Disposable MRI Local Coil with Detachable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI coils used in interventional procedures are expensive due to the inclusion of electrical devices like preamplifiers and matching circuits, making them costly to dispose after use, and they do not provide an adequate signal-to-noise ratio for image-guided procedures.
Innovation Solution
A local MRI coil design featuring a single coil element surrounded by an opening and two additional coil elements, supported by a housing with an interface containing preamplifiers and other electronic devices, which are detachable and positioned outside the coil to reduce production costs, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio through a loop/butterfly coil arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional MRI coils include electrical devices like preamplifiers and matching circuits, then the coil can function properly for MRI imaging, but the cost increases making it expensive to dispose after use
Solution Approach 1:
The MRI coil system is divided into two segments: a disposable coil assembly containing only the coil element and housing, and a reusable interface containing the expensive electrical devices (preamplifiers, matching circuits). This segmentation allows the disposable portion to be inexpensive while maintaining full functionality through the reusable interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The expensive electrical devices (preamplifiers, matching circuits, detuning circuits) are extracted from the disposable coil assembly and placed in a separate reusable interface. Only the essential coil element and housing remain in the disposable portion, dramatically reducing its cost while preserving imaging functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single loop coil is used for interventional procedures, then the coil is simple and cost-effective, but the signal-to-noise ratio is insufficient for high-quality imaging
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coil elements (single loop coil element and butterfly coil elements) are merged into a single integrated housing with a shared opening. This combination provides the signal-to-noise ratio benefits of multiple coils while maintaining the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of a single disposable unit.
3Ease of operation
If conventional MRI coils are placed in sterile plastic bags with openings, then interventional access is provided, but the signal-to-noise ratio is compromised compared to local coils
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is segmented into functional elements arranged to provide both interventional access and optimal imaging performance. The housing with opening allows tool access while coil elements are positioned to maintain signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil design transitions from a simple planar loop to a three-dimensional arrangement with butterfly coil elements extending in multiple directions. This dimensional change enables interventional access through the housing opening while maintaining close proximity to the imaging target for optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
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 design provides a cost-effective solution with a 1.4 times higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to single loop coils, enabling efficient image-guided interventional procedures while allowing for interventional access and reducing disposal costs.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil
Implementation Method 2
receiving signals from the object under investigation via the MRI coil
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide interventional access during an image-guided interventional procedure, while increasing the signal-to-noise ratio for generated images compared to a single loop coil, a local coil includes a single coil element disposed around an opening through the local coil and two coil elements positioned on opposite sides of the single coil element. The opening provides access for an interventional tool used during the image-guided interventional procedure.