MRI RF Coil Element Positioning by Effective Range Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of local RF coils in magnetic resonance examinations only provide information about the center of the coil in the z-direction, lacking orientation and extent in the y- and x-directions, which is crucial for selecting the appropriate coil elements for specific examination regions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving capturing magnetic resonance data using both a fixed RF antenna and local RF coil elements, analyzing the data to determine the effective range of each coil element, including its position and orientation in all three spatial directions, using similarity measures to differentiate between coil data and patient anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only the center of the local RF coil is determined in the z-direction, then the position determination is simple, but information about orientation and extent in the y-direction and x-direction is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends position determination from one dimension (z-direction only) to three dimensions (x, y, z directions) by analyzing magnetic resonance data from multiple spatial directions. This allows comprehensive determination of coil element positions, orientations, and effective ranges in all three spatial dimensions, resolving the information loss while maintaining automated analysis.
2Measurement precision
If manual positioning and selection of coil elements is performed, then position accuracy can be ensured, but examination time increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated self-positioning and self-selection of coil elements by analyzing magnetic resonance data to determine effective ranges and positions of coil elements automatically. This eliminates the need for manual positioning while maintaining accuracy, thereby reducing examination time and increasing automation without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic resonance data to provide feedback on coil element positions and effective ranges, enabling automated adjustment and selection of optimal coil elements. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically achieve accurate positioning and coil element selection, reducing reliance on manual intervention and minimizing examination time.
3Reliability
If all local RF coils and coil elements are activated for every measurement, then complete data coverage is achieved, but examination efficiency decreases due to unnecessary data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines effective ranges for individual coil elements based on their specific positions and orientations relative to the region of interest. Only coil elements within the effective range of the target region are activated for data acquisition, ensuring complete data coverage for the region of interest while excluding unnecessary coil elements, thereby improving examination efficiency without compromising data quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the coil array into individual coil elements with determined effective ranges, allowing selective activation of only those elements relevant to the specific examination region. This segmentation enables efficient data acquisition by processing only necessary coil element data, improving productivity while maintaining complete coverage of the region of interest.
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
Enables precise and automatic selection of coil elements for magnetic resonance examinations, ensuring those closest to the region of interest are activated, improving examination efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic resonance sequence is output by means of an RF antenna, which is fixedly arranged inside a scanner unit of the magnetic resonance apparatus; and first magnetic resonance data is captured by means of the RF antenna, and second magnetic resonance data is captured by means of the at least one coil element of the local RF coil
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is provided for determining a position of a coil element of a radiofrequency coil (RF) for placement into a patient placement region of a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus. A magnetic resonance sequence is output via a radiofrequency (RF) antenna, which is arranged inside a scanner unit of the MR apparatus, first MR data is captured via the RF antenna, and second MR data is captured via the coil element. First MR images are ascertained from the first MR data, and second MR images are ascertained from the first MR data and the second MR data. Moreover, a similarity measure is determined from the first MR images and the second MR images, and an effective range of the coil element is determined from the first MR images and the second MR images. The effective range comprises a position of the coil element of the RF coil.