Head coil assembly and magnetic resonance imaging system

Abstract

The utility model provides a head coil and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system. Head coil subassembly includes: base, lower coil, lower coil is pivotably installed on base on the front end, so that lower coil can be lifted in the rear end relative to base, a plurality of locking recesses are arranged on base along the vertical direction interval, and locking pin is arranged in lower coil and is loaded by spring, spring tends to push locking pin out of lower coil and into locking recess, characterized by, head coil subassembly further includes operating mechanism for operating locking pin, operating mechanism is arranged to adjust the position of lower coil relative to base only by single -handed operation. The head coil subassembly according to the utility model can make the patient feel comfortable and adjust the position of lower coil relative to base, and the structure is simple, convenient to assemble and easy to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system, and more particularly to a head coil assembly and a magnetic resonance imaging system including such a head coil assembly. 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 include 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. Normally, placing the patient's head on the lower coil of the head coil ensures both comfort and a clear image. However, patients with cervical spine abnormalities (such as ankylosing spondylitis, torticollis, or rounded back) or certain trauma patients cannot easily place their heads on the lower coil. To allow these patients to place their heads on the lower coil, the rear end of the lower coil (the end furthest from the patient's body) usually needs to be tilted and raised. One existing method involves placing a height-adjustable pad on the bottom side of the lower coil to achieve this tilting and raising of the rear end; another method uses a sliding module to raise the head base, controlled by operating components at different positions. However, in practical applications, using a height-adjustable pad to tilt and raise the rear end of the lower coil is inconvenient and time-consuming; while the design of the sliding module and the operating parts being in different positions is not only relatively complex and inconvenient to operate, but also causes the patient's head to fall quickly when the head base tilting module is released, resulting in discomfort for 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 assembly that overcomes at least one of the defects in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a head coil assembly is provided, the head coil assembly comprising: Base; A lower coil, which is pivotally mounted to the base at the front end, such that the lower coil can be raised relative to the base at the rear end; A plurality of locking grooves are provided on the base at intervals along the vertical direction; and A locking pin, provided within the lower coil and spring-loaded, is inclined by the spring to push the locking pin out of the lower coil and into the locking groove. The head coil assembly is characterized in that it further includes an operating mechanism for operating the locking pin, the operating mechanism being configured to adjust the position of the lower coil relative to the base using only one hand.

[0007] Preferably, the operating mechanism includes a rotating shaft disposed within the lower coil, a push rod fixedly disposed on the rotating shaft with its other end abutting against the locking pin, an operating lever fixedly disposed on the rotating shaft, and a handle connected to the operating lever and extending from the lower coil.

[0008] Preferably, the push rod is configured to abut against the locking pin on one side and not contact the locking pin on the opposite side.

[0009] Preferably, the locking pin is provided with a protrusion, and the push rod directly abuts against the protrusion.

[0010] Preferably, the push rod and the operating lever are spaced apart on the rotating shaft and arranged in a parallel direction on two opposite sides of the rotating shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the handle is longitudinally movable and held on the lower coil, and the front end of the handle is provided with a through hole through which the operating rod passes so that the handle can be loosely connected to the operating rod.

[0012] Preferably, the base includes a base portion for accommodating the lower coil and an end portion located at the rear end of the base portion and protruding relative to the base portion, wherein a locking block is provided on the side of the end portion facing the base portion, and a plurality of locking grooves are spaced apart in the vertical direction on the locking block.

[0013] Preferably, the surface of the locking block facing the lower coil is formed as a concave arc surface, and the surface of the lower coil facing the locking block is formed as a convex arc surface that matches the concave arc surface.

[0014] Preferably, the top wall of the locking groove between the lowermost and uppermost locking grooves in the plurality of locking grooves is configured as an outwardly flared inclined wall, and the locking pin has a matching inclined wall corresponding to the inclined wall at one end facing the locking groove.

[0015] Preferably, the head coil assembly further includes an upper coil pivotally mounted to the lower coil at the rear end.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, characterized in that the magnetic resonance imaging system includes the head coil assembly as described above.

