Head coil and magnetic resonance imaging system

Abstract

The utility model provides a head coil and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system. The head coil comprises: a lower coil defining a concave space; and an upper coil defining a concave space, the upper coil is pivotably mounted to the lower coil at a rear end, the upper coil and the lower coil together define a space for accommodating a patient's head when the upper coil is pivoted and buckled to the lower coil; characterized in that the head coil further comprises a locking device for locking the upper coil and the lower coil together, the locking device has a locking part, the locking part realizes locking through the mutually opposite walls of the lower coil and the upper coil, so that the locking part is not exposed outside the head coil. The head coil according to the utility model is simple in structure, convenient to assemble, easy to operate, the locking part realizes locking through the mutually opposite walls of the lower coil and the upper coil, the locking part is not exposed outside the head coil, and is not easily affected by foreign objects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system, and more particularly to a head coil and a magnetic resonance imaging system including such a head coil. Background Technology

[0002] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are widely used due to their high image clarity, ability to perform multi-planar thin-slice scans, high diagnostic accuracy for complex diseases, and painless and non-invasive nature. When a head scan is required, the patient lies on a patient support bed with their head placed on the lower coil of a head coil located at one end of the bed. The upper coil of the head coil is then attached to the lower coil, and the patient support bed, along with the patient lying on it, is inserted into the cavity defined by the magnet system for scanning.

[0003] The lower and upper coils of a head coil typically consist of a printed circuit board, electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board, a preamplifier electrically connected to the printed circuit board and amplifying the signal, and a plastic housing, respectively. With earlier head coils, the doctor had to remove the upper coil from the lower coil after each examination so the patient could leave, which was inconvenient for the doctor. A flip-type head coil has been proposed, in which the upper and lower coils are rotatably connected at the rear end via a hinge, allowing the doctor to simply flip the upper coil before and after the examination without disassembly. However, due to the flip-type function, the upper coil may vibrate relative to the lower coil, posing a risk of artifacts. Therefore, the upper coil needs to be securely locked to the lower coil during imaging. Existing head coil locking mechanisms are not only complex in structure and inconvenient to operate, but the locking components are also usually exposed on the outside. This makes the head coil not only complex to manufacture and inconvenient to use, but also susceptible to interference from external objects, which can hinder the locking mechanism from locking or releasing, thus affecting the normal operation of the head coil and even posing a potential danger to the patient.

[0004] Therefore, improvements are needed to the head coils used in existing magnetic resonance imaging systems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved head coil that overcomes at least one of the defects in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a head coil is provided, the head coil comprising:

[0007] The lower coil that defines the concave space; and

[0008] An upper coil defining a concave space, the upper coil being pivotally mounted to the lower coil at a rear end, wherein when the upper coil is pivoted and engaged with the lower coil, the upper coil and the lower coil together define a space for accommodating a patient's head;

[0009] The head coil is characterized in that it further includes a locking device for locking the upper coil and the lower coil together, the locking device having a locking member that achieves locking through the opposing walls of the lower coil and the upper coil, so that the locking part is not exposed outside the head coil.

[0010] Preferably, the housing of the lower coil and the housing of the upper coil have a first L-shaped step and a second L-shaped step respectively formed at the contact point where they are fastened together. When the upper coil is fastened to the lower coil, the vertical sidewall of the second L-shaped step overlaps tightly with the vertical sidewall of the first L-shaped step.

[0011] Preferably, the locking device includes a locking pin loaded by a spring and protruding from one of the vertical sidewalls of the first L-shaped step and the second L-shaped step toward the other, the locking pin constituting a locking component of the locking device, and a recess for receiving the locking pin is formed on the other of the vertical sidewalls of the first L-shaped step and the second L-shaped step, corresponding to the locking pin.

[0012] Preferably, the end of the locking pin protruding from the vertical sidewall has a hemispherical shape.

[0013] Preferably, the recess has a hemispherical concave shape that matches the end of the locking pin.

[0014] Preferably, the locking pin is placed in a recess on the support, and a spring is placed between the bottom of the recess and the locking pin, thereby forming the main body of the locking device, which is integrally mounted in the mounting and positioning part inside the housing of the head coil.

[0015] Preferably, the locking pin includes a body integral with the end, one of the sidewalls of the body and the cavity having a guide protrusion formed longitudinally, and the other of the sidewalls of the body and the cavity having a corresponding guide groove, the guide protrusion being inserted into the guide groove to guide the locking pin to move relative to the support.

