Inductor Coil Eye Artifact Detection for MRI Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI safety screening methods expose patients to harmful X-rays to detect metal artifacts, particularly in the eyes, which can lead to tissue damage or fatal consequences due to the magnetic forces exerted by MRI equipment on conductive and magnetic objects.
Innovation Solution
A device with inductor coils and an inductance meter is used to detect metal artifacts in the eyes by measuring inductance changes, avoiding X-ray exposure, and utilizing a magnetically permeable Faraday shield to accurately measure inductance while blocking electrical fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-rays are used to detect metal artifacts in the eyes, then detection capability is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to harmful radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray detection system with an inductance-based detection system using inductor coils. This substitution eliminates harmful radiation while maintaining detection capability through electromagnetic induction principles, where metal artifacts alter the inductance of nearby coils, providing a safe alternative for detecting ferrous and non-ferrous metal objects in the eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from X-ray absorption to inductance variation. By measuring changes in inductance, quality factor, or resonant frequency of the inductor coils, the system detects metal artifacts without using ionizing radiation, thus resolving the contradiction between detection effectiveness and patient safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inductor coils are used to detect metal artifacts, then patient safety is improved by avoiding X-rays, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to electrical field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Faraday shield as an intermediary element between the inductor coils and the electrical fields generated during MRI scanning. This conductive shield blocks external electrical field interference from reaching the coils, while allowing the coils to detect changes in their own inductance caused by nearby metal artifacts, thus maintaining measurement precision in the MRI environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and isolates the detection function from the MRI scanning process by using separate inductor coils that are not part of the main MRI coil system. This separation allows independent optimization of the detection system and enables the use of Faraday shields to protect against MRI-generated electrical fields while maintaining sensitivity to metal artifact detection.
3Reliability
If traditional MRI safety screening is performed, then comprehensive body screening is achieved, but eye-specific metal artifact detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MRI safety screening process into two distinct components: (1) traditional whole-body screening for large metal objects, and (2) a specialized eye-specific screening using inductor coils positioned near the eyes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose, with the inductor coils providing high sensitivity for detecting small metal artifacts in the eye region that might be missed by general body screening.
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
This method effectively detects metal artifacts in the eyes without X-ray exposure, ensuring patient safety by preventing MRI-induced tissue damage and providing a cost-effective, non-invasive screening process.
Implementation Method 1
At least one inductor coil is disposed on or in the head mount and positioned to inductively couple with at least one eye of the patient's head received into the head mount
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a magnetically permeable Faraday shield to block electrical fields while not conducting current loops and hence not blocking magnetic fields to allow inductance of the eyes to be accurately measured
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10) configured to detect the presence of metal artifacts in a patient's eye includes a head mount (14) configured to receive at least a portion of the patient's head. At least one inductor coil (12) is disposed on or in the head mount and positioned to inductively couple with at least one eye of the patient's head received into the head mount. An inductance meter (18) is operably connected to the at least one inductor coil to measure an inductance as a change of frequency of the at least one inductor coil. A processor (22) is programmed to: determine whether the inductance is greater than an inductance threshold value; and generate an indication of at least one metal artifact when the inductance is greater than the inductance threshold value. A display component (24) is configured to display the indication.