Receiver unit for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device

Abstract

Receiving unit for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance device from an object under investigation, comprising a control unit and a local coil comprising at least two coil units, wherein at least one of the at least two coil units can be activated individually by means of the control unit, the control unit is located within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device and is arranged according to at least one of the following arrangements: - the control unit is located on the local coil - the control unit is integrated into the local coil - the control unit is located on and / or integrated into a patient positioning device on which the object under investigation is positioned when receiving the magnetic resonance signals.

Description

The invention relates to a receiving unit for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for preparing an examination of a test object using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. In a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, the body being examined, particularly a patient, is typically exposed to a relatively strong main magnetic field, for example, 1.5 or 3 Tesla, using a main magnet. Additionally, gradient pulses are generated using a gradient coil unit. High-frequency (HF) pulses, such as excitation pulses, are then emitted via a high-frequency antenna unit using suitable antenna elements. This causes the nuclear spins of certain atoms resonantly excited by these HF pulses to be tilted by a defined angle relative to the magnetic field lines of the main magnetic field. During the relaxation of the nuclear spins, HF signals, known as magnetic resonance signals, are emitted. These signals are received by a receiver unit comprising coil units configured as HF antennas and then further processed.Raw data is captured, which can then be reconstructed into the desired image data. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance signals are typically acquired from a section of the object under investigation, i.e., a partial volume of the object, and reconstructed into image data. The partial volume or area of ​​the object to be imaged is the examination area. This is typically selected individually for each object, depending on the medical question, and can therefore vary in size and position. A receiver unit comprising at least one local coil is typically used to receive the magnetic resonance signals, with a local coil typically comprising several coil units. The type of local coil can be selected depending on the examination area.At the beginning of a magnetic resonance examination, i.e., an examination using a magnetic resonance device, a local coil is typically positioned and activated at the examination area. DE 10 2007 010 274 ​​B4 discloses a method for selecting coils for a magnetic resonance apparatus, which comprises several coil devices for generating an alternating magnetic field for nuclear resonance excitation and / or for receiving the field emanating from the nuclear moment, and a storage device for storing an object to be examined. DE 10 2010 001 092 A1 discloses a system with at least one medical imaging device for medical imaging and at least one operating unit, wherein the at least one operating unit is decoupled from the medical imaging device, at least for sample preparation for medical imaging. DE 10 2011 080 755 A1 discloses a medical device with at least one outer casing, which has at least one planar, touch-sensitive input and output device.DE 10 2013 226 342 A1 discloses an imaging medical device comprising a number of docking stations, each with a closed surface, configured to establish a wireless data connection with an operating / display unit and simultaneously hold the latter in a defined position on the imaging medical device. DE 10 2006 007 769 A1 discloses a method for generating magnetic resonance images of an examination object using a magnetic resonance system with a plurality of coil elements for receiving imaging magnetic resonance signals. DE 10 2004 026 996 A1 discloses a method for generating magnetic resonance images of an examination object, wherein the magnetic resonance tomograph used has a plurality of coils available, which are positioned at different locations relative to the examination object. The invention is based on the objective of providing a particularly efficient receiving unit for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance device and a particularly simple method for preparing a magnetic resonance examination of an object under investigation. This objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The receiving unit according to the invention for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance device from an object under investigation comprises an operating unit and a local coil comprising at least two coil units, wherein at least one of the at least two coil units can be activated individually by means of the operating unit and the operating unit is arranged within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device. Typically, depending on the type of examination and the area being examined, an operator of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, such as a medical technician, positions a local coil on the surface of the area being examined. The better the local coil surrounds the surface of the area being examined, the higher the quality of the resulting image data. Accordingly, dedicated coils exist for most examination areas, such as a foot coil, a shoulder coil, and flexible coils that can be placed around the abdomen of a patient, for example. A local coil typically comprises several RF antennas, i.e., multiple coil units, designed to receive magnetic resonance signals within a limited area. At the beginning