Head and neck coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications

Abstract

A head and neck coil arrangement (3) for magnetic resonance applications on a patient (1) has a base part (4) made of a rigid material, with which the coil arrangement (3) can be placed on a patient bed (2). The coil arrangement (3) furthermore has an upper additional part (5) in which upper local coils (9) are arranged. The upper additional part (5) is movably arranged on the base part (4) and / or is designed to be movable in itself, such that a distance of the upper local coils (9) from the facial region, the neck region, and the upper chest region of the patient (1) can be adjusted. The coil arrangement (3) furthermore has a lower additional part (6) in which lower local coils (10) are arranged. The lower additional part (6) is connected to the base part (4) in a lower region, and the upper additional part (5) in an upper region.This allows the base body (4), the lower additional part (6), and the upper additional part (5) to be manually handled as a unit by a user (14). The lower additional part (6) is height-adjustable from anterior to posterior relative to the base body (4), allowing the distance of the lower local coils (10) from the back of the patient's (1) head to be adjusted.

Description

[0001] The present invention is based on a head-neck coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications on a patient, - wherein the coil arrangement has a base part made of a rigid material with which the coil arrangement can be placed on a patient bed, - wherein the coil arrangement has an upper additional part in which upper local coils are arranged, - wherein the upper additional part is movably arranged on the base part and / or is designed to be movable in itself, so that a distance of the upper local coils from the face area, the neck area and the upper chest area of ​​the patient can be adjusted, - wherein the coil arrangement has a lower additional part in which lower local coils are arranged, - wherein the lower additional part is connected to the base part in a lower area and the upper additional part is connected to the base part in an upper area, so that the base part, the lower additional part and the upper additional part can be manually handled as a unit by a user.

[0002] The applicant points out that regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term (here, for example, the terms “patient” and “user”), persons with male, female and other gender identities are always included.

[0003] Such a coil arrangement is known, for example, from WO 2020 / 081 123 A1.

[0004] DE 10 2011 075 454 B4 discloses a head-neck coil assembly for magnetic resonance applications, comprising a base part made of a rigid material, with which the coil assembly can be placed on a patient bed. The coil assembly further comprises an upper additional part in which upper local coils are arranged. The upper additional part is movably arranged on the base part, so that the distance of the upper local coils from the face area, the neck area, and the upper chest area of ​​the patient can be adjusted. The lower additional part is connected to the base part in an upper region, so that the base part and the upper additional part can be manually handled by the user as a unit.

[0005] Radiation therapy (often referred to as RT for radiotherapy) often treats the head and neck region. The associated treatment planning is increasingly based on magnetic resonance imaging technology. In radiation therapy, the positioning of the patient during treatment planning must exactly match the position of the patient during treatment. For this reason, precise immobilization of the relevant body regions is necessary. Furthermore, it is necessary to capture the patient's three-dimensional anatomy with high resolution (sometimes 1 mm or more precise) and high image contrast. In addition, the time required for image acquisition should be as short as possible. This is particularly critical for stereotactic radiation therapy and when irradiating regions in the immediate vicinity of endangered risk structures.

[0006] Head and neck coil configurations used in conventional diagnostic systems are often incompatible with systems used for therapy planning. Instead, more complex setups are used, employing standard coils and specialized mounts, fixtures, and other immobilization devices. This is time-consuming and user-unfriendly, and can also result in reduced image quality.

[0007] For the planning of radiotherapy, imaging is still required in many cases longitudinally beyond the neck to the shoulders and across the entire width of the patient's body, including the shoulders.

[0008] Various immobilization systems are known in the state of the art for immobilizing the patient's head, neck, and shoulders. For example, there are masks made of thermoplastic material that conform to the skin, or frames made of rigid material that can be placed around the head. The space required varies from case to case. Overall, it is important to adapt the arrangement of the local coils to the specific anatomy of the patient and the specific desired immobilization. In many cases, a standard coil is placed below the head (i.e., at the back of the head, posteriorly). In this case, another standard coil is placed anteriorly (i.e., on the face). Alternatively, two standard coils are used, which are placed from posteriorly, once to the left and once to the right of the patient's head, to anteriorly and then fixed in place.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create possibilities by which a head-neck coil arrangement can be achieved with easy handling, good immobilization, and high image quality. Furthermore, the head-neck coil arrangement should be flexible in its use.

[0010] The object is achieved by a head-neck coil arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the head-neck coil arrangement are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 14.

