Magnetic Resonance Head Coil with Spherical Cap and Overlapping Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head coils for magnetic resonance tomography lack optimal adaptation to the human head anatomy and suffer from suboptimal electrical properties, particularly in achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
A head coil design featuring a support body with a spherical cap end segment housing a butterfly antenna surrounded by overlapping loop antennas, composed of multiple shells for inductive decoupling and improved anatomical fit, along with eye openings and a nose cutout for patient comfort and stimulus exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna elements are positioned close to the head to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then the fit to head anatomy is improved, but the complexity of the coil structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head coil is divided into multiple shells (upper and lower shells) with antenna elements distributed across different segments. This segmentation allows the antenna elements to be positioned close to the head surface while maintaining a manageable structure through modular organization of the coil components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional array of antenna elements to a three-dimensional arrangement where elements are distributed across multiple shells and layers. This dimensional expansion allows better adaptation to the curved head anatomy while maintaining acceptable structural complexity through spatial distribution.
2Measurement precision
If multiple loop antennas are arranged to surround the butterfly antenna, then spatial resolution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple loop antennas are combined in an overlapping arrangement around the central butterfly antenna, creating a integrated antenna assembly. This merging approach improves spatial resolution through the collective contribution of multiple elements while reducing overall complexity compared to having separate, independent antenna systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop antennas are arranged in a nested configuration where they overlap and surround the central butterfly antenna, similar to nested dolls. This nesting allows multiple antenna elements to be compactly arranged to achieve high spatial resolution without proportionally increasing the overall device complexity.
3Shape
If the support body is designed as multiple shells, then anatomical fit is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is segmented into multiple shells that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation improves the anatomical fit by allowing each shell to be shaped to match specific regions of the head, while the modular nature of separate manufacturing actually simplifies production compared to creating a single complex piece.
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 design enhances spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio by closely positioning antenna elements to the head, achieving a better fit and higher image quality.
Implementation Method 1
head coil provided as a radio-frequency antenna for a magnetic resonance apparatus
Implementation Method 2
an inductive geometric decoupling can be achieved in that an antenna element arranged on the upper shell overlaps with an antenna element arranged on the lower shell
Data Source
AI summary
A head coil for a magnetic resonance apparatus has a supporting body that carries a number of antenna elements. The supporting body has an end section that is shaped as a spherical cap. A butterfly antenna is mounted at the end section, and is annularly surrounded by at least one group antenna that overlaps the butterfly antenna.