Flexible RF Coil Array for MRI Patient Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI RF coil arrays are inflexible and cannot accommodate patients of varying sizes, leading to inadequate imaging due to fixed configurations that do not fit patients outside the average size range, and the cost of multiple coil arrays limits their availability in medical facilities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible RF coil array with a support structure allowing individual RF coils to be positioned in either an underlapped or overlapped configuration, enabling adjustable spacing and shape to fit different patient sizes and anatomies, using a matrix of RF coils that can be expanded or retracted and mechanically coupled with flexible substrates and attachment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF coil array is designed with fixed spacing for average-sized patient, then imaging quality for average patient is improved, but imaging capability for patients of different sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil array employs a flexible support structure that enables dynamic adjustment of coil spacing and configuration. The support structure allows coils to be repositioned between overlapped and underlapped configurations, transforming a static fixed-spacing design into a dynamic adjustable system that adapts to different patient sizes while maintaining imaging quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of coil spacing from a fixed value to an adjustable range. By modifying the spacing parameter between coils (from overlapped to underlapped configurations), the system can optimize imaging performance for various patient anatomies without requiring multiple dedicated coil arrays
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RF coil arrays of different sizes are purchased to accommodate various patient sizes, then adaptability to different patient sizes is improved, but cost and device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil array is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can serve multiple patient size categories. The flexible support structure with adjustable coil spacing allows a single coil array to perform the function of multiple fixed-size arrays, eliminating the need to purchase and manage separate coil arrays for different patient populations
3Reliability
If RF coils are positioned in overlapped configuration, then isolation between coils is improved, but coverage area and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure enables dynamic reconfiguration of coil spacing, allowing the system to switch between overlapped configuration (for better isolation) and underlapped configuration (for expanded coverage). This dynamic capability resolves the trade-off by allowing optimization of either parameter depending on imaging requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency (RF) coil array that includes an RF coil support structure, and a plurality of RF coils coupled to the RF coil support structure, the RF coil support structure configured to enable the plurality of RF coils to be positioned in an underlap configuration and repositioned to an overlap configuration. A medical imaging system and a method of manufacturing the RF coil array are also described herein.