Coil device for animal magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance, in particular to a device for animal magnetic resonance imaging, and the device comprises a bearing body which defines a containing cavity and is configured to bear an examined animal in a manner that a first body part of the examined animal is located in the containing cavity and a second body part of the examined animal is located outside the containing cavity; the radio frequency coil is arranged near the outer side of the accommodating cavity and is used for receiving a magnetic resonance radio frequency signal from the first body part; the heating component is arranged on the bearing body in a manner of being opposite to the second body part, and is used for heating the second body part; when observed in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the heating component and the radio frequency coil are separated from each other, and the first direction is the arrangement direction of the first body part and the second body part.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance, and in particular to a device for animal magnetic resonance imaging. BACKGROUND

[0002] In scientific research work of magnetic resonance imaging examination on animals, especially small animals such as mice, how to better optimize the quality of magnetic resonance imaging and make the animals maintain their physiological state (such as body temperature state, metabolic state) in the natural environment as much as possible during the examination, and reduce the harm to the examined animals, are always the concerns of those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to solve at least one of the above technical problems, the present application provides a device for animal magnetic resonance imaging.

[0004] The coil device for animal magnetic resonance imaging provided by the present application comprises:

[0005] A carrier body defining a receiving cavity and configured to carry the examined animal in such a manner that a first body part of the examined animal is located in the receiving cavity and a second body part is located outside the receiving cavity;

[0006] A radio frequency coil arranged near the outside of the receiving cavity for receiving magnetic resonance radio frequency signals from the first body part;

[0007] A heating component arranged on the carrier body in a manner opposite to the second body part for heating the second body part;

[0008] Wherein, when viewed in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction, the heating component and the radio frequency coil are spaced apart from each other, and the first direction is the arrangement direction of the first body part and the second body part.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the heating component is an electric heating component including a non-magnetic resistor.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the heating component has a heating surface facing the second body part and a back surface away from the heating surface, and the back surface is covered with a thermal insulation layer.

[0011] In some possible implementations, further comprising:

[0012] A power supply circuit connected to the heating component to provide power to the heating component, and the power supply circuit includes an inductive device for suppressing radio frequency current.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the power supply circuit includes an LC parallel resonant circuit having the inductive device.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the carrier includes:

[0015] a main body portion defining the accommodation cavity and a coil mounting cavity outside the accommodation cavity, the radio frequency coil being mounted in the coil mounting cavity;

[0016] a holder for fixing and carrying the subject animal and configured to be detachably mounted to the main body portion in a manner of being inserted into the accommodation cavity after the subject animal is fixed to the holder;

[0017] and the heating member heats the second body portion via the holder.

[0018] In some possible implementations, a mounting position of the holder with respect to the main body portion is adjustable along the first direction.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the holder has a first surface in contact with the subject animal and a second surface away from the first surface, wherein the second surface is a convex curved surface parallel to and penetrating through the holder in the first direction;

[0020] an inner wall surface of the accommodation cavity includes a first wall surface portion supporting the holder in a manner of abutting against the second surface, the heating member has a heating surface supporting and heating the holder in a manner of abutting against the second surface, and the first wall surface portion and the heating surface are concave curved surfaces complementary to the convex curved surface shape;

[0021] wherein the first wall surface portion and the heating surface are flush with each other when viewed along the first direction.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the accommodation cavity is configured as a hole cavity penetrating in the first direction.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the coil surrounds the hole cavity.

[0024] According to the coil device provided in the application, the heating component heats the second body part outside the accommodating cavity compared with the first body part in the accommodating cavity, so that the heat provided by the heating component is not applied to the radio frequency coil near the accommodating cavity too much, the overheat of the radio frequency coil is avoided, and based on the heat transfer of the body of the animal under examination, the heat provided by the heating component is transferred from the second body part to the first body part, so as to help maintain the normal body temperature of the animal under examination, thereby maintaining the normal physiological metabolism and physiological function, preventing potential health problems caused by too low body temperature of the animal under examination, and reducing physiological risks in the process of magnetic resonance scanning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description only relate to some embodiments of the application, but not limit the application.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a plan view of the coil device provided in the embodiments of the application in a use state.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a structural view of the coil device provided in the embodiments of the application after the holder is removed.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a structural view of the holder provided in the embodiments of the application.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a connection view of the power supply circuit and the heating component provided in the embodiments of the application.

