Head coil and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of medical equipment, and provides a head coil and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, the head coil comprises a housing, a coil assembly and a piezoelectric loudspeaker, the housing comprises an accommodating area used for placing the head of a human body; the coil assembly is arranged in the shell; the piezoelectric loudspeaker is arranged in the shell; wherein the shell is provided with a vibration part, and the piezoelectric loudspeaker is attached to the vibration part so as to transmit sound waves through the vibration part. The piezoelectric loudspeaker is directly integrated in the head coil, so that a patient can receive a voice instruction of an operator without additionally wearing an earphone, meanwhile, the vibration part on the shell is used for transmitting sound, and the shape of the original head coil of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer can be kept unchanged without opening a hole in the shell and adding other parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical equipment, and in particular to a head coil and an MRI scanner. Background Technology

[0002] In medical devices, especially during patient examinations and treatments, effective communication between patients and operators is crucial. To ensure a smooth examination process, patients typically need to wear headphones or listen to instructions from technicians. In medical imaging, MRI, and other examinations, headphone systems are frequently used to transmit technician instructions, reminders, or other necessary information.

[0003] In existing technologies, separate earpieces are usually provided for patients to use. However, during MRI examinations, the patient's head usually needs to be placed in a head coil. This causes the separate earpiece to interfere with the head coil, resulting in communication barriers between the operator and the patient. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a head coil and MRI machine that facilitates patients to receive voice commands from operators.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, one embodiment of this utility model provides a head coil for use in an MRI scanner, the head coil comprising:

[0006] A housing, the housing including a receiving area for placing a human head;

[0007] The coil assembly is disposed within the housing;

[0008] A piezoelectric loudspeaker is disposed within the housing;

[0009] The housing is provided with a vibrating part, and the piezoelectric loudspeaker is attached to the vibrating part to transmit sound waves through the vibrating part.

[0010] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the vibrating part is located on the side close to the receiving area, the piezoelectric loudspeaker is disposed inside the vibrating part, and the thickness of the vibrating part is less than the thickness of other areas of the housing.

[0011] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric loudspeaker includes a rear cover, which is disposed on the side of the piezoelectric loudspeaker away from the vibrating part, and a closed cavity is provided on the side of the rear cover near the vibrating part.

[0012] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the vibrating part includes a membrane, and the housing has a hole, which is sealed by the membrane.

[0013] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the material of the vibrating part is different from that of other areas of the housing.

[0014] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the piezoelectric loudspeaker includes a piezoelectric sheet and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is located between the piezoelectric sheet and the vibrating part.

[0015] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the piezoelectric loudspeaker includes a rear cover, which is disposed on the side of the piezoelectric sheet away from the vibrating part. A cavity is provided on the side of the rear cover near the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet seals the cavity through a gasket. The end of the rear cover away from the piezoelectric sheet is connected to the housing.

[0016] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the piezoelectric speaker is connected to an audio box, which is separate from the housing and includes an amplifier and an audio processing chip.

[0017] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the housing includes a bottom and two sides. The bottom is used to place the back of the human head, and the sides correspond to the sides of the human head. The piezoelectric speaker is provided on each of the two sides at the position corresponding to the human ear.

[0018] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, an earmuff is provided on the side of the side near the ear of the human head, and the middle channel of the earmuff communicates with the outer side of the vibrating part, and the middle channel covers the vibrating part.

[0019] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the head coil is disposed on the consultation table, the head coil includes an interface, the coil assembly and the piezoelectric speaker are connected to the interface, and the external wiring of the interface is routed to the internal wiring of the consultation table.

[0020] This utility model also discloses a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, including the aforementioned head coil.

[0021] This invention proposes a head coil and an MRI scanner, which integrates a piezoelectric speaker directly into the head coil. This allows patients to receive voice commands from the operator without wearing additional headphones. At the same time, the sound is transmitted by the vibrating part on the shell, eliminating the need for holes in the shell and additional components, thus maintaining the original shape of the head coil of the MRI scanner. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the head coil in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the piezoelectric loudspeaker structure in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the back cover and gasket structure of a piezoelectric loudspeaker in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Human head; 10. Shell; 11. Bottom; 12. Side; 13. Vibrating part; 14. Receiving area; 20. Piezoelectric speaker; 21. Adhesive layer; 22. Piezoelectric sheet; 23. Gasket; 24. Back cover; 40. Earmuff; 50. Interface. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features described therein can be combined with each other.

