Flexible MRI Local Coil Array for Real-Time Instrument Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional local coils for magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) are cumbersome and limit real-time monitoring during minimally invasive interventions due to their proximity to the imaging area and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A local coil with a flexible carrier body and distributed electrical antennas, including printed circuit boards and capacitors/inductances, designed for percutaneous use, allowing flexible access and improved signal reception with reduced size and sensitivity to magnetic resonance signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional local coils are used for magnetic resonance signal detection, then signal reception is improved, but the device occupies excessive space and limits real-time monitoring during interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The local coil is segmented into multiple individual antenna elements arranged in a matrix pattern on a flexible carrier body. This segmentation allows the coil to maintain signal reception capabilities while reducing overall device bulk and enabling flexible positioning during medical interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern on the carrier body surface, transitioning from traditional three-dimensional coil structures to a planar configuration. This dimensional change reduces space occupation while maintaining effective signal detection area.
2Measurement precision
If conventional local coils are positioned close to the imaging area for improved signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna elements are mounted on a flexible carrier body that can conform to body surfaces and be positioned close to the imaging area. This flexible film structure simplifies the overall device complexity compared to rigid conventional coils while enabling close proximity positioning for improved signal-to-noise ratio.
3Measurement precision
If multiple antenna elements are distributed over the carrier body for improved signal detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible carrier body with distributed antenna elements can be dynamically positioned and conformed to body surfaces, allowing the device to maintain compact form factor while enabling multiple antenna elements to be strategically placed for optimal signal detection without excessive area occupation.
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 real-time monitoring during minimally invasive interventions with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and reduced sensitivity to static discharges and eddy currents, facilitating efficient magnetic resonance signal detection.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic resonance tomography units are imaging apparatuses that, so as to map an examination object, align nuclear spins of the examination object with a strong external magnetic field and excite the nuclear spins via an alternating magnetic field so as to facilitate precession around this alignment. The precession or return of the spins from this excited state to a lower energy state generates, in response, an alternating magnetic field that is received via antennas.
Implementation Method 2
The precession or return of the spins from this excited state to a lower energy state generates, in response, an alternating magnetic field that is received via antennas.
Implementation Method 3
the electrical antenna has a capacitor and/or an inductance. These electrical components may be configured so that the electrical antenna is resonant at a predetermined frequency that corresponds to a Larmor frequency of a magnetic resonance signal that is to be detected using the local coil
Data Source
AI summary
A local coil for percutaneous magnetic resonance tomography (MRT)-assisted minimally invasive intervention. The local coil has a carrier body for flat arrangement on a body surface of a patient, a plurality of antennas distributed in a predetermined arrangement over the carrier body, and a plurality of openings in the carrier body for passing medical instruments therethrough.