MRI Receiving Coil Clock Synchronization via Master Slave Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI systems with multiple built-in clock type receiving coils face challenges in synchronizing reference clocks, leading to potential degradation in transmission quality of MR signals.
Innovation Solution
The MRI apparatus selects a master receiving coil to generate and transmit a reference clock to slave receiving coils, ensuring synchronization of the reference clock across all coils, either wirelessly or through a non-contact connector, thereby maintaining high-quality signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple built-in clock type receiving coils are used to shorten the distance between sampling position and reference clock generation means, then transmission quality of reference clock is improved, but synchronization between reference clocks of respective receiving coils becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference clock generation function into a single master receiving coil that is shared by multiple slave receiving coils. Instead of each receiving coil having its own independent clock generation means, one master coil generates the reference clock that is then distributed to all slave coils, reducing the number of clock generation units while maintaining short distance transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The master receiving coil acts as an intermediary between the clock generation source and the slave receiving coils. It receives the reference clock signal and redistributes it to all slave coils, ensuring synchronized operation while maintaining the benefit of short transmission distance that built-in clock type coils provide.
2Device complexity
If reference clock is generated in signal processing system and transmitted to receiving coils, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission quality of reference clock deteriorates due to increased distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the reference clock generation function locally within the master receiving coil rather than centrally in the signal processing system. This allows each receiving coil (slave or master) to have access to a locally-generated or locally-distributed clock signal, maintaining high transmission quality while still using a shared master clock approach.
3Reliability
If multiple receiving coils are used to improve MR signal reception, then imaging quality is improved, but cable handling becomes complicated and transmission quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Receiving coils transmit MR signals wirelessly to the signal processing system, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and associated handling complexity while maintaining signal transmission quality.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes receiving coils each including an A/D converter configured to convert an MR signal received from an object into a digital signal by sampling the MR signal, a clock generation circuit configured to generate a reference clock of the sampling, and a radio transmission circuit configured to wirelessly transmit a digitized MR signal; and a main body configured to wirelessly receive the digitized MR signal and generate an image of the object by reconstructing the digitized MR signal, wherein one of the receiving coils selected as a reference receiving coil by the main body is configured to transmit the reference clock to each of other receiving coils by radio or by wire; and each of the other receiving coils is configured to synchronize the reference clock generated by the clock generation circuit with the reference clock transmitted from the reference receiving coil.