[0028] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0029] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important medical imaging technique with increasingly widespread applications in clinical diagnosis. During the examination, patients typically need to cooperate according to the operator's instructions, such as holding their breath and remaining still. The transmission of these instructions usually relies on voice communication. However, the high ambient noise levels during MRI scans, especially the strong magnetic field interference generated during scanning and the high-frequency noise from the equipment itself, make voice communication a significant challenge.

[0030] Currently, magnetic resonance imaging products on the market mainly use the following two communication methods:

[0031] The first method involves directly transmitting commands via a loudspeaker. In this method, the loudspeaker is typically mounted outside the MRI machine, and the operator uses it to deliver verbal commands to the patient. To ensure the patient can clearly hear the operator's instructions, the loudspeaker volume needs to be very high. However, this method has the following significant technical drawbacks and problems:

[0032] MRI scanners are typically housed in shielded rooms, which are primarily designed to prevent external radio frequency interference from entering the equipment. However, since sound insulation is not a primary design focus of shielded rooms, loud speaker noise can penetrate them, disrupting the quiet environment of other rooms. This is especially true when multiple scanners are operating adjacent to each other; the sound from the speakers can interfere with other examination rooms or operating rooms, impacting overall work efficiency.

[0033] Because speakers transmit sound directly through the air, high-frequency noise and equipment operating noise can severely interfere with speech, making it difficult for patients to hear instructions clearly. In such cases, the quality of speech information transmission is poor, which may lead to patients misunderstanding instructions and affect the accuracy and efficiency of the examination.

[0034] Excessive speaker volume not only fails to completely eliminate background noise interference, but also causes discomfort to patients, especially those undergoing long examinations, making it difficult to provide a good experience.

[0035] The second method uses headphones to transmit commands. Patients are equipped with headphones to isolate them from external noise and allow them to directly receive voice commands from the operator. While this method improves the clarity of voice communication to some extent, it still has the following problems:

[0036] The headphones are typically connected to the audio equipment in the operating room via a cable, which must pass through the working area of ​​the MRI examination table. The MRI examination table needs to move frequently during the examination, and the headphone cable may get caught or pulled by the table's movement, posing a significant risk of equipment damage and use. Furthermore, the arrangement and securing of the cable can affect the accuracy of the table's movement, increasing the complexity of equipment operation.

[0037] During an MRI scan, the patient typically lies on an MRI table, which is often movable to precisely position the patient within the device's magnetic field and imaging area. The patient must remain still during this process, and the table may require minor adjustments. This movement can cause the headphone wiring to be compressed, twisted, or stretched. Frequent table movement can also subject the wiring to mechanical stress, leading to compression or wear.

[0038] The head coil is a crucial component in MRI scans. Located around the patient's head, it receives and transmits radio frequency signals to generate high-quality images. The head coil requires space around the patient's head, and the headset also occupies space, potentially preventing the head from fitting properly into the coil and interfering with its operation. Head coils typically employ highly concentrated magnetic fields and complex radio frequency signal transmission systems, making them susceptible to external interference during operation, particularly electromagnetic interactions with external devices, which can negatively impact image quality.

[0039] To solve the above technical problems, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, one embodiment of this utility model provides a head coil for use in an MRI scanner. The head coil includes a housing 10, a coil assembly, and a piezoelectric speaker 20. The housing 10 refers to the outer shell of the head coil. The housing 10 has an inner cavity to accommodate other components. In this application, the inner side refers to the side located within the inner cavity of the housing 10, and the outer side refers to the side located outside the housing 10, that is, the outer side is the side of the housing 10 away from the inner cavity.

[0040] The housing 10 includes a receiving area 14 for placing a human head 1, ensuring the head is stably positioned correctly during scanning. A coil assembly is disposed within the housing 10. The coil assembly is used to receive and transmit radio frequency signals, thereby generating an image.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 10 includes a bottom 11 and two sides 12. The bottom 11 is used to place the back of the human head 1, and the sides 12 correspond to the sides of the human head 1. The piezoelectric speakers 20 are respectively disposed on the two sides 12 at positions corresponding to the ears. By placing the speakers near the ears, the sound propagation is ensured to be more natural.

