Flexible MRI RF Coil Array for Interventional Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI RF coils are bulky, rigid, and inflexible, making them uncomfortable for patients and limiting their ability to efficiently couple with anatomy, which hinders effective imaging during interventional and surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A flexible RF coil array with distributed capacitance loops made of parallel wire conductors separated by a dielectric material, coupled with miniaturized electronics and baluns, allowing for deformation and adjustable shape to conform to anatomy and reduce magnetic and electric coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional RF coils are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil is divided into multiple independent flexible elements or segments that can be individually positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the coil to adapt to complex anatomical surfaces while maintaining structural integrity through modular connections between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF coil incorporates dynamic, adjustable components that allow real-time reconfiguration of coil elements during imaging procedures. This enables the system to transition between different structural states - from stable fixed positions to flexible adapted configurations - resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional fixed-position RF coils are used, then coil-to-coil interaction is controlled, but anatomical coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the RF coil array are designed with locally optimized properties - some areas have higher element density for detailed anatomical coverage while other areas have spaced elements to minimize interactions. Each local region can be independently configured based on the specific anatomical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF coil system transitions from traditional two-dimensional planar arrays to three-dimensional volumetric configurations. This additional spatial dimension enables comprehensive anatomical coverage while maintaining adequate spacing between elements to reduce harmful coil-to-coil interactions through improved spatial distribution.
3Ease of operation
If conventional bulky RF coils are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but patient comfort and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil employs thin, flexible shell structures and film-based elements instead of bulky rigid housings. This allows the coil to conform closely to patient anatomy, improving comfort and accessibility for interventional procedures while maintaining structural integrity through the flexible material properties and engineered support structures.
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 flexible RF coil array provides improved anatomical coverage, comfort, and reduced material usage, enabling interventional procedures without removing the coils and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio while minimizing magnetic field interactions.
Implementation Method 1
a distributed capacitance loop portion comprising two parallel wire conductors encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material, the two parallel wire conductors maintained separate by the dielectric material along an entire length of the loop portion
Implementation Method 2
anterior radio frequency (RF) coil array for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a distributed capacitance loop portion comprising two parallel wire conductors encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material
Implementation Method 3
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging modality that can create images of the inside of a human body... As the nuclear spins relax back to their rest energy state, they release the absorbed energy in the form of an MR signal. This signal is detected by the MRI system
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil array of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a RF coil assembly for a MRI system includes a loop portion comprising distributed capacitance wire conductors, a coupling electronics portion including a pre-amplifier. A coupler slidably connects two adjacent coil loops together. An open area is formed inside the loops enabling tissue manipulation or biopsies from interventional or surgical procedures.