of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a local coil is typically positioned at the examination area, and then the coil units required for the MRI scan are activated. An activated coil unit is characterized by the fact that it receives magnetic resonance signals during raw data acquisition, which are used to generate the image data. At least one of the at least two coil units can typically be not only activated but also deactivated via the control unit. Activating individual coil units is particularly advantageous when a portion of the object under investigation surrounded by the local coil is larger than the area under investigation. Activating, and thus using, multiple coil units arranged to receive magnetic resonance signals from the area under investigation during MRI increases the signal-to-noise ratio. Conversely, activating and using coil units arranged to receive magnetic resonance signals from outside the area under investigation degrades the image data to be reconstructed. Consequently, activating the appropriate coil units is advantageous in MRI. Activated coil units are characterized by their ability to receive magnetic resonance signals during an MRI scan. To avoid impairing the functionality of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, it is typically located in a separate, RF-shielded room, preferably enclosed by an RF shield. This shield is designed to protect the generated fields from external influences and prevent the propagation of electromagnetic fields generated by the MRI device outside the RF-shielded room. Individual coil units are typically activated by a control unit located outside the RF-shielded room surrounding the MRI device.This means that when preparing for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, an operator of the MRI machine, for example, a medical technician, positions the patient and the local coil on the MRI machine, leaves the RF-shielded room, and then activates individual coil units using a control unit of the MRI machine. This is time-consuming and may require repositioning the local coil if an unsuitable position is detected when activating the individual coil units. The receiving unit is preferably a unit capable of receiving magnetic resonance signals and controlling the reception of these signals. Control of the reception of the magnetic resonance signals can be automated and / or controlled by an operating unit, which is operated by a person. The operating unit can be, for example, a switch, particularly a toggle switch, and / or a push button. The operating unit is preferably designed to be operated intuitively by a person. Due to the placement of the control unit within an RF-shielded room surrounding the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, at least one coil unit can be activated via the control unit when positioning the local coil on a specimen, without the operator having to leave the RF-shielded room. This eliminates the need to open and / or close a door within the RF-shielded room, which typically has specific RF requirements and is therefore difficult to move. This allows for a simpler and / or smoother workflow when preparing for an MRI scan. The local coil positioned at the examination object is preferably within the operator's line of sight when the operator activates at least one coil unit encompassed by the local coil using the control unit. Both the control unit and the local coil are located within the RF-shielded chamber. This allows for visual verification of the activated coil units within the RF-shielded chamber, ensuring particularly effective activation of the coil units for the individual examination. This approach effectively guarantees that, when acquiring the raw medical data, those coil units of the local coil are activated that can receive magnetic resonance signals from within the examination area and / or result in optimal image data quality.The probability that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will need to be repeated due to incorrectly selected coil units is reduced according to the method according to the invention. Likewise, the probability that the quality of the image data to be generated will be impaired due to incorrectly selected coil units is reduced. The arrangement of the local coil and / or the activation of individual coil units is simplified and / or can be performed particularly quickly according to the method according to the invention. Overall, the arrangement of the control unit within the RF-shielded room enables a simplified selection of the coil units relevant for the MRI scan. One embodiment of the receiving unit provides that the control unit is within reach of a person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. A person standing directly next to the MRI scanner can typically touch the scanner. A person who positions a local coil on the patient being examined, with the patient being placed on the MRI scanner's patient positioning device, is typically standing directly next to the MRI scanner. The control unit is within reach of such a person if the person standing directly next to the MRI scanner can touch the control unit and / or operate the control unit in such a way as to activate a coil unit. Preferably, the person can touch the MRI scanner and the control unit simultaneously. The person is typically an operator. The advantage of this embodiment of the receiver unit is that a person can operate the control unit in close proximity to the object being examined without having to change their position. This allows for particularly efficient arrangement of the local coil and activation of the necessary coil units, i.e., preparation for a magnetic resonance examination. According to the invention, the control unit is arranged according to at least one of the following arrangements: - the control unit is arranged on the