Flexible MRI RF Coil Assembly for Lightweight Tuned Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI coil assemblies are bulky, heavy, and costly, making them inefficient for imaging due to their large volume and weight, which complicates scan operations and discomforts patients, while also compromising image quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The MRI RF coil assembly incorporates a control circuit that adjusts the operation of the coil between detuned and tuned states via input control signals, utilizing a frequency modulation circuit, detuning circuit, and preamplifier, and features a metal fabric layer conductor for improved signal-to-noise ratio and flexibility, allowing for a more compact and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional coil assemblies use thick mechanical housing and mounted electronic components, then the coil assembly has sufficient structural strength and protection, but the volume and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) to replace conventional rigid mechanical housing and mounted electronic components. The FPC provides both structural support and electrical connectivity in a thin, flexible form factor, dramatically reducing the coil assembly's volume and weight while maintaining necessary structural integrity and component protection.
2Reliability
If conventional coil assemblies use thick mechanical housing, then electronic components are protected, but the preparation cost and preparation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing function and electronic component mounting function into a single integrated flexible printed circuit board structure. The FPC serves as both the protective enclosure and the circuit carrier, eliminating the need for separate mechanical housing and component mounting processes, thereby reducing preparation difficulty and cost while maintaining component protection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional coil assemblies have large volume and weight, then structural stability is maintained, but patient comfort deteriorates and scan operation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board enables the coil assembly to be thin and adaptable in shape, allowing it to conform to various body parts and patient anatomies. This flexibility dramatically improves patient comfort during scanning while simplifying the positioning and operation process, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures required by rigid, bulky conventional coils.
4Measurement precision
If conventional coil assemblies have large volume, then sufficient signal reception coverage is achieved, but imaging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board allows the coil elements to be arranged in optimized patterns and configurations that maximize signal reception coverage within a compact form factor. The flexibility enables close positioning of multiple coil elements without the bulk of conventional housing, improving imaging efficiency through better signal-to-noise ratio and faster scanning capabilities while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
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 solution reduces the volume and weight of the coil assembly, enhances patient comfort, simplifies scan operations, and improves image quality by optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio and flexibility of the MRI system.
Implementation Method 1
a coil assembly (e.g., a radio frequency receiving coil assembly) may be configured to emit pulse signals to a subject and/or receive MR signals from the subject
Implementation Method 2
Each of the one or more control circuits may be configured to adjust an operation of the coil that is electrically connected with the control circuit based on an input control signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil assembly. The MRI RF coil assembly may include one or more coils and one or more control circuits. Each of the one or more coils may include a first end and a second end. Each of the one or more control circuits may electrically connect the first end and the second end of one of the one or more coil. Each of the one or more control circuits may be configured to adjust an operation of the coil that is electrically connected with the control circuit based on an input control signal. The one or more control circuits may be located at different regions.