MRI Coil DSP Equalization for Flat Frequency Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI coils face challenges in achieving a flat spectral response due to hardware design insufficiencies and environmental distortions, particularly when coupled with imaging subjects, requiring fast and non-intrusive calibration that does not impact the MRI workflow.
Innovation Solution
Implementing on-board equalization filters in MRI coils using DSP electronics and calibration antennas to adjust the equalization based on processed reference RF signals, allowing for fast and efficient equalization of the MR channel response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional hardware design is used for MRI coils, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spectral response is not flat due to hardware design insufficiencies and environmental distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional hardware-based equalization mechanisms with digital signal processing (DSP) equalization. Instead of using complex hardware circuits to achieve flat spectral response, the system uses software-based equalization filters that can be dynamically adjusted through DSP processing, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision while keeping hardware simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic parameter adjustment through equalization filters that can be modified based on environmental conditions and subject characteristics. The equalization parameters are changed in real-time to compensate for distortions, allowing the system to maintain flat spectral response without requiring complex fixed hardware designs.
2Reliability
If calibration is performed to achieve flat frequency response, then imaging performance is improved, but the MRI workflow is disrupted due to additional calibration time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs equalization calibration before the actual MRI imaging workflow begins. By conducting calibration in advance and storing the equalization parameters, the system ensures that when imaging starts, the coil is already optimized for flat frequency response, eliminating the need for interruptions during the imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses reference signals that can be automatically generated and processed by the coil itself. The equalization process is self-contained within the coil's signal processing chain, allowing the coil to calibrate itself without requiring external intervention or complex calibration equipment that would disrupt the workflow.
3Manufacturing precision
If equalization filters are added to the signal processing chain, then frequency response is flattened, but the device complexity and signal processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the equalization filter into the existing signal processing chain of the MRI coil, making the same processing hardware serve multiple functions. The equalization filter shares the same computational resources and signal processing path as the normal imaging operations, thereby achieving frequency response flatness without adding separate dedicated equalization hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements equalization through digital signal processing rather than analog hardware equalization. By using DSP algorithms that can be executed on existing processors, the system avoids adding complex analog equalization circuits, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving precise frequency response control.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A magnetic resonance (MR) system includes an MR receive channel (20) including: an MR coil element (22) configured to receive MR signals in an MR frequency band; an electronic signal processing chain (24) configured to process the MR signals received by the MR coil element to produce processed MR signals, wherein the electronic signal processing chain includes an equalization filter (26); and a signal injector (8, 16, 28, 38, 38D) configured to input a reference radio frequency (RF) signal in the MR frequency band to the signal processing chain, wherein the signal processing chain processes the reference RF signal to generate a processed reference RF signal. Equalizer electronics (30) are configured to adjust the equalization filter based at least on the processed reference RF signal such that the MR receive channel has a flat frequency response over the MR frequency band.