[0017] The head coil assembly of this invention not only allows for adjustment of the position of the lower coil relative to the base in a manner comfortable for the patient by reducing the spacing between multiple locking grooves, but also includes an operating mechanism for operating the locking pin. The operating mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the lower coil relative to the base using only one hand. Therefore, the head coil assembly has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and is easy to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 The base and lower coil of the head coil assembly according to the present invention are schematically shown in a perspective view, wherein the lower coil is in a normal position relative to the base; Figure 2 The base and lower coil of the head coil assembly according to the present invention are schematically shown in a perspective view, wherein the lower coil is in a raised position relative to the base at the rear end; Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly, corresponding to the state, viewed from the rear. Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly according to the present invention, viewed from the bottom side. Figure 5 Is with Figure 1 The longitudinal sectional view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly corresponding to the state shown. Figure 6 Is with Figure 2 The longitudinal sectional view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly corresponding to the state shown; and Figure 7 Is with Figure 6 A similar longitudinal sectional view, in which part of the lower coil housing and electrical components are removed to show its internal structure more clearly. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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.

[0020] A head coil typically consists of an upper coil and a lower coil. When a patient's head needs to be scanned, the patient lies on a patient support bed and places their head on the lower coil of the head coil located at one end of the patient support bed. Then, the upper coil of the head coil is fastened onto the lower coil, and the patient support bed, along with the patient lying on it, is sent into the cavity defined by the magnet system for scanning. Figure 1 The base and lower coil of the head coil assembly according to the present invention are schematically shown in a perspective view, wherein the lower coil is in a normal position relative to the base; Figure 2 The base and lower coil of the head coil assembly according to the present invention are shown schematically in a perspective view, wherein the lower coil is in a raised position relative to the base at the rear end (i.e., the end away from the patient's body). Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A perspective view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly, showing the corresponding state, viewed from the rear; and Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly according to the present invention, viewed from the bottom side. The upper coil is typically pivotally mounted to the lower coil at the rear end. Since the present invention does not involve improvements to the upper coil, the upper coil is not shown in the drawings and a detailed description of the upper coil will be omitted below.

[0021] In addition to the upper and lower coils, the head coil assembly 1 according to this invention also includes a base 3. The lower coil 5 is pivotally mounted to the base 3 at its front end (i.e., the end closer to the patient's body), such that the lower coil 5 can be raised relative to the base 3 at its rear end. The base 3 includes a base portion 3a for housing the main body portion 5a of the lower coil 5 and an end portion 3b located at the rear end of the base portion 3a and protruding relative to the base portion. Figure 4 As shown, the base portion 3a of the base 3 may have an opening 7 at its front end. A mounting shaft 9 is provided in or below the opening 7. A groove 13 is formed on the mounting protrusion 11 on the bottom side of the lower coil 5. By inserting the mounting protrusion 11 on the bottom side of the lower coil 5 into the opening 7 and engaging the mounting shaft 9 into the groove 13 on the mounting protrusion 11, the lower coil 5 can be pivotally and easily removed and mounted onto the base 3. It should be understood that it is also feasible for the mounting shaft to be located on the lower coil and the mounting protrusion to be located on the base. Furthermore, it is also feasible to pivotally mount the lower coil onto the base in other ways, such as by having the mounting shaft pass through the base and the lower coil.

[0022] Figure 5 Is with Figure 1 The image shows a longitudinal sectional view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly corresponding to the state. Figure 6 Is with Figure 2The longitudinal sectional view of the base and lower coil of the head coil assembly corresponding to the state, and Figure 7 Is with Figure 6 A similar longitudinal sectional view, in which part of the lower coil housing and electrical components are removed to more clearly show its internal structure. (See also...) Figure 5-7 As shown, a locking block 15 is provided on the side of the end portion 3b of the base 3 facing the base portion 3a. The locking block 15 has a plurality of locking grooves 15a spaced apart in the vertical direction. In a preferred embodiment, each locking block 15 has three locking grooves; it should be understood that providing two or more locking grooves is also feasible. Two locking blocks 15 are spaced apart in the horizontal direction on the base 3; providing only one or more locking blocks is also feasible. The locking block 15 can be fixedly installed on the end portion 3b of the base 3 or integrally formed with the end portion 3b of the base 3. Of course, it is also feasible for the locking grooves 15a to be directly formed on the end portion 3b of the base 3. A locking pin 19 loaded by a spring 17 is provided in the main body 5a of the lower coil 5, corresponding to the locking groove 15a. The spring 17 always tends to push the locking pin 19 out of the main body 5a of the lower coil 5 and into the locking groove 15a on the locking block 15, so that the lower coil 5 can be kept in a fixed position relative to the base 3.