[0016] Preferably, the locking device includes an operation button disposed at the front end of the housing of one of the upper coils and the lower coils, and a hook member disposed in the housing of one of the upper coils and the lower coils, coupled with the operation button and spring-loaded. The hook member constitutes the locking member of the locking device and has a hook portion extending from the housing of one of the upper coils and the lower coils toward the housing of the other of the upper coils and the lower coils. The locking device also includes a stop portion disposed in the housing of the other of the upper coils and the lower coils. When the upper coil pivots toward the lower coil and engages with it, the hook portion passes through a slot on the housing of the other of the upper coils and the lower coils and hooks onto the stop portion. When the operation button is pressed, the hook member moves toward the rear end of the head coil and disengages from the stop portion.

[0017] Preferably, the surface of the hook portion facing the stop portion and the surface of the stop portion facing the hook portion of the hook component are formed as opposing inclined surfaces to guide the hook portion to hook onto the stop portion.

[0018] Preferably, one of the upper coil and the lower coil is further provided with a top pusher loaded by another spring and protruding toward the other of the upper coil and the lower coil.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, characterized in that the magnetic resonance imaging system includes a head coil as described above.

[0020] The head coil of this invention is not only very simple in structure, easy to assemble and easy to operate, but also the locking part of the locking device achieves locking through the walls of the lower coil and the upper coil facing each other. The locking part is not exposed outside the head coil and is not easily affected by external objects. The locking device locks or releases smoothly, ensuring the normal operation of the head coil and eliminating potential dangers to the patient. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil is locked onto the lower coil;

[0022] Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil has been unlocked from the lower coil;

[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the head coil according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the upper coil of the head coil according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4a yes Figure 4 A magnified view of the circled area;

[0026] Figure 5 The main body of the locking device for the head coil according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the main body of the locking device shown.

[0028] Figure 7 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil is locked onto the lower coil;

[0029] Figure 8 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil has been unlocked from the lower coil;

[0030] Figure 9 The diagram schematically shows the upper coil of the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper housing of the upper coil has been detached from the lower housing of the upper coil to expose a portion of the locking device;

[0031] Figure 9a yes Figure 9 A magnified view of the circled area;

[0032] Figure 10 The lower coil of the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0033] Figure 10a yes Figure 10 A magnified view of the circled area;

[0034] Figure 11 The head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of this utility model Figure 7 A cross-sectional view showing the state to illustrate the locking device in detail; and

[0035] Figure 11a yes Figure 11 A magnified view of the circled area. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to examples. Those skilled in the art should understand that these exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0037] Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil is locked onto the lower coil; Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil has been unlocked from the lower coil. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the head coil 1 includes a lower coil 3 for supporting the patient's head and an upper coil 5 pivotally mounted to the lower coil 3 at its rear end via a pivot (not visible in the figure). The rear end of the head coil 1 refers to... Figure 1 and 2 The right end of the head coil, that is, the end furthest from the patient's body when the patient's head is contained within the head coil; the front end of head coil 1 refers to the end opposite to the rear end. Figure 1 and 2 The left end of the coil, i.e., the end facing the patient's body when the patient's head is contained in the head coil. The lower coil 3 and the upper coil 5 each define a concave space, and the upper coil 5 can be pivotally fastened to the lower coil 3, such that the upper coil 5 and the lower coil 3 together define a space S for accommodating the patient's head.

[0038] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the head coil according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3As shown, when the housing of the lower coil 3 and the housing of the upper coil 5 are fastened to the lower coil 3, the contact points between them are respectively formed as a first L-shaped step 7 and a second L-shaped step 9, so that when the upper coil 5 is fastened to the lower coil 3, the second L-shaped step 9 on the housing of the upper coil 5 fits snugly on the first L-shaped step 7 on the housing of the lower coil 3, that is, the vertical sidewall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 overlaps tightly with the vertical sidewall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7. Although in the preferred embodiment, the first L-shaped step 7 on the housing of the lower coil 3 is formed as an L-shaped step facing outward relative to the concave space, and the second L-shaped step 9 on the housing of the upper coil 5 is formed as an L-shaped step matching the first L-shaped step 7 and facing inward relative to the concave space, it should be understood that the first L-shaped step 7 on the housing of the lower coil 3 can be formed as an L-shaped step facing inward relative to the concave space, while the second L-shaped step 9 on the housing of the upper coil 5 can be formed as an L-shaped step matching the first L-shaped step 7 and facing outward relative to the concave space. Furthermore, the first L-shaped step 7 and the second L-shaped step 9 are formed on both sides of the concave spaces of the lower coil 3 and the upper coil 5, respectively. If desired, the two first L-shaped steps 7 formed on both sides of the concave space of the lower coil 3 can extend rearward to form a continuous first L-shaped step, and similarly, the two second L-shaped steps 9 formed on both sides of the concave space of the upper coil 5 can also extend rearward to form a continuous second L-shaped step.