[0011] According to the invention, a head-neck coil arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset is designed in that the lower additional part is height-adjustable relative to the base part from anterior to posterior, so that a distance of the lower local coils from the back of the patient's head is adjustable.

[0012] This allows, in particular, the height of the lower additional part to be adjusted as needed so that it can be used both with and without an RT overlay, and, if an RT overlay is used, above and below the RT overlay. In both cases, the distance of the lower local coils from the back of the patient's head can be minimized as much as possible, thereby optimizing image quality. Immobilization can be achieved with or without an overlay, as needed. Further modifications to the head-neck coil arrangement are not necessary.

[0013] It is possible for the lower additional part to have a mechanical structure made of a flexible material, and for the lower local coils to be embedded in the mechanical structure. In this case, the possibility of height adjustment arises entirely from the material of the lower additional part. In this case, the lower local coils are preferably designed as flexible coils.

[0014] Alternatively, the lower additional part can be designed as a mechanically rigid element, and the base part can have several insertion positions for the lower additional part, which are offset in height from anterior to posterior. In this case, the height adjustment can be selected by selecting the insertion position into which the lower additional part is inserted.

[0015] Preferably, the upper additional part is detachably connected to the base part. This design facilitates, in particular, the patient's positioning or standing up, as well as the cleaning and sterilization of the head-neck coil assembly after use.

[0016] It is possible for the upper additional part to comprise a left and a right side part, which can be opened to the left and right from the base part. In many cases – usually as an alternative, but in exceptional cases also in addition to the presence of two side parts – it is advantageous if the upper additional part is hinged to the base part in such a way that the upper additional part can be opened upwards. This design is particularly simple to implement and very effective.

[0017] In this case, the upper additional part preferably has several links, viewed from superior to inferior, which are each connected to one another via a joint, so that the upper additional part is designed like a link chain. In this embodiment, the upper local coils are arranged in the links. This allows the upper additional part to be applied to the patient's face, neck and upper chest area like a flexible chain. This is particularly true if, viewed from superior to inferior, one of the joints is arranged in the forehead area, the chin area and the neck area of ​​the patient. In addition, further joints or flexible or deformable coil sections can be present between these joints.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the upper additional part has a mechanical structure made of a flexible material, and the upper local coils are embedded in the mechanical structure. In this case, the possibility of adaptation to the patient's anatomy arises entirely automatically. In this case, the upper local coils are preferably designed as flexible coils.

[0019] Preferably, the base part has guide elements that interact with corresponding guide elements of the patient bed and guide the base part relative to the patient bed when placed on the bed. This provides a simple, robust fixation of the head-neck coil assembly to the patient bed. Preferably, the guide elements guide the base part at an angle between 30° and 60°.

[0020] Preferably, electrical connectors for transmitting electrical signals between the lower and upper local coils and an evaluation device for magnetic resonance signals are arranged on the base part in such a way that they automatically contact corresponding mating connectors on the patient bed when the base part is placed on the patient bed. This eliminates the need for a separate process for electrically connecting the head-neck coil arrangement, thus simplifying handling.

[0021] However, it is also possible that electrical plug connections for transmitting electrical signals between the lower and upper local coils and the evaluation device are arranged on the base part, but the plug connections have to be connected and connected independently, i.e. independently of placing the base part on the patient couch.

[0022] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of the embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. Herein, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 a patient bed in a patient and a head-neck coil arrangement, Fig. 2 a part of Fig. 1 without the patient, Fig. 3 one to Fig. 2 alternative design and Fig. 4 sections of a base part and an upper additional part.

[0023] According to Fig. 1, a 3D image of a patient 1 is to be created using a magnetic resonance imaging system (not shown). The 3D image can be used, for example, in the context of radiation therapy planning. Patient 1 is "positioned" on a patient couch 2 to create the 3D image. In many cases, this "positioning" involves patient 1 lying down on patient couch 2 with their "back" facing down. In many cases, an overlay is arranged on top of patient couch 2, so that patient 1 is not "positioned" directly on patient couch 2, but rather on the overlay.

[0024] The following refers to various directional designations. The following terms have the following meanings: - “Posterior” is the “back” of Patient 1, i.e. the back of the head, back, buttocks and back of the legs up to the heel of Patient 1. - “Anterior” is the “front” of Patient 1, i.e. face, chest, abdomen and front of the legs down to the toes of Patient 1. - “Superior” is the “top” of Patient 1, i.e. essentially the top of Patient 1’s skull. - “Inferior” is the “underside” of patient 1, essentially the soles of patient 1’s feet.

