Adaptive Compression RF Coil for MRI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for retaining a coil during magnetic resonance imaging, such as hook and loop fasteners and rigid positioners, are difficult to use, hard to position, and do not effectively account for contoured surfaces or varying anatomical sizes, leading to suboptimal coil retention.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive compression system for a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly, which includes a flexible enclosure with a malleable conductor RF coil and an adaptive compression system featuring a flexible retaining element, cordage, and a tension adjustment mechanism to securely and comfortably position the coil on the subject.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hook and loop fastener straps or rigid positioners are used to retain the coil, then the coil can be secured to the patient, but the system becomes difficult to use, hard to position, and does not effectively account for contoured surfaces or varying anatomical sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible compression garment made of elastic material that can conform to contoured body surfaces and varying anatomical sizes. This flexible garment replaces rigid positioners and hook-and-loop straps, allowing it to adapt to different patient bodies while maintaining secure coil retention. The flexibility enables easy positioning and removal without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression garment incorporates adjustable compression parameters through a tensioning mechanism that allows modification of the compression force. This enables the system to adapt to varying anatomical sizes and contoured surfaces by adjusting the compression level, thereby maintaining reliable coil retention across different patients while simplifying the ease of operation.
2Reliability
If traditional straps and positioners are used, then the coil can be retained to the body, but they do not effectively account for contoured surfaces such as shoulders, breasts, ankles, hips
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible compression garment made of elastic material naturally conforms to contoured body surfaces including shoulders, breasts, ankles, and hips. This flexibility allows the garment to adapt to various anatomical shapes and contours, providing reliable coil retention without requiring multiple specialized positioners for different body parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The single flexible compression garment serves multiple functions across different anatomical regions. It can be used for various body parts (shoulders, breasts, ankles, hips) by adjusting the compression and positioning, eliminating the need for multiple specialized retention devices and providing universal adaptability.
3Reliability
If varying rigid positioners and foam supports are used, then the coil can be positioned on the patient, but the setup time increases and scanner throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible compression garment allows for rapid donning and doffing compared to rigid positioners and foam supports. The elastic material can be quickly stretched and secured around the patient's body, significantly reducing setup time and allowing for higher scanner throughput while maintaining reliable coil positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression garment incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through its elastic properties and tensioning mechanism. This allows for quick adjustment to different body shapes and sizes without requiring time-consuming reconfiguration, thereby reducing setup time and increasing scanner throughput while maintaining positioning reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An RF receiving coil assembly for an MRI system includes a flexible enclosure and an RF coil disposed within the flexible enclosure. The flexible enclosure is configured to be disposed on a first side of a portion of a subject to be imaged. The RF receiving coil assembly further includes an adaptive compression system. The adaptive compression system includes a flexible retaining element separate from the flexible enclosure that is configured to be disposed on a second side of the portion of the subject. The adaptive compression system also at least one band coupled to both the flexible enclosure and the flexible retaining element. The adaptive compression system includes a tension adjustment mechanism coupled to the at least one band and configured to adjust a tension of the at least one band to adjust how tight the flexible enclosure is disposed about the portion of the subject to be imaged.