reinforcement structure, 21-elastic ribs, 22-fabric;

[0039] 3-Sutures;

[0040] 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p - coil units;

[0041] 5-outlet box, 51-outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application. It is understood that, in the absence of conflict, some technical means of the various embodiments described herein can be replaced or combined with each other.

[0043] In the description and claims of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., if used, are used solely to distinguish the objects being described and do not convey any sequential or technical meaning. Thus, a term defined as "first," "second," etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such objects. Furthermore, "a," "an," and similar terms do not indicate a limitation on quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one, and "plurality" means at least two.

[0044] Figures 1 to 5A magnetic resonance coil device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the device) provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The device can perform imaging examinations on the subject's thyroid gland as well as magnetic resonance examinations on the subject's neck and chest. That is, the device can perform a combined magnetic resonance imaging examination of the subject's thyroid gland, neck, and chest. In this way, it helps doctors better judge the subject's condition, especially the condition of the thyroid gland, for example, it helps doctors to detect the spread and metastasis of thyroid lesions.

[0045] For the convenience of explaining the present technology, a front-back direction DR1 , a left-right direction DR2 , and a height direction DR3 that are perpendicular to each other are defined based on the viewing angle of the subject PP.

[0046] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The device is shown in a flattened configuration when not in use. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The device is shown in a deformed state in use. The device comprises a deformable flexible blanket 1 and a plurality of coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, and 4p supported by the flexible blanket 1.

[0047] Each coil unit 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p can be encapsulated inside the flexible carpet 1, that is, between two opposite surfaces of the flexible carpet 1, and each coil unit 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p has at least two connection points with the flexible carpet 1, for example, each coil unit 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p can remain connected to the flexible carpet 1 along its entire length. Thus, when a force is applied to the flexible blanket 1 and the flexible blanket 1 deforms, the coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, and 4p supported by the flexible blanket 1 also deform with the flexible blanket 1 and are less likely to suffer structural damage. As a result, during actual use, the apparatus, and particularly the coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, and 4p therein, can closely conform to the body of the patient PP, thereby improving the quality of magnetic resonance imaging.

[0048] The device also includes an outlet box 5 mounted at an edge of the second portion 12. Cables (not shown) are led out through outlets 51 of the outlet box 5 and coupled to the coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, and 4p. The cables are used to transmit electrical signals between the coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, and 4p and an external computing device. The main structure of the outlet box 5 may be made of plastic.

[0049] In this embodiment, the flexible blanket 1 is generally rectangular and includes opposing first and second sides 1a, 1b, a first slit 1c extending from the first side 1a toward the second side, and a second slit 1d extending from the second side 1b toward the first side. The first slit 1c and the second slit 1d divide the flexible blanket 1 into a first portion 11 and a second portion 12 connected to each other. The boundary CB connecting the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 extends from the inner end 1c1 of the first slit 1c and terminates at the inner end 1d1 of the second slit 1d. The first portion 11 is intended to cover the neck of a subject PP, while the second portion 12 is intended to cover the chest of the subject PP. In addition, a portion of the multiple coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p (such as, at least a majority of each of the coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g) is supported by the first part 11 and is configured to deform following the deformation of the first part 11; another portion of the multiple coil units 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p (such as, at least a majority of each of the coil units 4h, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4n, 4o, 4p) is supported by the first part 12 and is configured to deform following the deformation of the second part 12.

[0050] Please see again Figure 1 and Figure 2 Combined with Figure 3The first portion 11 includes a first sub-portion 111 corresponding to the first slit 1c and a second sub-portion 112 corresponding to the second slit 1d. During use, the first sub-portion 111 deforms in the height direction DR3 of the subject PP to cover the right side of the neck of the subject PP, while the second sub-portion deforms in the height direction DR3 to cover the left side of the neck of the subject PP. Furthermore, at least a portion of at least one coil unit (such as coil unit 4d) is supported by the first sub-portion 111 and deforms in response to the deformation of the first sub-portion 111. At least a portion of at least another coil unit (such as coil unit 4g) is supported by the second sub-portion 112 and deforms in response to the deformation of the second sub-portion 112. As will be appreciated, due to the first slit 1c and the second slit 1d, the first and second sub-portions 111 and 112 are less susceptible to interference (entanglement) with the second portion 12 when deforming in the height direction DR3. This allows them to easily cover the right and left sides of the neck of the subject PP, respectively, to obtain an image of the neck of the subject PP.

