Flexible MRI RF Coil Using Distributed Capacitance Loops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MRI RF coils are bulky, rigid, and inflexible, which limits their ability to efficiently couple with anatomy, leading to suboptimal imaging and discomfort for patients, and requires non-ideal sizing and positioning due to coil-to-coil interactions.

Innovation Solution

A flexible RF coil assembly featuring distributed capacitance loops with parallel conductor wires separated by a dielectric material, coupled with miniaturized electronics and interfacing cables, allowing for arbitrary placement and reduced material usage, enabling conformability to patient anatomy and reduced weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional RF coils are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility and conformability to anatomy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to anatomyVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible printed circuit board (FPC) technology to create RF coil elements that can conform to anatomical surfaces. The FPC substrate provides the necessary flexibility while maintaining structural integrity, allowing the coil to adapt to curved body surfaces without compromising its electrical and mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The RF coil assembly is designed with movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic positioning and configuration. The coil elements can be repositioned and reconfigured to optimize anatomical coverage and coupling, transforming the static conventional coil into a dynamic, adaptable imaging system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional RF coils are used, then fixed positioning is maintained, but arbitrary placement and anatomy coverage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearbitrary placement capabilityVSAvoidpositioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RF coil system is divided into multiple independent coil elements or channels that can be individually positioned and configured. Each segment can be independently adjusted to cover specific anatomical regions, allowing arbitrary placement without requiring complex integrated positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil assembly is designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection protocols that enable the same basic structure to be placed in various positions and configurations. This multi-functional design allows the coil to serve different imaging purposes without requiring position-specific customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Weight of moving object

If conventional RF coils are used, then material quantity is sufficient for structural integrity, but weight and cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil weightVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes composite material structures combining FPC substrates with conductive traces and dielectric layers. This composite approach provides sufficient structural integrity and electrical performance while minimizing weight, as the thin-film composite structure achieves mechanical strength through material composition rather than mass

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The FPC-based coil design enables the use of cost-effective, potentially disposable coil elements. The simplified construction using standard FPC manufacturing processes reduces material costs and assembly complexity, making the system economically viable even with reduced material quantity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution provides a lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective RF coil assembly that can be positioned arbitrarily to optimize anatomy coverage, reducing material usage and manufacturing costs while improving patient comfort and imaging quality.

Implementation Method 1

a distributed capacitance loop portion comprising two parallel conductor wires encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material, the two parallel conductor wires maintained separate by the dielectric material along an entire length of the loop portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

a distributed capacitance loop portion comprising two parallel conductor wires encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3545322B1Systems for a radio frequency coil for mr imaging

Publication Date: 2022.05.04 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, and low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a RF coil assembly for an MRI system includes a distributed capacitance loop portion comprising two parallel conductor wires encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material, the two parallel conductor wires maintained separate by the dielectric material along an entire length of the loop portion between terminating ends thereof, a coupling electronics portion including a pre-amplifier, and a coil-interfacing cable extending between the coupling electronics portion and an interfacing connector of the RF coil assembly.