Interchangeable MRI Coil Base with Sliding and Pivoting Adjustments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI systems require a large collection of coils for different body parts, leading to space inefficiency, high costs, and time-consuming setup due to the need for multiple coils with duplicate electronics and mechanical handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
An MRI coil base apparatus that allows for interchangeable and detachable coils, sharing common electronics and mechanical components, reducing the number of coils needed and simplifying the setup process by using a single base with multiple connectors and a sliding/pivoting mechanism for anatomical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large collection of coils is used to cover different body parts, then imaging versatility is improved, but storage space and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal coil base that can accommodate multiple different coil types through standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces. The base includes a common mounting structure, cable management system, and electrical connector that works with various coil configurations, allowing one base to serve multiple imaging purposes across different body parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple coil configurations into a single integrated base unit. By merging the common functional elements (mounting mechanism, cable routing, electrical connections) into a shared base structure, the system reduces the total number of separate components needed while maintaining the ability to image multiple body parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete coils with duplicate electronics are used, then imaging capability for different body parts is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coil system into two independent segments: a reusable base containing all electronic components (cables, connectors, mounting mechanisms) and interchangeable coil elements containing only the essential imaging components. This segmentation allows the complex electronic portion to be shared while the simple coil elements can be quickly swapped.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential imaging function from the complete coil assembly, isolating only the necessary coil elements (windings, basic structure) that need to be interchangeable. The extracted base unit retains all the complex electronics, cable management, and mounting features, allowing the system to maintain full functionality with reduced complexity in the interchangeable portions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heavy coils are used for different body parts, then imaging coverage is improved, but handling difficulty and operator effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heavy coil system into a stationary base (containing most of the mass from electronics and mounting structures) and lightweight interchangeable coil elements. The base remains fixed during operation, while only the light coil elements need to be handled and swapped, dramatically reducing operator physical effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary preparation by pre-attaching coil elements to the base in a ready-to-use configuration. The base is designed with pre-positioned mounting features and cable routing that accommodates different coil types without requiring complex assembly during the procedure, reducing handling complexity and operator effort.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete coils are stored and selected, then procedure-specific imaging is improved, but setup time and expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal base platform that can quickly accommodate different coil elements through standardized interfaces. The base includes universal mounting features, cable connections, and positioning mechanisms that work with various coil types, allowing rapid setup for different procedures without requiring specialized handling for each coil type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration by designing the base with pre-positioned mounting structures, pre-routed cables, and pre-configured electrical connections that are ready to accept different coil elements. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex assembly or reconfiguration during setup, reducing both time and expertise requirements.
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 solution reduces the overall cost and space requirements for MRI coils, streamlines the workflow by allowing quick coil changes and reduces operator effort, while maintaining image quality through shared and optimized electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involves the transmission and receipt of radio frequency (RF) energy. RF energy may be transmitted by a coil.
Implementation Method 2
Resulting magnetic resonance (MR) signals may also be received by a coil. Conventionally, MR coils have had a set of elements that included a copper trace arranged in a loop in which an electric current could be induced by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals produced by an object near the loop.
Data Source
AI summary
An example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil base apparatus for use with interchangeable attachable and detachable coil attachments is described. The coil base apparatus electrically and mechanically couples to different MRI coil attachments designed for imaging different body parts (e.g., ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, shoulders). The MRI coil base apparatus includes elements (e.g., channel, pre-amplifier, mixer, feed circuit, decoupling circuit) for controlling the coil attachment to transmit radio frequency (RF) energy that produces nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in an object exposed to the RF energy. The coil attachment includes elements that transmit the RF energy and a copper trace that receives resulting NMR signals. The coil base apparatus may include a slide apparatus for repositioning the coil attachment in one axis when the coil attachment is coupled to the coil base apparatus or a pivot apparatus for rotating the coil attachment when it is coupled to the coil base apparatus.