Integrated RF Receiving Coil for MRI Patient Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI systems require laborious tasks to position and connect RF receiving coils to the patient table, and heavy coils like PV coils are difficult to move, with exposed cables at risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
The RF receiving coil is integrated with the patient table, allowing it to be stored within and easily extracted for use, with a cable provided internally to minimize damage and facilitate signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the RF receiving coil is stored separately and connected during MRI, then the coil can be used for imaging, but laborious positioning and connection tasks are required
Solution Approach 1:
The RF receiving coil is integrated with the patient table, merging two previously separate components (coil and table) into a unified system. The coil is stored within the table's interior space and can be easily extracted to the patient's body, eliminating the need for separate positioning and connection operations.
2Reliability
If heavy PV coils are used, then comprehensive signal reception is achieved, but the coils become difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the heavy PV coil with the patient table structure, the table's inherent support system bears the coil's weight, making the heavy coil as easy to handle as a lightweight one. The coil remains stored within the table and can be extracted when needed without manual handling difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows the system to serve itself - the table automatically supports and positions the coil, eliminating the need for manual positioning efforts. The coil extraction and positioning is simplified through the integrated mechanism.
3Reliability
If cables are exposed during coil connection, then signal transmission is enabled, but the cables are at risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within the patient table's interior space, similar to how the coil is stored. This protective nesting shields the cable from external damage while allowing it to transmit signals between the integrated coil and the imaging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable pathway is merged with the table structure, integrating the signal transmission route into the table's body. This eliminates exposed cable sections that would be vulnerable to damage during coil positioning and patient movement.
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 integration simplifies the placement of RF coils during MRI procedures, reduces labor, and protects cables from damage, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of magnetic resonance signal reception.
Implementation Method 1
an RF receiving coil is used to receive energy emitted from the atomic nuclei
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an RF receiving coil, which is retained in an interior receiving space of a patient table and is extractable from the patient table, and an MRI apparatus including the same. The MRI apparatus includes a patient table having an interior space, and at least one Radio Frequency (RF) receiving coil integrated with the patient table and retained in the space, the RF receiving coil being movable outward of the patient table.