local coil - the control unit is integrated into the local coil - the control unit is arranged on a patient positioning device and / or integrated into the patient positioning device on which the subject of the examination is positioned when receiving the magnetic resonance signals. The control unit can, for example, be arranged on the surface of the local coil, with the control unit being mounted on the surface of the local coil. The control unit can also be designed as part of the local coil, i.e., integrated into it. An example of such integration of the control unit into the local coil is a push button and / or a toggle switch, which is, for example, integrated into the surface of the local coil and connected to at least one coil unit encompassed by the local coil in such a way that this coil unit can be activated by means of the control unit. The control unit can have a separate subunit for each coil unit, which subunit is, for example, a push button and / or a toggle switch, whereby a coil unit can be activated and / or deactivated by means of a subunit.Such a control unit is intuitive to operate, as the position of a single subunit preferably implies the position of the corresponding coil unit. In this case, the operator can precisely determine and activate the coil units relevant to the examination area at both the object being examined and the local coil. This allows for particularly intuitive and accurate examination preparation. Furthermore, the operator can operate the control unit in close proximity to the object being examined without having to change their position. This enables a particularly efficient arrangement of the local coil and activation of the necessary coil units, i.e., the preparation for a magnetic resonance examination. Additionally, the control unit can also be arranged on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, particularly on its surface. For this purpose, the control unit can be positioned on the MRI scanner housing, for example, on the front, to the side and / or above the patient acquisition area. The control unit can also be positioned to the side and / or above the patient positioning device. Preferably, the control unit can activate coil units of different local coils, making it preferably independent of the local coil used. The control unit is preferably positioned at the same location on the MRI scanner, independent of the local coil used and the MRI examination itself, making it particularly easy to locate.Additionally, the operator can operate the control unit in close proximity to the object being examined without having to change their position. This allows for particularly efficient setup of the local coil and activation of the necessary coil units, i.e., preparation for a magnetic resonance examination. The control unit can also be designed as a mobile display, such as a tablet computer, which can be used within the RF-shielded room. For this purpose, the mobile display is typically MR-compatible. The mobile display can also be used outside the RF-shielded room. Using the mobile display within the RF-shielded room allows for flexible activation of the coil units, as an operator can use the control unit regardless of their position within the RF-shielded room. Alternatively and / or additionally, the control unit can be arranged on and / or integrated into a patient positioning device. The patient is typically positioned horizontally on the patient positioning device, so that the patient positioning device is largely obscured by the patient from the operator's perspective. A local coil, for example in spinal examinations, can be integrated into the patient positioning device, so that this local coil is largely obscured by the patient. The coil units encompassed by such a local coil can then be particularly well activated by a control unit arranged on or integrated into a patient positioning device, especially if the control unit is located laterally on and / or integrated into the patient positioning device.The control unit can then be operated by a single operator even when a patient is positioned on the patient positioning device. Coil units of local coils used in magnetic resonance examinations other than spinal examinations can also be activated with a control unit integrated into and / or attached to the patient positioning device. One embodiment of the receiving unit provides that the receiving unit includes a display unit with which the activity of at least one coil unit of the at least two coil units can be represented and the display unit is arranged within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device. The display unit is therefore designed to visualize the activity of a coil unit. In particular, the display unit can show whether a coil unit is activated or deactivated. This is especially advantageous because, after activating a coil unit, the operator receives feedback from the display unit about which coil units are actually active. This prevents the deactivation of a coil unit that may have been automatically activated from being forgotten or overlooked. In particular, a visual check of the coil unit selection within the RF-shielded room is possible, allowing for correction of a coil unit's activity state—i.e., whether it is active or inactive—even during the preparation for the magnetic resonance examination.This prevents, in particular, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan from being started and / or performed with a faultily activated coil unit. It also prevents the operator from having to leave the RF-shielded room if a coil unit is incorrectly activated. This allows for a smoother workflow for the operator. One embodiment of the receiving unit provides that the display unit is arranged according to at least one of the following arrangements: - the display unit is arranged on the local coil - the