[0025] Building on these meanings, the phrase “seen from anterior to posterior” means the vertical direction or (essentially equivalent) the vertical position relative to patient couch 2. Analogously, the phrase “seen from superior to inferior” means the longitudinal direction of patient couch 2.

[0026] A head-neck coil arrangement 3 for magnetic resonance applications is arranged on the patient couch 2, hereinafter referred to simply as coil arrangement 3. Typically, the coil arrangement 3 (or parts of the coil arrangement 3, for example a posterior part, in particular the base part 4 mentioned below) is arranged before the patient 1 is arranged on the patient couch 2. The coil arrangement 3 has, according to Fig. 2 comprises a base part 4, an upper additional part 5, and a lower additional part 6. The base part 4 is made of a rigid material. The term "rigid" in the context of the present invention can include the fact that the corresponding rigid part (for example, the base part 4) is surrounded by a soft sheath that can yield, for example, in a range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm. To arrange the coil arrangement 3 on the patient couch 2, the coil arrangement 3 with the base part 4 is placed on the patient couch 2.

[0027] To arrange the coil arrangement 3 on the patient bed 2, the base part 4 can have guide elements 7 that interact with corresponding guide elements 8 of the patient bed 2. Through the interaction of the guide elements 7, 8, the base part 4 is guided relative to the patient bed 2 when placed on the patient bed 2. In particular, the guide elements 7, 8 can be designed and oriented such that the guide elements 7, 8 guide the base part 4 relative to the patient bed 2 at an angle α of between 30° and 60° when placed on the patient bed 2. Corresponding embodiments are known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in DE 10 2008 063 629 A1.

[0028] Local coils 9, hereinafter referred to as upper local coils 9, are arranged in the upper additional part 5. Local coils 10, hereinafter referred to as lower local coils 10, are also arranged in the lower additional part 6. The terms "upper local coils 9" and "lower local coils 10" are used generically. In individual cases, only a single upper or lower local coil 9, 10 may be present. Typically, however, several upper and lower local coils 9, 10 are present.

[0029] The upper and lower local coils 9, 10 can be used to acquire magnetic resonance signals that have previously been excited in the patient 1 in a known manner. The magnetic resonance signals (i.e., electrical signals) are transmitted to an evaluation device 11. If necessary, the magnetic resonance signals can be pre-amplified beforehand within the coil arrangement 3. The coil arrangement 3 has electrical plug connections 12 for transmitting the magnetic resonance signals. The electrical plug connections 12 are preferably arranged on the base part 4. At least the magnetic resonance signals are thus transmitted between the upper and lower local coils 9, 10 and the evaluation device 11. If necessary, further electrical signals can also be transmitted via the plug connections 12, for example, control signals from the evaluation device 11 to the upper and lower local coils 9, 10.

[0030] The plug connections 12 can in principle be arranged in any desired manner on the base part 4. An arrangement on the base part 4 as shown in Fig. 2 such that the plug connections 12 automatically come into contact with corresponding mating plugs 13 of the patient bed 2 when the base part 4 is placed on the patient bed 2. Here, too, corresponding designs are known to experts and are described, for example, in the aforementioned DE 10 2008 063 629 A1.

[0031] The lower additional part 6 is connected to the base part 4 in a lower region. Due to the location of the connection between the lower additional part 6 and the base part 4, the lower local coils 10 are located posteriorly. As a result, the lower local coils 10 can be used to acquire, in particular, magnetic resonance signals originating from the area of ​​the back of the head, the back of the neck, and / or the back in the area of ​​the shoulder blades of the patient 1, i.e., from the rear regions of the patient 1.

[0032] In a similar manner, the upper additional part 5 is connected to the base part 4 in an upper region. Due to the location of the connection between the upper additional part 5 and the base part 4, the upper local coils 9 are located anteriorly. As a result, the upper local coils 9 can be used to acquire, in particular, magnetic resonance signals originating from the area of ​​the face, the front of the neck, and / or the chest in the region of the clavicles of the patient 1, i.e., from the anterior regions of the patient 1.

[0033] Due to the connection of the upper and lower additional parts 5, 6 with the base part 4, the base part 4, the lower additional part 5 and the upper additional part 6 can be removed by a user 14 (see Fig. 1) can be manually handled as a unit. Thus, the coil assembly 3 as a whole can be manually handled as a unit. The user 14 can manually (using muscle power) place the coil assembly 3 onto the patient couch 2.

