Flexible RF Coil Arrays for Complex MRI Body Regions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiofrequency coils for magnetic resonance imaging are not suitable for complex body regions such as the neck, elbows, and shoulders due to limited flexibility and rigidity, which restricts their usability.

Innovation Solution

A radiofrequency coil design featuring flexible protective layers and coil units that can bend in multiple directions, forming a three-dimensional structure to conform to complex body parts, with a transmission line and preamplifier separated from the coil units to enhance flexibility and impedance matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional radiofrequency coils are used, then the coil structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the coil cannot conform to complex body regions such as neck, elbows, and shoulders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex body regionsVSAvoidcoil structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiofrequency coil is divided into multiple independent coil portions, each capable of being configured independently. Each coil portion includes flexible protective layers and flexible coil units that can be separately manufactured and then assembled together to form complex three-dimensional structures suitable for different body regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil portions are designed to extend in multiple spatial dimensions and can be configured to form three-dimensional structures. The flexible coil units are disposed on flexible protective layers in arrangements that enable the coil to wrap around and conform to complex curved surfaces of body regions such as neck, elbows, and shoulders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the coil is made flexible to conform to body regions, then the adaptability improves, but the structural stability and signal quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to conform to body regionsVSAvoidsignal quality and structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil portions incorporate flexible protective layers that provide structural support while maintaining flexibility. These protective layers serve as substrates for disposing the flexible coil units and provide mechanical stability without preventing the coil from conforming to curved body surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The coil portions are specifically designed with curved and three-dimensional structures that match the anatomical shapes of target body regions. The flexible coil units are arranged on flexible protective layers to form curved configurations that conform to neck, elbow, shoulder, and other complex body geometries while maintaining proper coil geometry for signal reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid components are used in the coil, then the structural stability is maintained, but the coil cannot bend in multiple directions to match complex scanning regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to bend in multiple directions

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coil portions are designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing them to be configured and bent in multiple directions to match complex scanning regions. The flexible coil units and protective layers can be shaped and positioned to conform to various body geometries while maintaining structural integrity during the scanning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design allows the coil to effectively cover and image complex body regions, improving signal-to-noise ratio and imaging quality by conforming closely to human tissue and reducing eddy currents.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more flexible coil units are disposed on the one or more flexible protective layers and used to receive a magnetic resonance (MR) signal of an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12601799B2Magnetic resonance devices and radiofrequency coils thereof

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a magnetic resonance device and a radiofrequency coil thereof. The radiofrequency coil includes at least one coil portion. Each of the at least one coil portion includes one or more flexible protective layers and one or more flexible coil units. The one or more flexible coil units are disposed on the one or more flexible protective layers and used to receive a magnetic resonance (MR) signal of an object. The at least one coil portion includes a first array and a second array, the first array being configured to be disposed about a first part of the object with a first curvature, the second array being configured to be disposed about a second part of the object with a second curvature, or form a hyperbolic surface structure.