Couchtop RF Coil Connector Design for MRI Signal Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in efficiently attaching and detaching RF coils from the couchtop without causing coupling between coil elements, which affects the quality of MR signal reception and imaging accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A couchtop attachment-detachment type RF coil design that forms a cable-free configuration by fitting with a connector embedded in the couchtop, using extended portions to achieve decoupling and ensure equal interlinkage magnetic fluxes, preventing unwanted coupling between RF coil subsidiary and main parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RF coils are attached to and detached from the couchtop, then ease of operation is improved, but coupling between coil elements occurs affecting MR signal reception quality
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil is divided into a main part embedded in the couchtop and a subsidiary part that can be attached and detached. This segmentation allows the coil to be easily configured for different imaging needs while the connector design prevents coupling between segments during attachment and detachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the subsidiary RF coil part and the couchtop. The connector includes specific structural features (protrusion and recess with offset positioning) that enable reliable electrical connection while maintaining spatial separation to prevent magnetic coupling between coil elements.
2Device complexity
If cable-free configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coupling between RF coil elements cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is extracted from the system by using a connector-based attachment mechanism. The connector integrates the electrical connection function while the physical structure of the connector (with offset protrusion and recess) inherently provides coupling prevention without requiring separate cables or shielding structures.
3Reliability
If extended portions are added to achieve decoupling, then MR signal reception quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended portions of the RF coil are designed with curved configurations rather than straight rigid extensions. This curvature allows the extended portions to flex and adapt during attachment while maintaining the decoupling geometry, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to rigid angular extensions.
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
This design enhances the MRI system's ability to prevent coupling between RF coil elements, improving MR signal reception and imaging accuracy by maintaining a balanced magnetic flux, thus ensuring better image quality without the need for cables.
Implementation Method 1
using extended portions to achieve decoupling and ensure equal interlinkage magnetic fluxes, preventing unwanted coupling between RF coil subsidiary and main parts
Data Source
AI summary
A couchtop attachment-detachment type RF coil according to an embodiment is attachable to and detachable from connector embedded in a couchtop of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and forms a cable-free RF coil by being fitted with the connector and thereby joined with a coil element embedded in the couchtop, the cable-free RF coil corresponding to one area to be imaged of a subject.