Expandable MR Coil With Conductive Fluid Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MR coils are rigid and inflexible, making it difficult to adjust them to fit patients of varying sizes effectively, which can affect the signal-to-noise ratio and require frequent retuning.
Innovation Solution
An MR coil with expandable conductor sections filled with conductive fluid, such as a gallium-indium alloy, allowing for expansion and bending to fit different patient sizes while maintaining consistent resistance and signal quality, and an additional expandable conductor section with variable resistance to adjust settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid housing or plastic casing is used for local coils, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different patient sizes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the coil structure expandable and flexible rather than rigid. The coil can change its size and shape dynamically to adapt to different patient bodies, transitioning from a fixed configuration to an adjustable one that conforms to various anatomical shapes and sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the coil into multiple independent antenna elements that can be individually adjusted and positioned. Each antenna element can be separately optimized for different patient areas, allowing the overall coil system to adapt to various patient sizes and body shapes while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional fixed-size local coils are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the coil by making the conductor sections expandable. The coil can alter its dimensions, shape, and surface area to optimize contact with different patient bodies, thereby improving signal reception and maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio across various patient types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining flexible conductive elements with appropriate housing materials. This creates a coil that is both manufacturable and adaptable, integrating rigid structural support with flexible conductive sections that can conform to patient bodies while maintaining electrical performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expandable conductor sections are added to MR coil, then adaptability to patient sizes improves, but resistance stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shell structures for the conductor sections that maintain electrical continuity while allowing mechanical expansion. The flexible housing and thin film conductive layers enable the coil to stretch and conform to different patient bodies without compromising electrical resistance or signal quality.
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
Enables a single MR coil to fit various patient sizes without compromising signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for easier adjustment and retuning by maintaining consistent resistance and reflection factor across expansion, and providing a robust and reliable conductive path.
Implementation Method 1
The core of conductive fluid causes the current to be conducted in a reliable manner. In particular, any resistance of the expandable conductor section may be largely independent of the extent or degree of expansion
Implementation Method 2
The core of conductive fluid causes the current to be conducted in a reliable manner. Independence of resistance to expansion is advantageous in contrast to expandable conductors made from plastic with incorporated electrically conductive powders
Data Source
AI summary
An MR coil is provided including at least one antenna element. The antenna element has at least one expandable conductor section with a plastic cover and a core including conductive fluid.