Adjustable MRI Coil with Variable Opening for Guided Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI coil arrangements for guided procedures have fixed opening sizes that compromise between image quality and access, often failing to provide sufficient detail for precise needle placement and maintaining a sterile field, especially when multiple needles are involved.
Innovation Solution
A flexible MRI coil arrangement with variable opening sizes, achieved through interconnected coil elements and adjustable spacers that can be configured in various geometries, allowing for arbitrary adjustment and sensor-activated parameter modification in the MRI system for optimal imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a standard MR coil array with fixed openings is used, then image quality is maintained, but access for needle placement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coil array is designed with adjustable coil elements that can be dynamically repositioned along rails to change the opening size and configuration. This dynamic adjustment allows the coil to adapt between providing large openings for needle access and maintaining optimal geometry for high-quality imaging, resolving the contradiction between access and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil array is divided into multiple independently adjustable coil elements rather than a fixed structure. Each coil element can be repositioned separately, allowing the system to segment the functionality between providing access openings and maintaining imaging quality, with each element contributing to both goals depending on its position.
2Ease of operation
If a large loop coil is used to provide access, then needle insertion is facilitated, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coil array transitions from a static large-loop configuration to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. By adjusting coil element positions, the system can create large openings when needed for easy needle insertion while maintaining the ability to reconfigure into optimized imaging geometries, thus achieving both ease of operation and high measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed coil openings are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different procedures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable coil array serves multiple functions: it can be configured for single-needle procedures, multi-needle procedures, different target locations, and various imaging geometries. This multi-functionality allows a single device to adapt to diverse procedural requirements without requiring multiple specialized coils, thereby increasing procedure adaptability while managing complexity through a unified adjustable platform.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable coil arrangement for use with MRI-guided procedures is provided that facilitates optimal imaging for both pre-procedure planning and imaging of the target sites during the procedure. The coil arrangement includes a plurality of connected coil elements. Spacers connecting the coil elements can be adjustable and/or deformable to provide one or more openings in the coil arrangement of optimal size for accessing the subject within the imaged region. Individual coil elements can also be removed to provide access openings during such procedures, or left in the array for improved pre- and post-procedure image quality. The MRI system can be configured to detect configurations of the coil arrangement and modify imaging parameters to optimize image quality.