[0039] According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head coil further includes a locking device that locks the lower coil 3 and the upper coil 5 together when the upper coil 5 is fastened to the lower coil 3. The locking device includes a locking pin 11 that is spring-loaded in the housing of the upper coil 5 and protrudes from the vertical sidewall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5 toward the concave space, and a recess 13 formed on the vertical sidewall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3 for receiving the locking pin 11. Figure 5 The main body of the locking device for the head coil according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the main body of the locking device shown. Figure 5 and 6As shown, the locking pin 11, which constitutes the locking component of the locking device, has a hemispherical end 11a protruding from the vertical sidewall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5. The hemispherical shape referred to here also includes a near-hemispherical shape. Thus, when the upper coil 5 pivots toward the lower coil 3 and engages with it, the hemispherical end 11a of the locking pin 11 interacts with the vertical sidewall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3 and overcomes the spring force, pressing the locking pin 11 back into the vertical sidewall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5, so that the upper coil 5 can be fully engaged with the lower coil 3. Once the upper coil 5 and lower coil 3 are fully engaged, the end 11a of the locking pin 11, under spring loading, protrudes again from the vertical sidewall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5 and is received in the recess 13 on the vertical sidewall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3, thus locking the lower coil 3 and the upper coil 5 tightly together. When it is necessary to open the head coil, simply hold the upper coil 5 with one hand and apply upward and backward force. The hemispherical end 11a of the locking pin 11 interacts with the vertical sidewall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3 and overcomes the spring force, pushing the locking pin 11 into the vertical sidewall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5. This causes the end 11a of the locking pin 11 to disengage from the recess 13 on the vertical sidewall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3, allowing the upper coil 5 to be flipped upward and backward to open the head coil. Preferably, the recess 13 has a hemispherical concave shape that matches the end 11a of the locking pin 11.

[0040] like Figure 5 and 6 As shown, the locking pin 11 may include a body 11b integral with the end 11a. The body 11b of the locking pin 11 can be installed into the cavity 15a on the support 15, and the spring 17 is placed between the bottom of the cavity 15a and the locking pin 11, thereby forming a... Figure 5 The main body of the locking device is shown. Preferably, the body 11b of the locking pin 11 has a guide protrusion 11c formed along the longitudinal direction, and a corresponding guide groove 15b is formed on the side wall of the cavity 15a of the support 15. The guide protrusion 11c on the locking pin 11 can be inserted into the guide groove 15b on the side wall of the cavity 15a to guide the locking pin 11 to move smoothly relative to the support 15. It should be understood that it is also feasible for the guide protrusion to be formed on the side wall of the cavity 15a, and the guide groove to be formed on the body 11b of the locking pin 11 accordingly. In addition, the body 11b of the locking pin 11 is preferably cylindrical, and the cavity 15a of the support 15 has a matching circular cross-section.

[0041] Figure 4This is an exploded perspective view of the upper coil of the head coil according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper housing of the upper coil has been removed from the lower housing of the upper coil. Figure 4a yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of the central circle portion. A mounting and positioning part 19 is formed on the lower housing of the upper coil. A support 15 (i.e., the main body of the locking device) equipped with a spring 17 and a locking pin 11 can be placed at the mounting and positioning part 19, such that the end 11a of the locking pin 11 protrudes from a hole in the lower housing of the upper coil into a concave space under the action of the spring 17. The housing of the upper coil is typically injection molded, and therefore the mounting and positioning part 19 is preferably integrally formed with the lower housing of the upper coil.