display unit is integrated into the local coil - the display unit is an operable mobile display within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device - the display unit is arranged on and / or integrated into a patient positioning device on which the subject is positioned when receiving the magnetic resonance signals - the display unit is arranged such that a projective representation of the activity of the coil unit is displayed on the coil unit. The display unit can, for example, be arranged on the surface of the local coil, or it can be mounted on the surface of the local coil. Alternatively, the display unit can be designed as part of the local coil, i.e., integrated into it. An example of such integration of the display unit into the local coil is at least a lamp, which is integrated, for example, into the surface of the local coil and connected to at least one coil unit enclosed by the local coil in such a way that the activity of this coil unit is visualized by the lamp, for example, by illuminating it when the coil unit is active. The display unit can have a separate subunit for each coil unit, which subunit could, for example, be a lamp, and which could be used to visualize the activity of a coil unit. Such a display unit is intuitively understandable, as the position of a single subunit can directly indicate the position of the corresponding coil unit. In this case, the operator can precisely determine the relevant coil units for the examination area at both the object being examined and the local coil, activate them using the control unit, and / or verify their activation using the display unit. This allows for particularly intuitive and accurate examination preparation. Furthermore, the operator can evaluate a result from the display unit in close proximity to the object being examined without having to change their position. This makes the arrangement of the local coil, the activation of the required coil units, and the verification of correct activation—in other words, the preparation for a magnetic resonance examination—particularly efficient. The display unit can also be designed as a mobile display, for example, a tablet computer, which can also be used within the RF-shielded room. For this purpose, the mobile display is typically MR-compatible. The mobile display preferably visualizes the coil units encompassed by the local coil and their activity state. Preferably, the visualization is spatial and additionally includes spatial information about the object under investigation and / or the desired examination area. The mobile display can also be used outside the RF-shielded room. Using the mobile display within the RF-shielded room allows for flexible monitoring of the activated coil units, as an operator can use the display unit regardless of their position within the RF-shielded room.Preferably, if the display unit is designed as a mobile display, the control unit is also designed as a mobile display, so that the operator can perform complete control of the coil elements. Alternatively and / or additionally, the display unit can be arranged on and / or integrated into a patient positioning device. A local coil, for example in spinal examinations, can be integrated into the patient positioning device so that this local coil is largely obscured by the patient being examined. Activity of such a local coil unit can then be visualized particularly well with a display unit arranged on or integrated into a patient positioning device, especially if the display unit is positioned laterally on and / or integrated into the patient positioning device. In this case, the display unit can be seen by an operator even when a patient is positioned on the patient positioning device.The activity of coil units of local coils, which are used in magnetic resonance examinations other than spinal examinations, can also be checked with a display unit integrated into and / or arranged on the patient positioning device. Additionally, the display unit can be arranged to projectively represent the activity of a coil unit. For example, a first part of the surface of the local coil can be highlighted, particularly illuminated, by means of a light source, indicating the position and / or spatial extent of a coil unit. The advantage of this embodiment is that the display unit can be installed in the RF-shielded space independently of the local coil used. One embodiment of the receiving unit provides that a signal emitted by the display unit is visible to indicate activity when the object under investigation is positioned. Positioning the object typically involves placing it on a patient positioning device, attaching a local coil to the object, positioning the local coil as close as possible to the examination area, and determining and activating the coil units to be used in the magnetic resonance examination. The patient positioning device with the object under investigation is then moved to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance imaging device. According to this embodiment, the display unit is arranged such that activity of a coil unit is detectable when the local coil is attached to the patient on the patient positioning device, and the patient and the patient are located predominantly outside the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, and in particular predominantly outside the MRI scanner's examination area. In particular, a person located directly at the MRI scanner can visually detect a signal emitted by the display unit during the period, especially after the local coil has been attached to the patient, i.e., for example, by seeing it. This embodiment of the receiving unit according to the invention allows for an intuitive verification of the activity state of a coil unit.After the positioning of the object under investigation has been completed, in particular after the