Contactless MRI Local Coil Using Wireless Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional local coils in MRI systems face challenges with complex and fragile mechanical connections, which are difficult to clean and prone to breakage, limiting their usability and image quality due to limited signal-to-noise ratio improvements.
Innovation Solution
A local coil system utilizing contactless connectors, such as inductive or capacitive coupling, with a signal processing unit for signal preprocessing and quadrature modulation, allowing for non-pin contact coupling and easier cleaning, and the use of a signal processing unit inside the coil to facilitate transmission of signals without the need for precision mechanical connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coil plugs with radio frequency coaxial connectors are used to connect local coil signals to the MRI system, then signal transmission is achieved, but the connection becomes complex, fragile, and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pin-based radio frequency connector system with a wireless signal transmission system. The local coil uses a wireless transmitter to transmit signals and data to the MRI system receiver, eliminating physical contact points, pins, and coaxial connectors. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing mechanical complexity and fragility while maintaining reliable signal transmission through electromagnetic coupling.
2Measurement precision
If precision mechanical connectors are used for signal transmission, then signal quality is maintained, but the connectors are easily broken and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmission system replaces precision mechanical connectors with electromagnetic signal coupling. Signals are transmitted wirelessly from the local coil transmitter to the MRI system receiver, eliminating the need for physical connectors that require precision alignment and are difficult to clean. This maintains signal quality through controlled electromagnetic coupling while dramatically improving ease of maintenance as there are no mechanical parts to clean or replace.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple radio frequency pins are used to connect coil element signals, then signal coverage is improved, but the connector size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmission system replaces the physical radio frequency pin connector with electromagnetic signal transmission. Multiple coil element signals are transmitted wirelessly from the local coil to the MRI system, eliminating the need for heavy metal pin connectors. This allows for multiple coil elements to be connected without increasing connector weight, as the wireless system transmits multiple signals through electromagnetic fields rather than physical conductors.
4Reliability
If conventional coil plugs are used for connection, then signal transmission is established, but the connectors are complicated and time-consuming to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmission system replaces the complex mechanical assembly of coil plugs with wireless electromagnetic coupling. The local coil transmitter wirelessly transmits signals to the MRI system receiver without requiring manual insertion, alignment, or connection of mechanical components. This establishes reliable signal connection while dramatically reducing assembly time, as wireless connection is achieved through automatic electromagnetic coupling rather than manual mechanical assembly.
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 simplifies connections, enhances image quality by improving signal-to-noise ratio, and makes the local coil more durable and easier to maintain, enabling convenient daily use without the need for precision radio frequency connectors.
Implementation Method 1
the first contactless connectors and/or the second contactless connectors are inductive coupling connectors
Implementation Method 2
the first contactless connectors and/or the second contactless connectors are capacitive coupling connectors
Implementation Method 3
M quadrature modulators, each of the quadrature modulators corresponding to two low-pass filters and configured to perform quadrature modulation on signals output by the two low-pass filters according to a set carrier frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for a local coil and a magnetic resonance imaging system. The local coil includes a plurality of coil units that respectively receive magnetic resonance signals generated when magnetic resonance detection is performed on a detected object, and a signal processing unit configured to perform processing including signal preprocessing and quadrature modulation on the magnetic resonance signals received by the plurality of coil units to obtain signals to be transmitted. Contactless connectors are also disclosed, each being configured to couple the signals to be transmitted to a contactless connector at the MR system side.