[0042] A piezoelectric speaker 20 is housed within the housing 10. The piezoelectric speaker 20 operates by using an electrical signal to excite the piezoelectric element 22, causing mechanical deformation and vibration, thereby generating or converting sound. The piezoelectric speaker 20 is made of non-metallic materials such as ceramic, which prevents electromagnetic interference with the MRI radio frequency signals and avoids the adverse effects that traditional headphones might have on device performance. This not only ensures the normal operation of the device but also improves image quality. The piezoelectric speaker 20 is relatively small and can be easily integrated into the housing 10 structure of the head coil, saving space, simplifying the device design, and reducing the weight of the coil. The speaker outputs sound through the vibrating part 13 of the housing 10, eliminating the need for traditional headphones and allowing patients to avoid wearing additional equipment. Patients do not need to wear headphones separately, and operators do not need to adjust or maintain the headphone equipment, simplifying the entire examination process. Timely transmission of voice commands ensures that patients can quickly cooperate with breathing, breath-holding, and other operations, improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of the scan.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the piezoelectric loudspeaker 20 includes a piezoelectric element 22 and an adhesive layer 21, with the adhesive layer 21 located between the piezoelectric element 22 and the vibrating part 13. Specifically, the adhesive layer 21 is double-sided adhesive. Its main function is to reliably fix the piezoelectric element 22 onto the vibrating part 13, ensuring the stability and consistency of vibration during loudspeaker operation. As a medium for sound vibration transmission, the adhesive layer 21, situated between the piezoelectric element 22 and the vibrating part 13, directly affects the clarity and reproduction of sound quality due to its physical properties (such as elastic modulus and thickness). If the adhesive layer 21 is too soft, it may absorb excessive vibration energy, leading to reduced sound output; if it is too hard, it may cause resonance distortion in the vibrating part 13, affecting sound clarity. Therefore, the adhesive layer 21 needs to find a balance between hardness and elasticity to adapt to different vibration frequencies and avoid performance degradation due to mechanical mismatch. The material selection for the adhesive layer 21 should avoid containing metallic components or magnetic substances to ensure it does not interfere with the electromagnetic environment of MRI. Polyimide (PI), silicone-based double-sided tape, or acrylic-based double-sided tape with certain damping properties can be selected.

[0044] like Figure 2 , 3As shown, the piezoelectric loudspeaker 20 includes a rear cover 24, which is disposed on the side of the piezoelectric element 22 away from the vibrating part 13. A cavity is formed on the side of the rear cover 24 closest to the piezoelectric element 22, and the piezoelectric element 22 seals the cavity through a gasket 23. The end of the rear cover 24 away from the piezoelectric element 22 is connected to the housing 10. The presence of the rear cavity leads to a certain resonance phenomenon, with its frequency range mainly concentrated in the mid-frequency range. The larger the cavity volume, the lower the resonance frequency; the smaller the cavity, the higher the resonance frequency. By adjusting the volume of the rear cavity, the position of the resonance frequency can be controlled, thereby producing natural acoustic compensation in the mid-frequency range and improving the fidelity and clarity of vocal reproduction. The rear cover 24 protects the piezoelectric element 22 and improves the overall vibration resistance of the loudspeaker.

[0045] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the piezoelectric speaker 20 is connected to an audio box, which is separate from the housing 10. The audio box includes an amplifier and an audio processing chip. Integrating the piezoelectric speaker 20, audio processing, and amplifier components into the same housing 10 would occupy a significant amount of space. By separating the audio box from the piezoelectric speaker 20, the audio box contains only the amplifier and audio processing chip, effectively freeing up internal space within the housing 10. The independent design of the audio box allows the existing dimensions to be maintained in the head coil area, thus avoiding modifications to the original device. The independent audio box design not only helps reduce manufacturing and maintenance difficulties but also facilitates product upgrades. For example, in future versions, the processing chip or amplifier of the audio box can be upgraded separately without replacing the entire piezoelectric speaker 20 module.