patient positioning device with the object under investigation has been moved into the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device, a signal emitted by the display unit may cease. One embodiment of the receiving unit provides that a signal emitted by the display unit to represent the activity is visible to a person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The advantage of this embodiment of the receiving unit according to the invention is that it allows for an intuitive verification of the activity status of a coil unit. One embodiment of the receiving unit provides that a signal emitted by the display unit represents the position and / or extent of a coil unit and / or the extent of a sensitivity area of ​​the coil unit, indicating the activity of one of the at least two coil units. The display unit can, for example, be configured to emit a light signal when a coil unit is active, which light signal represents a projection of the spatial path of the coil unit. The advantage of such a design is that the operator can particularly well compare the desired examination area with activated coil units. If necessary, the operator can initiate the activation and / or deactivation of a coil unit so that the activated coil units surround the examination area as effectively as possible.The same applies if a signal emitted by the display unit represents the position of a coil unit. Alternatively and / or additionally, the light signal can indicate at least a projection of the sensitivity range of the coil unit. The sensitivity range of a coil unit is characterized by the fact that the coil unit can receive magnetic resonance signals that originate within its sensitivity range. The advantage of such a design is that the operator can particularly well compare the desired examination area with the sensitivity range of the activated coil unit. If necessary, the operator can activate and / or deactivate a coil unit so that the sensitivity ranges corresponding to the activated coil units best match the examination area. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for preparing a magnetic resonance examination of an object under investigation with a receiving unit according to the invention, according to the following method steps: - Arrangement of a local coil encompassed by the receiving unit to the object under investigation, - Activation of at least one coil unit encompassed by the receiving unit by means of the operating unit, - Positioning of the object under investigation with the activated coil unit in the magnetic resonance device. These process steps are typically performed by an operator of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The first two steps, namely the positioning of the local coil on the object under investigation and the activation of at least one coil unit, preferably take place within the RF-shielded room. The positioning of the object under investigation within the MRI scanner, particularly at its isocenter, is typically automated after initiation by the operator. This initiation can be performed by the operator from either inside or outside the RF-shielded room. Once the specimen with the activated coil unit is positioned in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, the MRI scan can be started. The MRI scan typically begins with the operator interacting with a control unit for the MRI scanner, at which point the operator has typically already left and / or locked the RF-shielded room. During the MRI scan, the operator is typically outside the RF-shielded room. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for preparing a magnetic resonance examination of an object under investigation with a receiving unit according to the following method steps: - Arrangement of the local coil to the object under investigation, - Activation of at least one coil unit encompassed by the receiving unit by means of the operating unit, - Visual verification of a position of the at least one activated coil unit by means of a signal emitted by the display unit, - Positioning of the object under investigation with the activated coil unit in the magnetic resonance device. In addition to the method already described according to the invention, the display unit of the receiving unit can be used according to this method to perform a visual check of the activity of a coil unit still within the RF-shielded space. The two method steps for activating at least one coil unit and for visually checking an activated coil unit are preferably carried out iteratively until a combination of coil units encompassed by the local coil, ideally matched to the area under investigation, is activated. The advantages of the two methods according to the invention essentially correspond to the advantages of the receiving unit according to the invention for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance device from an object under investigation, which are described in detail below. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned therein can also be transferred to the claimed methods and vice versa. Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a receiving unit according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a receiving unit according to the invention, Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a receiving unit according to the invention, Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a receiving unit according to the invention, Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a receiving unit according to the invention, and Figure 6 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a receiving unit according to the invention in a schematic representation. The receiving unit is designed to receive magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11 from an object under investigation, in particular from a patient 15. The patient 15 can be moved by means of a patient positioning device 16 of the MRI device 11. For this purpose, the patient positioning device 16 has a patient table that is movably arranged within the MRI device 11. The MRI device 11 is arranged within a space 51 that is RF-shielded by means of an RF shield 52. The receiving unit comprises an operating unit 44 and a local coil 41, the local coil 41 comprising at least two coil units 42a, 42b. The local coil 41 is typically positioned on the patient 15 such that it encloses the examination area. At least one coil unit of the at least two coil units 42a, 42b can be individually activated by means of the control unit 44. Preferably, each coil unit of the at least two coil units 42a, 42b encompassed by the local coil 41 can be individually activated. In this embodiment, the control unit 44 is arranged on the magnetic resonance device 11 and within the RF-shielded room 51. Furthermore, the control unit 44 is arranged such that it can be operated by a person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance device 11. The control unit 44 is therefore within reach of a person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance device 11. The person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance device 11 can preferably touch the control unit 44 and the local coil 41 simultaneously.The field of vision of the person located directly at the magnetic resonance device 11 preferably includes the control unit 44 and the local coil 41, particularly when positioning the patient 15, which typically takes place while the patient table of the patient positioning device 16 is predominantly located outside the magnetic resonance device 11. Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the receiving unit according to the invention in a schematic representation. This receiving unit is also arranged within the RF-shielded space 51. In this embodiment, the control unit 44a, 44b encompassed by the receiving unit is arranged on the local coil 41 and / or integrated into the local coil 41. The control unit 44a, 44b can, for example, be designed in the form of two toggle switches. The receiving unit also includes a display unit 43a, 43b, with which the activity of at least one of the at least two coil units 42a, 42b can be displayed. The display unit 43a, 43b is arranged within the RF-shielded space 51 surrounding the magnetic resonance device 11. In particular, the display unit 43a, 43b is arranged on the local coil 41 and / or integrated into the local coil 41.The display unit 43a, 43b is designed to display a signal to represent the activity of a coil unit of the at least two coil units 42a, 42b when the object under investigation, in particular the patient 15, is positioned in such a way that this emitted signal is visible, in particular to a person located directly at the magnetic resonance device 11. The display unit 43a, 43b shown here is designed such that, when displaying the activity of one of the at least two coil units 42a, 42b, it visualizes their spatial extent. In this case, this is achieved by the display unit 43a, 43b approximately representing the path of the coil units 42a, 42b located beneath the surface of the local coil 41, for example by illuminating the path on the surface of the local coil 41. Similarly, the position of a coil unit 42a, 42b and / or the spatial extent of a sensitivity range of a coil unit 42a, 42b can also be displayed. Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the receiving unit according to the invention in a schematic representation. Analogous to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the receiving unit comprises an operating unit 44a, 44b and a display unit 43a, 43b, wherein both the display unit 43a, 43b and the operating unit 44a, 44b are arranged on the local coil 41 and / or integrated into the local coil 41. The operating unit 44a, 44b can, for example, be designed in the form of two toggle switches. A first part of the display unit 43a visualizes an activity of the coil unit 42a, and a second part of the display unit 43b visualizes an activity of the coil unit 42b. For this purpose, the first part of the display unit 43a can include a lamp, which lamp has a position that is spatially linked to a position of the coil unit 42a.The second part of the display unit 43b can include a lamp, which lamp has a position spatially linked to a position of the coil unit 42b. For example, the lamp can light up when the corresponding coil unit is active. Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the receiving unit according to the invention in a schematic representation. This receiving unit also comprises an operating unit 44 and a display unit 43, wherein the operating unit 44 and / or the display unit 43 are designed as an operable mobile display 47. In particular, the operable mobile display 47 can be arranged and used within the RF-shielded space 51. The operable mobile display 47 can, for example, be a tablet computer. Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the receiving unit according to the invention in a schematic representation. According to this embodiment, the control unit 44a, 44b is arranged on and / or integrated into the patient positioning device 16. The subject of the examination, in particular the patient 15, is typically positioned on a patient table encompassed by this patient positioning device 16 during preparation for the magnetic resonance examination. During the magnetic resonance examination, the patient table is then positioned within the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner 11. Analogous to the control unit 44a, 44b, a display unit 43a, 43b can also be arranged on and / or integrated into the patient positioning device 16.Alternatively, the display unit 43, 43a, 43b can also be designed in such a way that a projective representation of an activity of at least one coil unit 42a, 42b is displayed on the coil unit 42a, 42b. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for preparing an examination of a test subject, in particular a patient 15, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11 and a receiver unit. At the beginning of the method, the test subject, in particular the patient 15, is typically located outside the MRI device 11. The patient 15 is already positioned on the patient positioning device 16. The method according to the invention begins with process step 100, the arrangement of the local coil 41 on the patient 15. Taking into account the examination area of ​​the patient 15, in process step 110 at least one coil unit 42a, 42b encompassed by the receiver unit is activated by means of the control unit 44, 44a, 44b.If the receiving unit 41 has a display unit 43, 43a, 43b, then process step 120 can optionally be performed: according to process step 120, the position of the at least one activated coil unit 42a, 42b is visually checked using a signal emitted by the display unit 43, 43a, 43b. Subsequently, process step 130 is performed, the positioning of the patient 15 with the activated coil unit 42a, 42b in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11. After completion of the method according to the invention, the magnetic resonance examination, in particular the recording of magnetic resonance signals, can begin. Procedure steps 100, 110, 120, and 130 are typically performed by an operator of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11. If the operator performs the optional procedure step 120, i.e., a visual check of the position of an activated coil unit 42a, 42b, the operator can initiate procedure step 130 following procedure step 120, provided the activated coil unit 42a, 42b agrees. If the operator does not agree with the activated coil unit 42a, 42b, procedure step 110, the activation of a coil unit 42a, 42b encompassed by the receiving unit using the control unit 44, 44a, 44b, can be performed again if necessary. In general, procedure steps 110 and 120 can be performed iteratively. Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Receiving unit for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated by a magnetic resonance device from an object under investigation, comprising a control unit and a local coil comprising at least two coil units, wherein at least one of the at least two coil units can be activated individually by means of the control unit, the control unit is located within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device and is arranged according to at least one of the following arrangements: - the control unit is located on the local coil - the control unit is integrated into the local coil - the control unit is located on and / or integrated into a patient positioning device on which the object under investigation is positioned when receiving the magnetic resonance signals. Receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is within reach of a person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance device. Receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving unit comprises a display unit with which the activity of at least one coil unit of the at least two coil units can be represented and the display unit is arranged within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device. Receiving unit according to claim 3, wherein the display unit is arranged according to at least one of the following arrangements: - the display unit is arranged on the local coil - the display unit is integrated into the local coil - the display unit is an operable mobile display within an RF-shielded space surrounding the magnetic resonance device - the display unit is arranged on and / or integrated into a patient positioning device on which the subject of the examination is positioned when receiving the magnetic resonance signals - the display unit is arranged such that a projective representation of the activity of the coil unit is displayed on the coil unit. Receiving unit according to one of claims 3 to 4, wherein a signal emitted by the display unit is visible to represent the activity when the object under investigation is positioned. Receiving unit according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a signal emitted by the display unit to represent the activity is visible to a person standing directly next to the magnetic resonance device. Receiving unit according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a signal emitted by the display unit to represent the activity of a coil unit of the at least two coil units represents a position and / or extent of the coil unit and / or an extent of a sensitivity area of ​​the coil unit. Method for preparing a magnetic resonance examination of an object under investigation with a receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims according to the following method steps: - Arrangement of the local coil to the object under investigation, - Activation of at least one coil unit encompassed by the receiving unit by means of the operating unit, - Positioning of the object under investigation with the activated coil unit in the magnetic resonance device. Method for preparing a magnetic resonance examination of an object under investigation with a receiving unit according to one of claims 3 to 7 according to the following method steps: - Arrangement of the local coil to the object under investigation, - Activation of at least one coil unit encompassed by the receiving unit by means of the operating unit, - Visual verification of a position of the at least one activated coil unit by means of a signal emitted by the display unit, - Positioning of the object under investigation with the activated coil unit in the magnetic resonance device.

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