MR Receiver Coil Array With Sensor Nodes for Time-Aligned ECG Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ECG measurements during MR scans are complicated, require separate steps, and result in distorted signals due to EMI and vibrations, with no diagnostic quality on high-field MRI systems, and lack integration with the MRI system for robust and efficient data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance receiver coil array with integrated sensor nodes, including a digital amplifier and sensor signal acquisition circuit, allows for cable-free or short-cable data acquisition, time-alignment of sensory data with RF data, and merging of diverse sensor data streams for improved MR image quality and system maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of receiver coils are used to improve spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, then imaging quality is improved, but the complexity of the coil array increases and susceptibility to magnetic field inhomogeneities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver coil array is divided into multiple independent sensor nodes, each with its own electronics and signal processing capabilities. Each sensor node contains a subset of receiver coils and operates semi-independently, allowing the overall system to achieve high spatial resolution while managing complexity through modular architecture. The sensor nodes can be independently positioned and adjusted to optimize their respective measurement zones.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of receiver coils are used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then imaging quality is improved, but susceptibility to magnetic field inhomogeneities increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node is designed to measure and characterize magnetic field properties locally in its specific measurement volume. The sensor nodes have different sensitivities and measurement characteristics optimized for their local environments. This local measurement approach allows the system to achieve high signal-to-noise ratio in each local region while compensating for magnetic field inhomogeneities that vary across different spatial locations through subsequent data processing and combination.
3Ease of operation
If the coil array is made modular for easier adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil array is segmented into multiple standardized sensor nodes that can be independently assembled, positioned, and adjusted. Each sensor node is a self-contained module with integrated electronics and coil elements. This segmentation enables flexible configuration and easy repositioning of individual nodes to optimize the array geometry for different imaging scenarios, while the standardization of modules keeps the overall system manageable despite the increased number of components.
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
Enables high-quality, robust, and cost-effective ECG and other sensor data acquisition within the MRI system, eliminating design and safety concerns, and facilitating time-aligned data processing for optimal MR image triggering and diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor node includes a plurality of magnetic field sensors arranged to measure magnetic field properties in a measurement volume
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic resonance imaging system includes an object, a magnet to provide a main magnetic field through the object, and a radio frequency transmitter coil to transmit radio frequency pulses into the object to perturb nuclei in the object
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance (MR) receiver coil arrays (1), and in particular to a magnetic receiver coil array (1) with an additional sensor node (3). The sensor node (3) comprises a sensor (23) for gathering measurement data and a sensor signal acquisition circuit (25), wherein the sensor signal acquisition circuit (25) is configured to digitize the gathered measurement data. The sensor signal acquisition circuit (25) is connected to the digital amplifier signal acquisition circuit (16) via a first digital interface (27). The sensor signal acquisition circuit (25) is configured to link the digitized measurement data from the sensor signal acquisition circuit (25) to the digital amplifier (4) via the first digital interface (27), wherein the digital amplifier (4) is configured to combine the digitized measurement data from the sensor signal acquisition circuit (25) and the digital amplified MR signal. The MR receiver coil array (1) comprising a merger circuit (6), wherein the merger circuit (6) is configured to receive the combined digital MR signal and the digitized measurement data from the digital amplifier (4) by a second digital interface (28) and to output the combined data to a back-end of the MR imaging system. Based on the additional data thus obtained by means of the sensors (23), MR imaging can be improved. The invention relates also to a MR imaging device and a computer program product.