[0046] The housing 10 is provided with a vibrating part 13, the area of ​​which is maximized to cover the sound propagation needs of the user in different positions (such as lying on their side or back). The large area of ​​the vibrating part 13 compensates for the relative misalignment between the user's ear and the vibration transmission area, improving the perception efficiency of the audio signal. A larger vibrating part 13 provides a more uniform vibration effect, avoiding the directional problems of sound propagation caused by an insufficiently small vibrating part 13 area, thus ensuring stronger sound diffusion and a more natural listening experience for the user. The piezoelectric speaker 20 is attached to the vibrating part 13 to transmit sound waves. In this design, the piezoelectric speaker 20 is directly attached to the vibrating part 13, transmitting sound waves through the vibration of the housing 10, eliminating the need for openings. Avoiding openings in the housing 10 maintains the device's waterproof and dustproof capabilities, improving overall durability and reliability. Keeping the housing 10 completely hole-free provides a more aesthetically pleasing design while preventing sound holes from affecting the product's structural strength or appearance.

[0047] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the vibrating part 20 includes a membrane, and the housing 10 has holes. The holes on the housing can be an array of multiple small holes or a single large hole, and the specific shape and number can be determined according to design requirements. The membrane seals the holes. That is, holes are made on the housing 10 at positions corresponding to the piezoelectric speaker 20, and then a membrane is applied at the position of the hole, with the hole and the membrane forming the vibrating part 20. Specifically, the membrane can be placed at the outer end of the hole to maintain the smoothness of the outer side of the housing. The material of the membrane needs to be selected according to the sound transmission requirements. Ideally, the material should have good sound wave transmittance and low reflectivity, so that the sound can be better transmitted from the vibrating part to the outside, producing a clear sound effect. For example, thin film materials such as polyester film (PET) and polyurethane film (PU) are suitable.

[0048] The material of the vibrating part may be the same as or different from that of other areas of the housing. If the vibrating part is made of a different material, it can be materials such as carbon fiber, basalt, or plastic. The vibrating part material can be specifically selected to have higher rigidity, lighter weight, or better damping performance, thereby improving the vibration efficiency and sound quality of the piezoelectric loudspeaker. Different materials can be optimized for specific needs such as vibration performance (e.g., frequency response range), durability, or sound directivity, thereby enhancing the overall functionality.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the vibrating part 13 is located closer to the receiving area 14, meaning it is closer to the human head 1 for better sound transmission. The piezoelectric speaker 20 is disposed inside the vibrating part 13, and the thickness of the vibrating part 13 is less than the thickness of other areas of the housing 10. This means the vibrating part 13 has a lower mass and less inertia. This allows the vibrations generated by the piezoelectric speaker 20 to be transmitted to the vibrating part 13 more quickly, thereby reducing energy loss. A thinner vibrating part 13 will effectively improve the vibration response speed, thereby optimizing the sound transmission effect, especially in the high-frequency and low-frequency resonance sections. Although the vibrating part 13 needs to be as thin as possible to improve vibration efficiency, it still needs to maintain sufficient mechanical strength to prevent the housing 10 from cracking or deforming due to external impacts or prolonged vibrations during daily use. Even though the vibrating part 13 itself is thin, the overall structural stability of the housing 10 can still be ensured by strengthening the edge design of the vibrating part 13 and increasing local support points. For example, the edges of the vibrating part 13 can be designed as reinforcing ribs or wrapping structures to ensure that the housing 10 will not crack even under large vibrations and external forces.

[0050] like Figure 1As shown, the inner cavity wall of the housing 10 is recessed to form the vibrating part 13. This ensures that the outer side of the housing 10 remains smooth, thus not damaging the original appearance of the housing 10. If the vibrating part 13 were added to the surface or exterior of the housing 10, it would result in an uneven appearance, affecting the aesthetics of the device. By designing the vibrating part 13 in the recessed area of ​​the inner cavity wall of the housing 10, interference with the appearance is avoided, maintaining the smoothness and consistency of the outer surface of the housing 10.

