Flexible MRI Saddle Array Coil Reducing Mutual Inductance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems using flexible array coils face challenges with increased mutual inductance in cylindrical and half-cylindrical configurations, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to overlapping coil elements, which complicates decoupling and reduces flexibility when integrating transformers or capacitors.
Innovation Solution
A saddle-based flexible array coil design featuring overlapping saddle coil elements with loops connected by segments that cross each other, reducing mutual inductance and noise, and improving SNR by minimizing magnetic flux and noise contributions from connection segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible array coils are configured in cylindrical or half-cylindrical shapes with overlapping coil elements, then the adaptability to various anatomical configurations is improved, but the mutual inductance between coil elements increases leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The coil array is divided into multiple discrete coil elements arranged in a segmented pattern around the cylindrical or half-cylindrical configuration. Each coil element is spatially separated and oriented to minimize overlapping magnetic flux paths, thereby reducing mutual inductance while maintaining the ability to conform to various anatomical shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil elements are positioned and oriented with specific local characteristics to optimize their individual performance while minimizing interference with neighboring elements. The overlapping is controlled to occur in regions where it does not significantly increase mutual inductance, allowing the array to maintain both adaptability and high signal-to-noise ratio.
2Reliability
If decoupling structures such as transformers or capacitors are integrated into overlapping coil elements, then the mutual inductance is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling function is merged directly into the coil element structure itself rather than being added as separate external components. The coil windings are configured to inherently provide decoupling through their geometric arrangement, eliminating the need for additional transformers or capacitors and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining mutual inductance reduction.
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 saddle-based flexible array coil effectively reduces mutual inductance and noise, enhancing the SNR of MRI images across various anatomical configurations, including cylindrical and half-cylindrical shapes, while maintaining flexibility and simplicity in design.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second saddle coil elements each comprise a left loop and a right loop coupled to the left loop by two connection segments... reducing mutual inductance and noise
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a flexible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) array coil configured to operate in at least one of a transmit (Tx) mode or a receive (Rx) mode. The MRI RF array coil includes a first row of saddle coil elements. At least a first saddle coil element and a second saddle coil element are in the first row. The first and second saddle coil elements partially overlap with one another. Each of the first and second saddle coil elements include a left loop and a right loop that is coupled to the left loop by two connection segments.