Modular Cooled NMR Probe Head with Detachable Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance (MR) probe heads are costly and difficult to handle due to their fixed configuration of receiver coils and preamplifiers, requiring a complete system change for different applications, which leads to high costs and inefficient use of expensive magnet systems.
Innovation Solution
The MR probe head features a detachable coupling system with separate RF and cooling lines, allowing the preamplifier to be reused with different detecting devices, and includes a flexible connecting line design that minimizes space and facilitates quick installation and removal, enabling universal use and easy expansion for various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MR probe head uses a fixed configuration with integrated preamplifier and detecting device, then the system provides stable and reliable performance, but it requires complete system change for different applications leading to high costs and inefficient magnet system usage
Solution Approach 1:
The MR probe head is divided into separate modular components: the detecting device (receiver coil) and the preamplifier housing can be detached from each other. The detecting device can be exchanged while the preamplifier remains in the magnet system, enabling different applications without complete system changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The preamplifier housing is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple different detecting devices. The standardized coupling interface allows various receiver coils to be connected to the same preamplifier, making the system adaptable to different MRI applications.
2Ease of operation
If the MR probe head uses a rigid connecting means for preamplifier and detecting device, then the system provides stable electrical connection, but it increases weight and makes installation/removal difficult requiring two persons
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a detachable dynamic connection. The coupling mechanism allows the detecting device to be easily attached and detached from the preamplifier housing, making installation and removal simple operations that can be performed by one person.
3Productivity
If the MR probe head uses a detachable coupling system with separate RF and cooling lines, then the system enables quick exchange of detecting devices, but it increases the complexity of the connecting means
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the coupling mechanism: electrical connection (RF lines), thermal connection (cooling lines), and mechanical positioning are all integrated into a single detachable coupling interface. This allows quick exchange of detecting devices while maintaining all necessary connections through one standardized interface.
4Measurement precision
If the RF line is designed with optimized geometry to minimize RF line loss, then the signal quality is improved, but it increases heat input into the cold receiver coil from the warmer preamplifier
Solution Approach 1:
The RF line is designed with varying thermal properties along its length. The geometry and material properties are optimized locally: closer to the cold receiver coil, the RF line has lower thermal conductivity to minimize heat input, while maintaining adequate electrical performance for signal transmission.
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 design reduces the overall cost of components, simplifies handling, and minimizes unproductive magnet system downtime by allowing quick exchange of detecting devices without removing the preamplifier, thus optimizing the use of expensive magnet systems for multiple applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one antenna system which is cryogenically cooled by a cooling device
Implementation Method 2
The temperature usually changes along the RF line 52 from 20 K to 77 K, wherein the geometry (in particular the cross-section of the cables of the RF line 52) is thereby selected such that an optimum is achieved between minimizing the RF line loss and minimizing the heat input into the cold receiver coil 5
Implementation Method 3
a thermally insulating connecting means for connecting the detecting device to the preamplifier housing
Implementation Method 4
at least one radio frequency (RF) line for transmitting the electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance (MR) probe head comprises a detecting device (3) with at least one antenna system which is cryogenically cooled by a cooling device, a cooled preamplifier (16) in a preamplifier housing (15a, 15b) which is spatially separated from the detecting device (3), and a thermally insulating connecting means via which the detecting device (3) and the preamplifier housing (15a, 15b) are connected, wherein the connecting means (15c) comprises at least one cooling line (9a, 9b, 53a, 53b) for supplying and/or returning a cooling fluid, and at least one RF line (10, 52) for transmitting electric signals. The connecting means (15c), including its RF and cooling lines (10, 52, 9a, 9b, 53a, 53b), can be separated from the preamplifier housing (15a, 15b) by a coupling. The MR probe head is an open system which can be used in a universal fashion through use of different measuring inserts. The system can be expanded for further measuring configurations at little cost and can be easily handled in a time-saving fashion with an optional arrangement having a flexible connecting line.