[0051] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the vibrating part 13 includes a planar boss disposed on its inner side, and the piezoelectric speaker 20 is disposed on the planar boss. The housing 10 typically has a curved surface, therefore the vibrating part 13 formed thereon also typically has a curved surface. Since the piezoelectric sheet 22 is difficult to fit against the curved surface, the planar boss is provided to fit the piezoelectric sheet 22. This allows the piezoelectric sheet 22 to be precisely mounted on the planar area, enabling it to better fit against the surface of the housing 10. The planar boss provides a flat contact surface for the piezoelectric sheet 22, avoiding problems such as poor contact and low vibration transmission efficiency that may occur when directly contacting a curved surface, thus ensuring the clarity and stability of the sound.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, an earmuff 40 is provided on the side of the side 12 near the ear of the human head 1. The central channel of the earmuff 40 communicates with the outer side of the vibrating part 13, ensuring that the sound generated by the vibrating part 13 is directly transmitted to the inside of the earmuff 40. This design allows the earmuff 40 to transmit sound waves to the user's ear more quickly and accurately when receiving vibration signals, thus ensuring the clarity, layering, and detail of the sound. The enveloping effect of the earmuff 40 effectively reduces the influence of external environmental noise, making the sound transmission purer. When the earmuff 40 covers the vibrating part 13 and is effectively connected to it, it can reduce the interference of external noise, allowing the user to focus more on the audio content. The central channel covers the vibrating part 13. In this way, the sound waves of the vibrating part 13 can be completely transmitted to the central channel of the earmuff 40, and the audio signal can be smoother and more stable during transmission, reducing distortion or waveform distortion caused by too many transmission paths and reflections.

[0053] The head coil includes an interface 50, and the coil assembly and the piezoelectric speaker 20 are connected to the interface 50, wherein the interface 50 can be a wireless interface or a wired interface.

[0054] This utility model also discloses a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, including the aforementioned head coil. A piezoelectric speaker 20 within the head coil is communicatively connected to the operator's microphone.

[0055] This invention proposes a head coil and an MRI scanner, integrating a piezoelectric speaker 20 directly into the head coil. This eliminates the need for patients to wear separate headphones to receive voice commands from the operator. By embedding the piezoelectric speaker 20 into the head coil structure, the need for separate headphones is eliminated, greatly simplifying the process for patients to wear headphones. Furthermore, the sound is transmitted via the vibrating part 13 on the housing 10, eliminating the need for openings or additional components on the housing 10, thus preserving the original shape of the MRI scanner's head coil. This integrated design avoids significant alterations to the head coil's external structure, allowing the MRI equipment to maintain its existing shape while adding voice communication functionality without interfering with the physical layout of the original equipment.

[0056] The present invention has been shown and described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments, and other solutions derived by those skilled in the art are also within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0057] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.

[0058] The above description of the embodiments shown in this utility model (including the content set forth in the abstract of the specification) is not intended to be an exhaustive enumeration or to limit the utility model to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments and examples of the utility model have been described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the utility model, as will be recognized and understood by those skilled in the art. As indicated, these modifications can be made to the utility model in accordance with the above description of the embodiments described herein, and such modifications will be within the spirit and scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A head coil, characterized in that, The head coil, used in an MRI scanner, includes: A housing, the housing including a receiving area for placing a human head; The coil assembly is disposed within the housing; A piezoelectric loudspeaker is disposed within the housing; The housing is provided with a vibrating part, and the piezoelectric loudspeaker is attached to the vibrating part to transmit sound waves through the vibrating part.

2. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibrating part is located on the side close to the receiving area, the piezoelectric loudspeaker is disposed inside the vibrating part, and the thickness of the vibrating part is less than the thickness of other areas of the housing.

3. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric loudspeaker includes a rear cover, which is disposed on the side of the piezoelectric loudspeaker away from the vibrating part, and a closed cavity is provided on the side of the rear cover near the vibrating part.

4. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibrating part includes a membrane, and the housing has a hole, which is sealed by the membrane.

5. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the vibrating part is different from that of other areas of the housing.

6. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric loudspeaker includes a piezoelectric element and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being located between the piezoelectric element and the vibrating part.

7. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric speaker is connected to an audio box, which is separate from the housing and includes an amplifier and an audio processing chip.

8. The head coil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a bottom and two sides. The bottom is used to place the back of the human head, and the sides correspond to the sides of the human head. The piezoelectric speaker is provided on each of the two sides at the position corresponding to the human ear.

9. The head coil according to claim 8, characterized in that, An earmuff is provided on the side of the ear near the human head. The middle channel of the earmuff communicates with the outer side of the vibrating part, and the middle channel covers the vibrating part.

10. A nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, characterized in that, Includes the head coil as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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