[0023] The head coil assembly according to this utility model also includes an operating mechanism 21 for operating the locking pin 19. The operating mechanism 21 is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the lower coil relative to the base using only one hand. In a preferred embodiment, the operating mechanism 21 includes a rotating shaft 23 disposed within the main body 5a of the lower coil 5. A push rod 25 fixed relative to the rotating shaft 23 is disposed on the rotating shaft 23. The other end of the push rod 25 abuts against the locking pin 19 and is subjected to the pushing force of the spring 17. The number of push rods 25 corresponds to the number of locking pins 19, so that each push rod abuts against a corresponding locking pin 19. To ensure that the locking pin 19 can be smoothly pushed into the locking groove 15a under the action of the spring 17, the push rod 25 is configured to abut against the locking pin 19 on one side and not contact the locking pin 19 on the opposite side, allowing the push rod 25 to move flexibly with the locking pin 19. Although an elongated groove can be provided on the locking pin 19, which is shaped like a rod or column, to accommodate the push rod and allow its movement, in a preferred embodiment, a protrusion 19a can be provided on the locking pin 19 so that the push rod 25 directly abuts against the protrusion. This not only simplifies the structure of the operating mechanism 21 but also makes it particularly easy to assemble. An operating lever 27 fixed relative to the rotating shaft 23 is also provided on the rotating shaft 23, and a handle 29 is connected to the operating lever 27 and extends from the main body 5a of the lower coil 5. Thus, by gripping the handle 29 and pulling the operating lever 27, the rotating shaft 23 can be rotated, thereby causing the push rod 25, which abuts against the locking pin 19, to overcome the force of the spring 17 and move the locking pin 19 out of the locking groove 15a. In a preferred embodiment, there are two operating levers 27, but it should be understood that one or more operating levers are also feasible. Preferably, the push rod 25 and the operating rod 27 are spaced apart on the rotating shaft 23 and arranged in parallel directions on two opposite sides of the rotating shaft (i.e., arranged parallel in opposite directions), which makes it easy and effortless to pull the operating mechanism 21. Of course, the push rod 25 and the operating rod 27 can be arranged on the same side of the rotating shaft 23 to push the operating rod to adjust the position of the lower coil relative to the base.

[0024] The handle 29 has a through hole 29a at its front end. The size of the through hole 29a is larger than that of the operating lever 27, allowing the operating lever 27 to pass freely through the through hole 29a, so that the handle 29 can be loosely connected to the operating lever 27. This not only simplifies the structure of the handle and the operating lever and makes installation convenient, but also allows the rotating shaft 23 to rotate freely and flexibly with the push rod and the operating lever simply by moving the handle 29 along a generally planar direction. The handle 29 preferably includes a grip handle 29b and a handle body 29c integral with the grip handle 29b. The through hole 29a is formed at the end of the handle body 29c opposite to the grip handle 29b. A longitudinal guide groove 29d is formed on the handle body 29c. The handle body is longitudinally movable and held on the lower coil by a limiting block 33 fixed to the outer shell of the lower coil by means of a screw 31 passing through the longitudinal guide groove 29d.

[0025] The operation of the head coil assembly according to this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Under normal circumstances, the lower coil of the head coil assembly according to this utility model is positioned relative to the base as follows: Figure 1 The normal position shown is suitable for a typical patient to place their head into the lower coil. At this time, as... Figure 5 As shown, the locking pin 19, under the action of the spring 17, is inserted into the lowest locking groove 15a on the locking block 15 on the base 3, so that the lower coil 5 is fixed in the normal position relative to the base 3. When a patient with abnormal cervical spine lesions or some trauma patients needs to adjust the position of the lower coil 5 relative to the base 3, the medical staff uses one hand to grasp the grip handle 29b of the handle 29, pulls it outward and lifts it upward. The handle 29 moves longitudinally outward relative to the lower coil 5, and drives the rotating shaft 23 to rotate counterclockwise through the operating lever 27, and then pushes the locking pin 19 out of the locking groove 15a by the push rod 25 against the locking pin 19. At the same time, under the action of the upward force, the lower coil 5 is raised relative to the base 3 by its rear end around the front mounting shaft 9. When the rear end of the lower coil 5 is raised relative to the base 3 to the desired position, the outward pulling force acting on the handle 29 is released. The locking pin 19, under the action of the spring, moves into another locking groove 15a at the corresponding position, thereby fixing the lower coil 5 relative to the base 3 in the raised rear end position. Figure 2 , 6 As shown in Figure 7, graduations or markings can be provided to the base 3 and the lower coil 5 to indicate the corresponding positions of the locking pin 19 and the different locking grooves 15a to medical personnel. Through this operation, the rear end of the lower coil 5 can be adjusted to different elevation positions relative to the base 3 as needed.

