MRI Array Coil Insulative Coupler Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array coils for magnetic resonance imaging struggle to decouple multiple element coils effectively, leading to unwanted radio frequency current flow and lack of adaptability to varying patient physiques and image taking locations.
Innovation Solution
The array coil design incorporates electrically-insulative couplers and pivotable element coils that overlap to achieve decoupling and allow for expansion and contraction, ensuring that radio frequency currents do not cross between coils and accommodating different patient sizes through adjustable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple element coils are arrayed closely together to improve imaging coverage and adaptability, then the adaptability to various patient physiques is improved, but unwanted radio frequency current coupling between coils occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically-insulative coupler is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent element coils. This coupler physically connects the coils while electrically isolating them through its insulative properties, allowing the coils to be arrayed closely together for improved adaptability without causing harmful RF current coupling. The coupler mediates the spatial relationship while preventing electrical interference.
2Reliability
If element coils are made fixed in position to ensure stable decoupling, then the decoupling performance is improved, but the ability to accommodate different patient sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The array coil structure incorporates movable element coils that can dynamically adjust their positions and orientations. The coils are connected through electrically-insulative couplers that allow mechanical movement while maintaining electrical isolation. This dynamic configuration enables the coil array to adapt to different patient sizes and anatomical variations while preserving decoupling performance through the insulative coupling mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An array coil according to an embodiment includes a plurality of element coils, a first electrically-insulative coupler, and a second electrically-insulative coupler. Each of the plurality of element coils has a first fixation point and a second fixation point. The plurality of element coils are two-dimensionally arrayed in a first direction and a second direction while overlapping one another. The first electrically-insulative coupler is configured to couple together two or more of the first fixation points in the first direction. The second electrically-insulative coupler is configured to couple together two or more of the second fixation points in the first direction.