[0034] The upper additional part 5 is furthermore movably arranged on the base part 4 and / or is designed to be movable in itself. This allows the distance of the upper local coils 9 from the face area, the (front) neck area and the upper chest area of ​​the patient 1 to be adjusted. In the case of the embodiment according to Fig. 2, for example, the upper additional part 5 is arranged in such a way that it can be folded upwards. The corresponding joint is shown in Fig. 2 is designated by the reference numeral 15, the possible opening is indicated by an arrow 16.

[0035] In the case of the design according to Fig. 2, the upper additional part 5 further comprises, viewed from superior to inferior, several links 17, each of which is connected to one another via a joint 18. The upper additional part 5 is thus designed in the manner of a link chain. Fig. 2 shows the minimal configuration, in which, viewed from superior to inferior, one of the joints 18 is arranged in the forehead area, in the chin area and in the neck area of ​​the patient 1. However, additional joints 18 and thus additional links 17 between the joints 18 could also be present. The upper local coils 9 are in the design of Fig. 2 arranged in the links 17.

[0036] As an alternative to designing the upper additional part 5 as a link chain, it is possible according to Fig. 3, it is possible for the upper additional part 5 to have a mechanical structure 19 made of a flexible material. In this case, the upper local coils 9 are embedded in the mechanical structure 19. Preferably, in this case, the upper local coils 9 are also designed as flexible coils. This is shown in Fig. 3 by the fact that the upper local coils 9 are not drawn straight, but curved. In this case, the joint 15 can be arranged as shown in Fig. 3 may still be present. However, depending on the flexibility of the mechanical structure 19, it may also be omitted. The flexibility of the mechanical structure 19 may be such that it adapts to its support automatically due to its own weight. Alternatively, the flexibility of the mechanical structure 19 may be such that it is plastically deformed only by the application of an additional force.

[0037] As far as the upper additional part 5 is concerned, it is also possible to use a mixed form between the designs of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In this case, on the one hand, the links 17 and the joints 18 between the links 17 are present, but the links 17 are not completely rigid but are still flexible to a certain extent.

[0038] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 by an arrow 20, it is additionally possible for the most superior joint 15 to be height-adjustable relative to the base part 4. This makes it possible, in particular, to ensure that the link 17 of the link chain adjacent to the joint 15 can be optimally brought closer to the face of the patient 1. Furthermore, it can be adjusted as shown in Fig. 4 it may be possible for the upper additional part 5 to be detachably connected to the base part 4.

[0039] The lower additional part 6 is height-adjustable from anterior to posterior relative to the base part 4. This allows the distance of the lower local coils 10 from the back of the patient's head 1 to be adjusted. For example, the base part 4 can be adjusted as shown in Fig. 2 have multiple plug-in positions 21 for the lower additional part 6. In this case, the plug-in positions 21 are arranged at a height offset from anterior to posterior. The lower additional part 6 can be designed as a mechanically rigid element in this case. The height of the lower additional part 6 is determined by the plug-in position 21 into which the lower additional part 6 is inserted.

[0040] As an alternative to a rigid design of the lower additional part 6, it is possible Fig. 3, it is possible for the lower additional part 6 to have a mechanical structure 22 made of a flexible material. In this case, the lower local coils 10 are embedded in the mechanical structure 22. Preferably, in this case, the lower local coils 10 are also designed as flexible coils. This is shown in Fig. 3 by the fact that the lower local coils 10 are not drawn straight, but curved. As with the mechanical structure 19, the flexibility of the mechanical structure 22 can be such that it adapts to its support by itself due to its own weight or is plastically deformed only by the application of an additional force.

[0041] The design of the upper additional part 5 and the design of the lower additional part 6 are independent of each other. Therefore, it is not only possible to create the specific combinations according to the illustrations in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Rather, it is also possible, for example, to design the upper additional part 5 as shown in Fig. 3 and the lower additional part 6 as shown in Fig. 2. It is also possible to design the upper additional part 5 as shown in Fig. 2 and the lower additional part 6 as shown in Fig. 3 to be designed.

[0042] In summary, the present invention relates to the following: A head and neck coil arrangement 3 for magnetic resonance applications on a patient 1 has a base part 4 made of a rigid material, with which the coil arrangement 3 can be placed on a patient bed 2. The coil arrangement 3 further has an upper additional part 5 in which upper local coils 9 are arranged. The upper additional part 5 is movably arranged on the base part 4 and / or is designed to be movable in itself, so that a distance of the upper local coils 9 from the face area, the neck area, and the upper chest area of ​​the patient 1 can be adjusted. The coil arrangement 3 further has a lower additional part 6 in which lower local coils 10 are arranged. The lower additional part 6 is connected to the base part 4 in a lower region, and the upper additional part 5 in an upper region. As a result, the base body 4, the lower additional part 6, and the upper additional part 5 can be manually handled as a unit by a user 14.The lower additional part 6 is height-adjustable from anterior to posterior relative to the base part 4, so that a distance of the lower local coils 10 from the back of the head of the patient 1 can be adjusted.

