Flexible MR Coil Separation Layer for Patient Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance tomography systems face challenges in achieving optimal signal-to-noise ratio and image quality due to the rigid nature of local coils, which do not accommodate varying patient anatomies effectively, leading to suboptimal image quality, especially for patients with unique body shapes.

Innovation Solution

A coil arrangement featuring a perforated, single-piece, planar matrix coil separation layer that is compression-resistant and adjustable to curved surfaces, allowing for better fitting to the examination object while maintaining a consistent distance, thereby enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rigid local coils are used, then the coil structure maintains stability and fixed shape, but the coil cannot adapt to different patient anatomies resulting in suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different patient anatomiesVSAvoidcoil structure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coil arrangement employs a flexible support structure that allows dynamic adaptation to different patient body shapes and sizes. The support structure can be bent and shaped to conform to various anatomies while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the coil elements to position optimally for each patient without requiring multiple rigid coil designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a flexible support structure that acts as a thin, adaptable layer between the coil elements and the patient's body. This flexible structure allows the coil arrangement to conform to different anatomical surfaces while maintaining the necessary spacing and geometric relationships between coil elements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible coil structures are used, then the coil can adapt to different body shapes, but the coil arrangement creates bulges and subregions resulting in inconsistent distance from the examination object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reproduce three-dimensional shapingsVSAvoiduniformity of coil surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The coil arrangement is divided into multiple coil elements mounted on a segmented support structure. This segmentation allows each portion of the support structure to independently conform to local anatomical variations while maintaining the overall geometric relationships between coil elements, preventing bulges and ensuring uniform spacing across the entire coil arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimensional degree of freedom by using a three-dimensional adjustable support structure that can be shaped in multiple directions. This allows the coil arrangement to adapt to complex body contours while maintaining a consistent spatial relationship between the coil elements and the examination object, eliminating surface irregularities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of stationary object

If the coil separation layer is made thick to maintain safety distance, then the distance between coils and examination object is maintained, but the flexibility and ability to conform to curved surfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety distance between coil and examination objectVSAvoidflexibility to conform to curved surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coil separation layer is designed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that maintains the necessary safety distance while being able to bend and conform to curved body surfaces. The thin-walled construction provides sufficient spacing between the coil elements and the patient's body while allowing the separation layer to adapt to various anatomical shapes without compromising the safety distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The separation layer utilizes composite material construction that combines rigidity for maintaining spacing with flexibility for conforming to surfaces. This composite structure achieves the dual requirement of preserving a consistent safety distance while adapting to curved examination object surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11041920B2MR coil arrangement with flexible coil separation layer

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A coil arrangement for a magnetic resonance tomography system is provided. The coil arrangement has at least one coil separation layer that includes a matrix that is perforated, single-piece, and planar. The matrix is compression-resistant in a vertical direction relative to a surface of the matrix, but may be adjusted to a curved surface by bending. A method for producing a coil arrangement and a magnetic resonance imaging system are also provided.