Segmented MR Local Coil Enclosure for Hygienic Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MR local coils have fixed enclosures that complicate maintenance and repair, making it difficult to access and protect the coil elements and electronic components, which affects hygiene and patient safety.

Innovation Solution

A detachable enclosure with two shells and cut-outs that allow for easy assembly and disassembly, using connecting units such as zip fastening, hook-and-loop fastening, or bayonet fastening to securely attach and detach the enclosure, providing better protection and ease of cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the enclosure is fixed to the MR local coil, then the coil elements and electronic components are protected, but maintenance and repair work becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of coil elements and electronic componentsVSAvoidmaintenance and repair work

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into a first enclosure shell and a second enclosure shell that can be separated from each other. The first shell remains attached to the MR local coil providing protection, while the second shell can be detached for maintenance access. This segmentation allows the protective function to be maintained while enabling easy maintenance by separating the enclosure into functional parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the enclosure is detachable, then maintenance and repair work becomes easier, but the protection of coil elements and electronic components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance and repair workVSAvoidprotection of coil elements and electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the enclosure covers the entire surface, then coil elements and electronic components are well protected, but hygiene and patient safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of coil elements and electronic componentsVSAvoidhygiene and patient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into separable shells with openings that can be closed by connecting units. This allows selective coverage - protecting electronic components when closed, while allowing hygiene-critical areas to be accessed and cleaned by opening the connecting units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting units enable the enclosure to dynamically change its state between closed (protective) and open (hygienic) configurations. The enclosure adapts its degree of coverage based on operational needs, providing protection during use and allowing access for cleaning and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the enclosure is made with connecting units, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into modular shells connected by connecting units. While this adds structural elements, the connecting units use simple, standardized fastening mechanisms that reduce operational complexity despite increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11067650B2Enclosure for an MR local coil

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

An enclosure for a magnetic resonance (MR) local coil and an MR local coil including the enclosure are provided. The enclosure has a first enclosure shell and a second enclosure shell. The first enclosure shell is arranged opposite the second enclosure shell. The enclosure is configured such that an MR local coil is positionable between the first enclosure shell and the second enclosure shell.