[0030] Explanation of reference signs:

[0031] RR-animal under examination, P1-first body part, P2-second body part;

[0032] DR1-first direction, DR2-second direction;

[0033] 1-radio frequency coil

[0034] 2-carrier;

[0035] 3-heating component, 3a-heating surface, 3b-back surface

[0036] 4-main body part, 4a-accommodating cavity, 4a1-first wall surface part;

[0037] 5-holder;

[0038] 6-carrier plate, 6a-first surface, 6b-second surface;

[0039] 7-ear bar;

[0040] 8 - anaesthetic mask;

[0041] 9 - power supply circuit, 9a - resonant circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the described embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort belong to the scope of protection of the present application. It can be understood that some technical means of the various embodiments described herein can be mutually replaced or combined without conflict.

[0043] In the description and claims of the present application, if there are terms “first”, “second”, etc., they are only used to distinguish the described objects, and do not have any sequential or technical meaning. Therefore, the objects defined with “first”, “second”, etc. can include one or more of the objects explicitly or implicitly. And, “one” or “a” and the like similar words do not represent a quantity limitation, but represent that there is at least one, and “multiple” represents no less than two.

[0044] Figs. 1 to 4 A coil device for animal magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the present device) provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, which mainly includes a carrier 2, a radio frequency coil 1 and a heating component 3.

[0045] The carrier 2 defines an accommodation cavity 4a, and the carrier 2 is configured to carry a subject animal RR in such a way that a first body part P1 of the subject animal RR is located within the accommodation cavity 4a, and a second body part P2 of the subject animal RR is located outside the accommodation cavity 4a.

[0046] The radio frequency coil 1 is arranged near the outside of the accommodation cavity 4a, for receiving magnetic resonance radio frequency signals from the first body part P1 to perform magnetic resonance imaging scanning on the first body part P1 (for example, all of the first body part P1, or only a part of the first body part P1). In some embodiments, the radio frequency coil 1 is configured with multiple, and the multiple radio frequency coils 1 are arranged in a coil array around the accommodation cavity 4a.

[0047] The heating component 3 is arranged on the carrier 2 in an opposite manner to the aforementioned second body part P2 for heating the second body part P2. And, the heating component 3 is spaced apart from the radio frequency coil 1 when viewed in a second direction DR2 perpendicular to the first direction DR1, wherein the first direction DR1 is the arrangement direction of the first body part PI and the second body part.

[0048] Compared to the first body part PI located inside the accommodating cavity 4a, the heating component 3 heats the second body part P2 located outside the accommodating cavity 4a, thus the heat provided by the heating component 3 is not applied more to the radio frequency coil 1 near the accommodating cavity 4a, which avoids overheating of the radio frequency coil 1, and based on the heat transfer of the subject animal RR's own body, the heat provided by the heating component 3 is transferred from the second body part P2 to the first body part PI, thereby helping to maintain the normal body temperature of the subject animal RR and thereby maintaining the normal physiological metabolism and physiological function, preventing potential health problems of the subject animal RR due to hypothermia, and reducing physiological risks during magnetic resonance scanning.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the heating component 3 is an electric heating component, and it includes a plurality of non-magnetic resistors. A power supply circuit 9 is connected to the heating component 3 to apply electric power to the heating component 3, so that an electric current flows through the heating component 3, especially the non-magnetic resistors of the heating component 3, thereby generating heat.

[0050] The power supply circuit 9 can include an inductive device for suppressing radio frequency current, and thereby suppressing coupling interference between the power supply circuit 9 and the radio frequency coil 1, more specifically, the power supply circuit 9 includes an LC parallel resonance circuit having the aforementioned inductive device. In this way, it helps the radio frequency coil 1 to collect stable high-quality magnetic resonance signals.

[0051] The heating component 3 has a heating surface 3a facing the second body part P2 and a back surface 3b facing away from the heating surface 3a, and the back surface 3b is covered with a heat insulation layer. In this way, it helps to promote the heat provided by the heating component 3 to be transmitted as much as possible to the second body part P2 of the subject animal RR, and to suppress heat loss.

[0052] The carrier 2 includes a main body part 4 and a holder 5.

[0053] The main body part 4 defines a hole cavity extending through in the aforementioned first direction DR1 and a coil mounting cavity on the outer peripheral side of the hole cavity, wherein the hole cavity constitutes the aforementioned accommodating cavity 4a, and the radio frequency coil 1 is mounted in the coil mounting cavity.

[0054] In some embodiments, the coil mounting cavity surrounds the hole cavity on the whole circumference, and a plurality of radio frequency coils 1 are arranged in a cylindrical manner on the outer peripheral side of the hole cavity, and adjacent radio frequency coils 1 partially overlap to decouple.

[0055] The holder 5 is used to fix and carry the subject animal RR, and the holder 5 is configured to be detachably mounted to the main body portion 4 in a manner of being inserted into the bore cavity after the subject animal RR is fixed to the holder 5. In other words, in use, the subject animal RR can be fixed to the holder 5 first, and then the holder 5 carrying the subject animal RR is mounted to the main body portion 4 in a manner of being inserted into the bore cavity, i.e. the mounting cavity. In this way, the fixing work on the body of the subject animal RR can be performed in a larger space outside the bore cavity, without being limited by the space of the bore cavity, so as to simplify the use of the device.