[0042] The locking device for the head coil according to the first preferred embodiment of this utility model is not only simple in structure and easy to assemble, but also allows the head coil to be opened and closed with one hand and is easy to operate. Moreover, the locking part of the locking device is located between the vertical side wall 7a of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3 and the vertical side wall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5. That is, the locking pin 11, which constitutes the locking component of the locking device, achieves locking through the walls of the lower coil and the upper coil that are opposite to each other. The locking part is not exposed to the outside of the head coil and is not easily affected by external objects. The locking or releasing of the locking device is relatively smooth, ensuring the normal operation of the head coil and eliminating potential dangers to the patient.

[0043] Figure 7 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil is locked onto the lower coil; Figure 8 The diagram schematically shows the head coil according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper coil has been unlocked from the lower coil. As... Figure 7 and 8 As shown, the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the head coil according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, except that the structure and setting position of the locking device are different. Therefore, the description of the parts that are the same as the head coil of the first preferred embodiment is omitted.

[0044] Figure 9 The diagram schematically shows the upper coil of the head coil according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper housing of the upper coil has been detached from the lower housing of the upper coil to expose a portion of the locking device. Figure 9a yes Figure 9 A magnified view of the circled area; Figure 11 The head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of this utility model Figure 7 A cross-sectional view showing the state to illustrate the locking device in detail; and Figure 11a yes Figure 11A magnified view of the circled area. (See image.) Figure 9 , 9a As shown in 11 and 11a, the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an operation button 19 disposed at the front end of the housing of the upper coil 5 and a hook member 23 disposed in the housing of the upper coil 5, combined with the operation button 19, and loaded by a spring 21. One end of the upper portion 23a of the hook member 23, which constitutes the locking member of the locking device, is tightly abutted against or connected to the operation button 19, and the other end of the upper portion 23a of the hook member 23 is loaded by the spring 21 held in the housing of the upper coil 5. The lower portion 23b of the hook member 23 forms a hook portion 23c, which extends from a slot at the bottom of the vertical side wall 9a of the second L-shaped step 9 on the upper coil 5. By pressing the operation button 19 towards the inside of the housing of the upper coil 5 and overcoming the force of the spring 21, the hook member 23 can be moved toward the rear end of the head coil. When the operation button 19 is released, the hook member 23 moves toward the front end of the head coil under the action of the spring 21.

[0045] Figure 10 The lower coil of the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 10a yes Figure 10 A magnified view of the circled area. (See image.) Figure 10 , 10a As shown in 11 and 11a, a slot 7c is correspondingly formed on the horizontal sidewall 7b of the first L-shaped step 7 on the lower coil 3, and a stop 25 is formed at the front end of the slot 7c. When the upper coil 5 pivots toward the lower coil 3 and engages with it, the hook portion 23c of the hook member 23 on the upper coil 5 extends into the housing of the lower coil 3 through the slot 7c on the lower coil 3, and moves toward the front end of the head coil under the action of the spring 21, so that the hook portion 23c hooks onto the stop 25, thereby locking the lower coil 3 and the upper coil 5 tightly together. When it is necessary to open the head coil, simply press the operation button 19 toward the inside of the upper coil 5 to overcome the force of the spring 21, so that the hook portion 23c of the hook member 23 on the upper coil 5 moves toward the rear end of the head coil and disengages from the stop 25, thereby allowing the upper coil 5 to be flipped upward and backward to open the head coil. In order to automatically lock the upper coil 5 and the lower coil 3 together without pressing the operation button 19 when the upper coil 5 pivots toward the lower coil 3 and engages with it, the hook portion 23c of the hook component 23 facing the surface 23d of the stop portion 25 and the surface 25a of the stop portion 25 facing the hook portion 23c are preferably formed as opposing inclined surfaces to guide the hook portion 23c to hook onto the stop portion 25.

[0046] A push pin 29, loaded by another spring 27 and protruding from the horizontal sidewall 7b of the first L-shaped step 7, can also be provided on the lower coil 3. When the upper coil 5 is fastened to the lower coil 3 and locked together, the push pin 29 is pressed into the lower coil. When the operation button 19 is pressed, causing the hook portion 23c of the hook member 23 on the upper coil 5 to disengage from the stop portion 25, the push pin 29, under the action of the other spring 27, protrudes upward from the horizontal sidewall 7b of the first L-shaped step 7, thereby pushing the upper coil 5 away from the lower coil 3 to prevent the upper coil 5 from accidentally locking together with the lower coil 3 again, thus facilitating the opening operation of the head coil.