[0051] In addition, the first portion 11 further includes a third sub-portion 113 corresponding to the connection boundary CB. This third sub-portion 113 is used to cover the front side of the neck of the subject PP. At least a portion of at least one coil unit (such as coil units 4e, 4f) is supported by this third sub-portion 113. In this way, the dimensions of the connection boundary CB and further the third sub-portion 113 in the left-right direction DR2 can be designed to correspond to the radial dimensions of the neck of the subject PP. The dimensions of the connection boundary CB in the left-right direction DR2 can be flexibly adjusted without having to be the same as the overall dimensions of the flexible blanket 1. This allows the third sub-portion 113 to easily cover the front side of the neck of the subject PP, thereby cooperating with the first sub-portion 111 and the second sub-portion 112 to better obtain an image of the neck of the subject PP.

[0052] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each of the first slit 1c and the second slit 1d is configured to extend obliquely in a manner such that the closer to the connection boundary CB, the closer to the first portion 11. Based on such a design, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, when the first sub-portion 111 and the second sub-portion 112 are deformed around the height direction DR3 to cover the neck of the subject PP, the coverage of the neck by the first sub-portion 111 and the second sub-portion 112 can be increased, thereby obtaining a better quality neck image.

[0053] In order to obtain better imaging effects at the transition area between the neck and chest of the subject PP, in this embodiment, the coil unit 4j (first coil unit) is configured to span both sides of the connection boundary CB, and thereby a portion of the coil unit 4j is supported by the first part 11 (more specifically, the third sub-part 113) and the other portion is supported by the second part 12.

[0054] Furthermore, both coil units 4e and 4f (second coil units) supported by the first portion 11 partially overlap with coil unit 4j, thereby achieving a better decoupling effect. Furthermore, the area of ​​coil unit 4j is larger than that of coil units 4e and 4f.

[0055] In actual use, the flexible blanket 1 will repeatedly bend and deform at the connection boundary CB (in the left-right direction DR2 around the subject PP), causing the coil unit 4j to be repeatedly bent. In this embodiment, the coil unit 4j, which is frequently bent during use, is designed to have a larger area, thereby improving its deformation resistance compared to smaller coil units. The smaller coil units 4e and 4f, which have relatively poor deformation resistance, are configured to be fully supported by the first portion 11, which helps to extend the service life of the coil units 4e and 4f.

[0056] Furthermore, the coil unit 4e and the coil unit 4f are arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane HP perpendicular to the connection boundary CB.

[0057] In other embodiments, the positions of the coil unit 4j and the coil units 4e and 4f may be interchanged.

[0058] See also Figure 3 In this embodiment, the first portion 11 is also used to cover the head of the subject PP, in particular, to cover the face of the head of the subject PP. Specifically, the first sub-portion 111 covers the right cheek of the subject PP, the second sub-portion 112 covers the left cheek of the subject PP, and the third sub-portion 113 covers the mouth and nose of the subject PP, and at least the coil unit 4a corresponds to the right cheek of the subject PP, at least the coil unit 4c corresponds to the left cheek of the subject PP, and at least the coil unit 4b corresponds to the mouth and nose of the subject PP. Through this design, the device can also perform combined imaging of the head of the subject PP, thereby further helping the physician to make a comprehensive judgment on the condition of the subject PP. In addition, in some embodiments, the second portion 12 can also cover the abdomen of the subject PP.

[0059] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the subject PP wears the device in a supine position.