[0027] Among the multiple locking grooves 15a spaced apart vertically on the locking block 15, the top wall of the locking groove between the lowermost and uppermost locking grooves can be configured as an outwardly flared inclined wall 15b. The locking pin 19 has a matching inclined wall 19b corresponding to this inclined wall 15b at its end facing the locking groove. This allows medical personnel to adjust and fix the lower coil 5 relative to the base 3 at different raised positions by using only a few fingers to lift the lower coil housing when it is inconvenient to operate the handle 29b with their entire hand. The lower coil 5 can be adjusted and fixedly held relative to the base 3 at different raised positions by the guide between the inclined wall 15b of the locking groove 15a and the matching inclined wall 19b of the locking pin 19, even when it is inconvenient to operate the handle 29b with their entire hand. Although the top walls of the lowermost and uppermost locking grooves can also be configured as outwardly flared inclined walls, this is generally not done to avoid accidental operation. To prevent the gap between the lower coil housing and the locking block 15 from widening when the lower coil 5 is raised relative to the base 3 around the front mounting shaft 9, thus preventing foreign objects from entering the gap between the lower coil housing and the locking block 15 and obstructing the movement of the lower coil relative to the base, the surface 15c of the locking block 15 facing the lower coil 5 can be formed as a concave arc surface, and the surface 5b of the lower coil 5 facing the locking block 15 can be formed as a convex arc surface that matches the concave arc surface.

[0028] The head coil assembly of this invention not only allows patients to comfortably adjust the position of the lower coil relative to the base by reducing the spacing between multiple locking grooves, but also includes an operating mechanism for operating the locking pin. The operating mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the lower coil relative to the base using only one hand, allowing medical staff to use their other hand for other operations. Therefore, the head coil assembly has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, and is easy to operate.

[0029] 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 assembly, the head coil assembly comprising: Base (3); The lower coil (5) is pivotally mounted to the base (3) at the front end, such that the lower coil (5) can be raised relative to the base (3) at the rear end; A plurality of locking grooves (15a) are provided on the base (3) at intervals along the vertical direction; and A locking pin (19) is disposed within the lower coil (5) and loaded by a spring (17), the spring (17) tending to push the locking pin (19) out of the lower coil (5) and into the locking groove (15a); The head coil assembly is characterized in that it further includes an operating mechanism (21) for operating the locking pin (19), the operating mechanism (21) being configured to adjust the position of the lower coil relative to the base by operating with only one hand.

2. The head coil assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The operating mechanism (21) includes a rotating shaft (23) disposed within the lower coil (5), a push rod (25) fixedly disposed on the rotating shaft (23) with its other end abutting against the locking pin (19), an operating lever (27) fixedly disposed on the rotating shaft (23), and a handle (29) connected to the operating lever (27) and extending from the lower coil (5).

3. The head coil assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The push rod (25) is configured to abut against the locking pin (19) on one side and not contact the locking pin (19) on the opposite side.

4. The head coil assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The locking pin (19) is provided with a protrusion (19a), and the push rod (25) directly abuts against the protrusion.

5. The head coil assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The push rod (25) and the operating rod (27) are spaced apart on the rotating shaft (23) and are arranged in a parallel direction on two opposite sides of the rotating shaft.

6. The head coil assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The handle (29) is longitudinally movable and held on the lower coil, and the front end of the handle (29) is provided with a through hole (29a), through which the operating rod (27) passes so that the handle (29) can be loosely connected to the operating rod (27).

7. The head coil assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The base (3) includes a base portion (3a) for placing the lower coil (5) and an end portion (3b) located at the rear end of the base portion and protruding relative to the base portion. A locking block (15) is provided on the side of the end portion (3b) facing the base portion (3a). A plurality of locking grooves are provided on the locking block (15) at intervals in the vertical direction.

8. The head coil assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The surface (15c) of the locking block facing the lower coil is formed as a concave arc surface, and the surface (5b) of the lower coil facing the locking block is formed as a convex arc surface that matches the concave arc surface.

9. The head coil assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The top wall of the locking groove between the lowermost and uppermost locking grooves in the plurality of locking grooves is configured as an outwardly flared inclined wall (15b), and the locking pin (19) is provided with a matching inclined wall (19b) corresponding to the inclined wall (15b) at one end facing the locking groove.

10. The head coil assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an upper coil that is pivotally mounted to the lower coil at the rear end.

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

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