Folded MRI Safe Coil Assembly with Fuse Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans pose a risk to inductive and ferromagnetic electrical components, such as smart implants and external devices, due to the induction of high voltages and currents, which can cause damage.
Innovation Solution
An electrical coil assembly with a fuse element and actuator that moves in response to induced voltages or magnetic fields, either through a voltage actuator or magnetic actuator, to either engage or disengage with the electrical coil, creating a short circuit or open circuit to prevent current flow, thereby protecting the device from MRI-induced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electrical coil is used in an implantable device, then the device can perform wireless communication and power transmission, but the coil can induce high voltages and currents during MRI scans causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse element is pre-positioned near the electrical coil but kept disconnected during normal operation. Before an MRI scan occurs, the system prepares by having the fuse element ready to be connected to ground, so that when the scan begins and voltage induction occurs, the protective path is already in place to prevent damage
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse element acts as an intermediary protective component between the electrical coil and the harmful induced voltages. It provides a controlled path for current diversion, mediating the interaction between the coil and MRI-induced electromagnetic fields to prevent damage to the implantable device
2Reliability
If a fuse element is added to protect the electrical coil, then MRI safety is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is extracted as a separate, dedicated fuse element rather than being integrated into the main coil structure. This allows the fuse to be added as a distinct component with a specific protective role, making the overall system more reliable without significantly complicating the primary electrical coil functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse element is designed as a simple, sacrificial component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. It serves as a low-cost protective measure that absorbs the complexity of MRI safety requirements without requiring complex active control systems or expensive protective mechanisms
3Productivity
If the fuse element remains disconnected during normal operation, then the electrical coil functions properly, but the protection mechanism is not active when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse element's connection state is made dynamic rather than static. It transitions from a disconnected state during normal operation (allowing full coil functionality) to a connected state when MRI conditions are detected (activating protection). This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the protective mechanism's activity based on operational context
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates detection of MRI-specific magnetic field signatures that trigger the fuse element connection. When the external device detects the characteristic magnetic field of an MRI scanner, it activates the fuse element to ground, creating a feedback loop that automatically responds to environmental conditions and activates protection only when necessary
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 electrical coil assembly effectively prevents the induction of high voltages or currents during MRI scans, ensuring the safety of both implanted and external devices by dynamically controlling the electrical path within the coil.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to generate pictures of a patient's anatomy, among other uses. To generate the pictures, MRI scanners often emit strong magnetic fields, radio waves, and field gradients. Such emissions can cause damage to inductive and ferromagnetic electrical components
Implementation Method 2
An electrical coil assembly with a fuse element and actuator that moves in response to induced voltages or magnetic fields, either through a voltage actuator or magnetic actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
Implants or sensors often include and rely on inductive and ferromagnetic electrical components to measure and communicate data outside of the body to an external device, creating a safety concern when a patient with these implants or sensors must undergo an MRI scan. Further, various external devices that include inductive and ferromagnetic electrical components are exposed to potentially damaging MRI scans. An electrical coil assembly can include an electrical coil that includes a substrate and an electrical conductor supported by a first face of the substrate. In an example, the electrical coil assembly further includes a fuse element that is configured to move from a disengaged position in which the electrical fuse conductor is out of contact with the electrical conductor to an engaged position in which the electrical fuse conductor contacts the electrical conductor so as to define a short circuit.