[0043] The present invention has many advantages. For example, the coil arrangement 3 is universally usable and can be adapted to the anatomy of the patient 1 and other needs as needed. For example, immobilization aids can be inserted into the area between the upper additional part 5 and the patient bed 2 as needed. The immobilization aids can be arranged above or below the lower additional part 6 as needed, for example, when the lower additional part 6 is arranged in the uppermost plug-in position 21 below the lower additional part 6 and when the lower additional part 6 is arranged in the lowest plug-in position 21 above the lower additional part 6. This can also be possible when the lower additional part 6 is configured with a mechanical structure 22 made of a flexible material. These two positioning options can be particularly useful for an RT overlay.

[0044] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2020 / 081 123 A1

[0003] DE 10 2011 075 454 B4

[0004] DE 10 2008 063 629 A1 [0027, 0030]

Claims

[1] Head-neck coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications on a patient (1), - wherein the coil arrangement has a base part (4) made of a rigid material, with which the coil arrangement can be placed on a patient bed (2), - wherein the coil arrangement has an upper additional part (5) in which upper local coils (9) are arranged, - wherein the upper additional part (5) is movably arranged on the base part (4) and / or is designed to be movable in itself, so that a distance of the upper local coils (9) from the face area, the neck area and the upper chest area of ​​the patient (1) can be adjusted, - wherein the coil arrangement has a lower additional part (6) in which lower local coils (10) are arranged, - wherein the lower additional part (6) is connected to the base part (4) in a lower region and the upper additional part (5) is connected to the base part (4) in an upper region, so that the base part (4), the lower additional part (6) and the upper additional part (5) can be manually handled as a unit by a user (14), characterized by that the lower additional part (6) is height-adjustable from anterior to posterior relative to the base part (4), so that a distance of the lower local coils (10) from the back of the patient's head (1) is adjustable. [2] Coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the lower additional part (6) has a mechanical structure (22) made of a flexible material and that the lower local coils (10) are embedded in the mechanical structure (22). [3] Coil arrangement according to claim 2, characterized by that the lower local coils (10) are designed as flexible coils. [4] Coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized bythat the lower additional part (6) is designed as a mechanically rigid element and that the base part (4) has several plug-in positions (21) for the lower additional part (6), which are offset in height from anterior to posterior. [5] Coil arrangement according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the upper additional part (5) is detachably connected to the base part (4). [6] Coil arrangement according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the upper additional part (5) is arranged in such an articulated manner on the base part (4) that the upper additional part (5) can be folded upwards. [7] Coil arrangement according to claim 6, characterized by that the upper additional part (5) has, viewed from superior to inferior, a plurality of links (17), each of which is connected to one another via a joint (18), so that the upper additional part (5) is designed in the manner of a link chain, and that the upper local coils (9) are arranged in the links (17). [8] Coil arrangement according to claim 7, characterized by that, viewed from superior to inferior, one of the joints (18) is arranged in the forehead area, in the chin area and in the neck area of ​​the patient (1). [9] Coil arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the upper additional part (5) has a mechanical structure (19) consisting of a flexible material and that the upper local coils (9) are embedded in the mechanical structure (19). [10] Coil arrangement according to claim 9, characterized by that the upper local coils (9) are designed as flexible coils. [11] Coil arrangement according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the base part (4) has guide elements (7) which interact with corresponding guide elements (8) of the patient bed (2) and guide the base part (4) relative to the patient bed (2) when it is placed on the patient bed (2). [12] Coil arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by that the guide elements (7, 8) guide the base part (4) when placed on the patient bed (2) relative to the patient bed (2) at an angle (α) which is between 30° and 60°. [13] Coil arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that electrical plug connections (12) for transmitting electrical signals between the lower and upper local coils (9, 10) and an evaluation device (11) for magnetic resonance signals are arranged on the base part (4) in such a way that they automatically come into contact with corresponding mating plugs (13) of the patient bed (2) when the base part (4) is placed on the patient bed (2). [14] Coil arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that electrical plug connections (12) for transmitting electrical signals between the lower and upper local coils (9, 10) and an evaluation device (11) for magnetic resonance signals are arranged on the base part (4).

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