MRI Coil Interface Inductive Coupling Against Contact Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI devices face issues with maintenance costs and reliability due to contaminants building up at the interface between the coil apparatus and the main body, leading to bad contact and potential device damage from insertion-connection type plugs and sockets.
Innovation Solution
A coil interface apparatus using inductive couplers in a plug and socket design for the MRI device, allowing for wireless transmission of power and magnetic resonance signals, reducing the need for physical connections and making the interface easier to clean and maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insertion-connection type plugs and sockets are used for connecting coil apparatus to main body, then electrical connection and signal transmission are achieved, but contaminants build up at the interface leading to bad contact and device damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion-connection plug and socket system with an inductive coupling system. The first inductive coupler on the coil apparatus and the second inductive coupler on the main body establish wireless electrical connection through electromagnetic induction, eliminating physical contact points where contaminants could accumulate and causing reliability issues.
2Power
If physical plug and socket connection is used, then power and signal transmission are established, but the interface becomes difficult to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the physical interface requiring maintenance by substituting it with an inductive coupling mechanism. Power and signals are transmitted wirelessly through electromagnetic induction between the first and second inductive couplers, removing the need to clean and maintain a physical connection interface.
3Ease of manufacture
If inductive couplers are used for wireless connection, then contamination-related issues are minimized and maintenance is easier, but efficient signal and power transfer must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the inductive coupling efficiency by carefully designing the parameters of the inductive couplers, including their geometric shapes, sizes, materials, and relative positioning. These parameter optimizations ensure efficient power and signal transfer through the wireless inductive connection while maintaining the contamination-free interface advantage.
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
The inductive couplers facilitate efficient signal and power transfer while minimizing contamination-related issues, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first inductive coupler, configured to send a power signal to the second inductive coupler by induction; and a second inductive coupler, configured to receive the sent power signal by induction
Data Source
AI summary
A coil interface apparatus may include: a plug, for connection to a coil apparatus for receiving a magnetic resonance signal via a test subject in the MRI device. The plug may include a first power coupler and at least one first signal coupler. The apparatus may include a socket, for connection to a main body of the MRI device. The socket may include a second power coupler and at least one second signal coupler. The at least one first signal coupler may send a magnetic resonance signal received from the coil apparatus to the at least one second signal coupler by induction. The at least one second signal coupler may receive the sent magnetic resonance signal by induction. The second power coupler may send a power signal to the first power coupler by induction, and the first power coupler may receive the sent power signal.