[0060] More specifically, the first part 11, or the third sub-part 113, also has an opening 113a, which is used to expose the mouth and / or nose of the subject PP during the MRI examination, thereby increasing the fit between the first part 11 and the subject PP's face and helping the subject PP breathe smoothly, thus improving the user experience. Figure 1In the embodiment, the opening 113a is a through hole with a closed edge, and the coil unit 4b is arranged around the periphery of the through hole. In other embodiments, the opening 113a can be a notch recessed inward from the outer edge of the first portion 11, more specifically, the third sub-portion 113.

[0061] In some embodiments, the device further comprises an elastically deformable headband, the shape of which is similar to a headphone extending in a U-shape. When in use, the headband clamps the first sub-portion 111 and the second sub-portion 112 in opposite directions to secure the first portion 11 and thus the device to the head of the subject PP.

[0062] The device further comprises an elastically flexible edge reinforcement structure 2 which is joined to an edge portion of the flexible carpet body 1 .

[0063] In some embodiments, the elastic restoring force of the edge reinforcement structure 2 causes the flexible carpet body 1 to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In other words, the device, especially the flexible blanket body 1 of the device, can be easily maintained in the flattened state by the elastic restoring force of the edge reinforcement structure 2 itself. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flattened state shown helps to reduce the size and space occupied by the device when not in use.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the aforementioned edge reinforcement structure 2 includes an elastic rib 21 and a fabric 22 wrapping the elastic rib 21 . The fabric 22 is sewn to the edge of the flexible carpet body 1 via stitches 3 .

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance coil device for thyroid imaging, characterized in that: include: A deformable flexible blanket, the flexible blanket comprising a first side edge and a second side edge disposed opposite each other, a first slit extending from the first side edge toward the second side edge, and a second slit extending from the second side edge toward the first side edge, the first slit and the second slit dividing the flexible blanket into a first portion and a second portion connected to each other, the connecting boundary between the first portion and the second portion extending from an inner end of the first slit and terminating at an inner end of the second slit, the first portion being configured to cover a subject's neck, and the second portion being configured to cover a subject's chest; A plurality of coil units, a portion of which is supported by the first portion and configured to deform following deformation of the first portion, and another portion of which is supported by the second portion and configured to deform following deformation of the second portion.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first portion includes a first sub-portion corresponding to the first slit and a second sub-portion corresponding to the second slit, the first sub-portion covering the right side of the subject's neck by deforming around the subject's height direction, and the second sub-portion covering the left side of the subject's neck by deforming around the subject's height direction; At least a portion of at least one of the coil units is supported by the first sub-portion and deforms following deformation of the first sub-portion; At least a portion of at least another of the coil units is supported by the second sub-portion and deforms following deformation of the second sub-portion.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first portion includes a third sub-portion corresponding to the connection boundary, and the third sub-portion is used to cover the front side of the neck of the subject; At least a portion of at least one of the coils is supported by the third subsection.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that Also includes: An elastically deformable head clamp clamps and fixes the first portion on the subject's head in a manner of clamping the first sub-portion and the second sub-portion toward each other.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the first slit and the second slit is configured to extend obliquely so as to be closer to the first portion as it approaches the connection boundary.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of coil units include a first coil unit that spans both sides of the connection boundary, with a portion of the first coil unit being supported by the first portion and another portion of the first coil unit being supported by the second portion.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The plurality of coil units include a second coil unit, the second coil being entirely supported by the first portion or the second portion, and the second coil unit partially overlapping the first coil unit.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that There is only one first coil, and there are multiple second coils, and the multiple second coils are symmetrically arranged with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the connection boundary; An area of ​​the first coil unit is larger than an area of ​​the second coil unit.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: An elastically flexible edge reinforcement structure is provided at the edge of the flexible carpet body, and the elastic restoring force of the edge reinforcement structure biases the flexible carpet body toward a flattened state.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first portion is further used to cover the face of the subject, and the first portion has an opening for exposing the mouth and / or nose of the subject.

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