[0056] Further, the heating component 3 heats the second body portion P2 via the holder 5. That is, at least part of the heat provided by the heating component 3 is transferred to the second body portion P2 of the subject animal RR via the holder 5.

[0057] In addition, the mounting position of the holder 5 relative to the main body portion 4 is adjustable along the aforementioned first direction DR1, whereby the position of the subject animal RR relative to the radio frequency coil 1 and the bore cavity can be adjusted, and in turn the subject part (the first body portion) of the subject animal RR can be changed.

[0058] The holder 5 has a first surface 6a in contact with the subject animal RR and a second surface 6b facing away from the first surface 6a, wherein the second surface 6b is a convex surface parallel to and extending through the holder 5 in the first direction DR1. The inner wall surface of the bore cavity includes a first wall surface portion 4a1 supporting the holder 5 in abutment with the second surface 6b, and the aforementioned heating surface 3a of the heating component 3 supports and heats the holder 5 in abutment with the second surface 6b, and the first wall surface portion 4a1 and the heating surface 3a are complementary concave surfaces to the aforementioned convex surface shape. The first wall surface portion 4a1 and the heating surface 3a are flush when viewed along the first direction DR1. Through such a design, on the one hand, the first wall surface portion 4a1 and the heating surface 3a can guide the movement of the holder 5 along the first direction DR1, preventing the subject animal RR on the holder 5 from being positionally deviated from the first direction DR1, on the other hand, it helps to increase the heat transfer contact area between the heating surface 3a and the holder 5, so that the heat provided by the heating component 3 can be efficiently transferred to the holder 5 and the subject animal RR carried by the holder 5, and on the other hand, the first wall surface portion 4a1 and the heating surface 3a can provide reliable support force for the holder 5.

[0059] The fixator 5 includes a carrier plate 6, ear bars 7, and an anesthesia mask 8. The carrier plate 6 is formed in an elongated shape extending in a first direction DR1, and a second surface 6b of the aforementioned first surface 6a is defined by the carrier plate 6. The ear bars 7 are mounted to the carrier plate in a manner to hold the head of the subject animal RR in a manner to abut the ears of the subject animal RR in a left-right direction of the subject animal RR. The anesthesia mask 8 is mounted to the carrier plate 6 and is located on a side of the ear bars 7 opposite the subject animal RR. In use, the anesthesia mask 8 covers the mouth and nose of the subject animal RR in a manner to abut the face of the subject animal RR, and provides anesthetic breathing support to the subject animal RR.

Claims

1. A coil arrangement for magnetic resonance imaging of an animal, characterized by Comprising: a carrier body defining an accommodation cavity and configured to carry a subject animal in a manner that a first body part of the subject animal is located within the accommodation cavity and a second body part is located outside the accommodation cavity; a radio frequency coil disposed near an outside of the accommodation cavity for receiving magnetic resonance radio frequency signals from the first body part; a heating member provided on the carrier body in a manner opposite to the second body part for heating the second body part; wherein the heating member and the radio frequency coil are spaced apart from each other when viewed in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction, the first direction being an arrangement direction of the first body part and the second body part.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The heating member is an electric heating member including a non-magnetic resistor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The heating member has a heating surface facing the second body part and a back surface opposite to the heating surface, the back surface being covered with a heat insulation layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a power supply circuit connected to the heating member to supply electric power to the heating member, and including an inductive device for suppressing radio frequency current.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, The power supply circuit includes an LC parallel resonant circuit having the inductive device.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The carrier body includes: a main body portion defining the accommodation cavity and a coil mounting cavity outside the accommodation cavity, the radio frequency coil being mounted in the coil mounting cavity; a holder for fixing and carrying the subject animal and configured to be detachably mounted to the main body portion in a manner of being inserted into the accommodation cavity after the subject animal is fixed to the holder; and the heating member heats the second body part via the holder.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, An installation position of the holder with respect to the main body portion is adjustable in the first direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, The holder has a first surface in contact with the subject animal and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the second surface is a convex curved surface parallel to the first direction and penetrating through the holder in the first direction; an inner wall surface of the accommodation cavity includes a first wall surface portion supporting the holder in abutment with the second surface, the heating member has a heating surface supporting and heating the holder in abutment with the second surface, and the first wall surface portion and the heating surface are concave curved surfaces complementary to the convex curved surface shape; wherein the first wall surface portion and the heating surface are flush when viewed in the first direction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The accommodation cavity is configured as a hole cavity penetrating in the first direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The coil mounting cavity surrounds the hole cavity.

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