[0047] Although in the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first L-shaped step 7 is formed on the housing of the lower coil 3 and a second L-shaped step 9 is formed on the housing of the upper coil 5, it should be understood that it is also feasible for neither the housing of the lower coil 3 nor the housing of the upper coil 5 to have an L-shaped step formed. Furthermore, it is also feasible for the hook member 23 to be provided on the lower coil 3 and the stop member 25 to be provided on the upper coil 5. In addition, locking devices are provided on both sides of the space S for accommodating the patient's head; it should be understood that it is also feasible for a locking device to be provided on only one side.

[0048] The locking device for the head coil according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is not only very simple in structure, easy to assemble and easy to operate, but also the hook component constituting the locking device is locked through the walls of the lower coil and the upper coil facing each other. The locking part is not exposed outside the head coil and is not easily affected by external objects. The locking device locks or releases smoothly, ensuring the normal operation of the head coil and eliminating potential dangers to the patient.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a limitation thereof. The scope of the present invention is determined by the technical solutions defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A head coil, the head coil comprising: The lower coil (3) defines the concave space; as well as An upper coil (5) defines a concave space, the upper coil being pivotally mounted at its rear end to the lower coil (3), the upper coil and the lower coil together defining a space (S) for accommodating the patient's head when the upper coil is pivoted and engaged with the lower coil; The head coil is characterized in that it further includes a locking device for locking the upper coil and the lower coil together, the locking device having a locking member that achieves locking through the opposing walls of the lower coil and the upper coil, so that the locking part is not exposed outside the head coil.

2. The head coil as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing of the lower coil and the housing of the upper coil have a first L-shaped step (7) and a second L-shaped step (9) respectively formed at the contact point where they are fastened together. When the upper coil is fastened to the lower coil, the vertical sidewall (9a) of the second L-shaped step overlaps tightly with the vertical sidewall (7a) of the first L-shaped step.

3. The head coil as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The locking device includes a locking pin (11) that is spring-loaded and protrudes from one of the vertical sidewalls (7a) of the first L-shaped step and the second L-shaped step (9a) toward the other, the locking pin constituting a locking component of the locking device, and a recess (13) for receiving the locking pin is formed on the other of the vertical sidewalls (7a) of the first L-shaped step and the second L-shaped step (9a).

4. The head coil as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The end (11a) of the locking pin protruding from the vertical sidewall has a hemispherical shape.

5. The head coil as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The recess is a hemispherical concave shape that matches the end (11a) of the locking pin.

6. The head coil as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The locking pin is placed in a cavity (15a) on the support (15), and the spring (17) is placed between the bottom of the cavity and the locking pin, thereby forming the main body of the locking device, which is integrally mounted in the mounting and positioning part inside the housing of the head coil.

7. The head coil as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The locking pin includes a body (11b) integral with the end, one of the sidewalls of the body and the cavity having a guide protrusion (11c) formed longitudinally, and the other of the sidewalls of the body and the cavity having a corresponding guide groove (15b). The guide protrusion is inserted into the guide groove to guide the locking pin to move relative to the support.

8. The head coil as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking device includes an operation button (19) disposed at the front end of the housing of one of the upper coils and the lower coils, and a hook member (23) disposed in the housing of one of the upper coils and the lower coils, combined with the operation button and spring-loaded. The hook member constitutes the locking member of the locking device and has a hook portion (23c) extending from the housing of one of the upper coils and the lower coils toward the housing of the other of the upper coils and the lower coils. The locking device also includes a stop portion (25) disposed in the housing of the other of the upper coils and the lower coils. When the upper coil pivots toward the lower coil and engages with it, the hook portion (23c) passes through a slot (7c) on the housing of the other of the upper coils and the lower coils and hooks onto the stop portion. When the operation button is pressed, the hook member moves toward the rear end of the head coil and disengages the hook portion from the stop portion.

9. The head coil as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The hook portion of the hook component has a surface (23d) facing the stop portion and a surface (25a) facing the hook portion, which are formed as opposing inclined surfaces to guide the hook portion to hook onto the stop portion.

10. The head coil as described in claim 8, characterized in that, One of the upper coil and the lower coil is also provided with a top pusher (29) loaded by another spring and protruding toward the other of the upper coil and the lower coil.

11. A magnetic resonance imaging system, characterized in that, The magnetic resonance imaging system includes a head coil as described in any one of claims 1-10.

Images