Flexible MR Coil Array with Zipper Contacts for Patient Adaptability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing MR coil arrays are difficult to accommodate patients of different sizes and body shapes, leading to the need for multiple coil arrays, which is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A flexible MR coil array system using MR coil sheets with zipper connections, allowing for adjustable configuration and geometrically fixed spatial relationships between coil elements, enabling closer placement of metallic conductor loops to the patient for improved SNR and visual verification of connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple coil arrays are stocked for patients of different sizes, then adaptability to different patient body shapes is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different patient body shapesVSAvoidnumber of coil arrays to stock

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coil array is divided into multiple separate coil sheets that can be individually selected and combined. Each sheet contains a portion of the coil elements, and they are assembled together using zipper connections to form a complete array tailored to the patient's body size and shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil array configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The zipper connection mechanisms allow the coil sheets to be easily assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured to adapt to different patient anatomies, enabling a single system to serve multiple sizing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If coil sheets are connected using traditional electrical connectors, then electrical connection is achieved, but visual verification of connections and ease of operation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connecting coil sheetsVSAvoidvisual verification of connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The zipper teeth are designed with visual indicators that change or become apparent when properly connected. The interlocking zipper mechanism provides visual feedback through the alignment and engagement of teeth, allowing operators to easily verify that coil sheets are correctly connected without complex testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The zipper connection mechanism is self-verifying through its mechanical design. When the zipper teeth are properly engaged, the connection is automatically secured and visually confirmed, eliminating the need for separate verification steps or complex connection procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If metallic conductor loops are placed closer to the patient, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidcoil array configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the coil array into separate sheets that can be closely positioned around the patient's body, the system achieves optimal proximity between the conductor loops and the imaging target without requiring a single complex large-scale array design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system provides a highly configurable MR coil array with improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and allows for detuning by unzipping parts, while reducing the need for multiple coil arrays and enhancing imaging efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the MR coil sheets include electrically conductive MR coil element portions configured to be galvanically connected together by the electrically conducting zipper teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic connection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the zipper teeth comprise optically inactive zipper teeth and optical coupler zipper teeth and the MR coil sheets include optical fibers configured for optical coupling together formed by interlocked optical coupler zipper teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

The connecting mechanisms comprise zipper teeth configured to connect the MR coil sheets by interlocking to define zippers connecting the MR coil sheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4405697B1Flexible magnetic resonance coil array using electrical or optical zipper contacts

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A magnetic resonance (MR) coil construction system includes MR coil sheets (20) comprising electrically conductive MR coil elements or MR coil element portions (22) disposed in electrically insulating sheets (26). The MR coil sheets have edges with connecting mechanisms (34, 48) configured to connect the MR coil sheets to construct an MR coil array (44).