Adjustable MRI Head Coil Plates for Signal-to-Noise Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI head coils are rigid and optimized for large head sizes, leading to reduced image quality when used for smaller heads due to excess room, resulting in suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable MRI head coil apparatus with a fixture and multiple plates, each equipped with RF receive elements, connected via pivots and an actuator mechanism to adjust their position, allowing for fitting various head sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rigid head coil is used to accommodate a large patient head, then the coil structure is simple and stable, but the image quality deteriorates when imaging smaller heads due to excess room reducing signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The head coil employs adjustable plates connected via pivots that can rotate and reposition relative to each other, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic one. This allows the coil to adapt its internal dimensions to match different head sizes, optimizing the distance between RF receive elements and the patient's head for improved signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining structural stability during imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The head coil is divided into multiple independent plates (front plate, back plate, side plates) that can be individually adjusted. Each plate contains RF receive elements and can be positioned separately via pivots, allowing flexible configuration to accommodate various head sizes and shapes without requiring a completely different coil design
2Measurement precision
If the RF receive elements are positioned closer to the patient's head to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then image quality improves, but the coil must be adjustable to maintain this proximity across different head sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The head coil incorporates an actuator mechanism that automatically adjusts the plate positions based on the detected head size, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by operators. The system self-regulates the distance between RF receive elements and the patient's head, ensuring optimal signal-to-noise ratio across different head sizes while simplifying the operation for technicians
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustable plates with pivots are used to accommodate various head sizes, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connections serve multiple functions: they enable adjustment of plate positions, provide stable support during imaging, and allow the coil to accommodate various head sizes and shapes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high adaptability across different patient populations
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable MRI head coil apparatus and MRI system include a fixture and a plurality of plates attached to the fixture. Each of the plurality of plates includes a plurality of RF receive elements arranged in a fixed orientation. The adjustable MRI head coil apparatus and MRI system also include an actuator mechanism configured to adjust the relative position of each of the plurality of plates in order to fit a variety of different patient head sizes.