Flexible Connector RF Coil for MRI Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio frequency coils in MRI systems face challenges in achieving high receiving performance due to coupling between coil elements, which reduces the signal-to-noise ratio and prevents effective MR signal reception at joints, leading to incomplete MR image capture.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flexible connector system between rigid housings supporting coil elements, allowing for adjustable overlap and alignment to suppress induced currents, thereby maintaining decoupling and enhancing receiving performance while accommodating uneven subject surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If joints are provided between elements to suppress coupling, then coupling between elements is reduced, but receiving performance at joints deteriorates because joints do not have receiving function
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connector is designed to serve dual functions: it acts as a joint connecting elements while simultaneously functioning as a receiving element itself. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by ensuring that joints can both suppress coupling between elements and maintain receiving performance for capturing MR signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector changes the physical state and configuration parameters of the coil assembly, allowing it to adapt to uneven body surfaces while maintaining electrical connectivity and receiving function at joint regions, thereby preserving both decoupling and receiving capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If receiving coil is bent to contact uneven body surfaces, then contact with subject is improved, but coupling between elements increases reducing signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connector functions as a flexible joint that allows the receiving coil to conform to uneven body surfaces while maintaining electrical isolation and decoupling between elements. This flexibility enables adaptation to various body shapes without inducing harmful coupling currents, thus preserving signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the receiving coil to adjust its configuration to match the contours of the body surface while maintaining stable electrical characteristics and decoupling between elements throughout the adaptation process.
3Area of stationary object
If elements are disposed side by side to cover body surface, then coverage is improved, but coupling between elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connector acts as an intermediary element between adjacent coil elements, providing both mechanical connection and electrical isolation. This mediator structure enables close spacing of elements for comprehensive body coverage while preventing harmful coupling between them through proper electrical decoupling design.
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 configuration effectively suppresses coupling between coil elements, maintains decoupling, and improves MR signal reception, leading to enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and complete MR image capture, even at joints and uneven body surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The first housing and the second housing are connected by a flexible connector
Implementation Method 2
If coupling occurs between elements disposed side by side in the receiving coil, a radio frequency current flowing in one element causes a radio frequency current, that is, an induced current to flow in another element
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency coil according to an embodiment configured to receive a magnetic resonance signal from a subject by a plurality of coil elements including a first coil element and a second coil element. The first coil element and the second coil element are supported by a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing being rigid. The first housing and the second housing are connected by a flexible connector. The first coil element overlaps the second coil element at least part of the connector.