Breast MRI Coil with Switchable HF Correction Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance tomography devices face challenges in producing homogeneous B1 field distribution due to inhomogeneous tissue penetration, leading to asymmetric distortion and reduced diagnostic quality, especially in breast imaging at high magnetic field strengths.
Innovation Solution
A breast coil with HF correction coil elements that can be switched between different operational modes to resonate constructively or destructively with the B1 field, allowing for homogenization of the B1 field distribution, and can be used in conjunction with existing magnetic resonance tomography devices without modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high magnetic field strengths are used for magnetic resonance tomography, then the signal strength and resolution are improved, but the B1 field distribution becomes increasingly inhomogeneous due to tissue conductivity and eddy currents
Solution Approach 1:
The breast coil is divided into multiple independent coil elements (first, second, third, and fourth coil elements) arranged in a specific pattern. Each coil element can be independently controlled to generate specific B1 field components, allowing the system to segment the field correction task and combine the effects to achieve overall homogenization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different coil elements are positioned to address local field inhomogeneities in specific regions of the breast. The first and second coil elements target one breast region while the third and fourth elements target another region, providing locally optimized field distribution rather than a uniform approach.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional breast coils are used without HF correction elements, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the B1 field exhibits asymmetric distortion and inhomogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conventional receiving coil functionality with HF correction capabilities into a single integrated breast coil assembly. The same coil elements that receive magnetic resonance signals also function as HF correction elements, merging two functions into one structure to avoid additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil elements serve dual purposes: they act as receiving coils for detecting magnetic resonance signals from the breast tissue and simultaneously function as HF correction coils to generate corrective B1 fields. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate correction coil systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If HF correction coil elements are added to the breast coil, then the B1 field homogeneity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil elements are arranged in an asymmetric configuration optimized for correcting the specific asymmetric distortion patterns caused by eddy currents in breast tissue. The first and second coil elements are positioned differently from the third and fourth elements, with each position strategically chosen to address particular field inhomogeneity patterns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution improves the homogeneity of the B1 field, resulting in better magnetic resonance images by actively correcting for field inhomogeneities, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
The HF correction coil element is constructed such that, in the HF correction mode of operation, the HF correction coil element resonates passively with a B1 field emitted by a transmission antenna arrangement of the magnetic resonance tomography device
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic resonance signals induce a voltage in the individual antennas of the local coils
Data Source
AI summary
A breast coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device for the production of magnetic resonance recordings of female breasts includes a coil housing having a breast recess to accommodate a breast and a number of coil elements. At least one of the coil elements forms an HF correction coil element and has a circuit arrangement to switch over the HF correction coil element between an HF correction mode of operation and another mode of operation. The HF correction coil element is constructed such that in the HF correction mode of operation, the HF correction coil element resonates passively with a B1 field emitted by a transmission antenna arrangement of the magnetic resonance tomography device, and influences a local B1 field distribution during a magnetic resonance recording.