MRI Coil Optical Link Positioning for Cable-Free Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wireless optical communication systems for MRI receive coil units face challenges in adapting to different types and numbers of RF coil elements, leading to difficulties in using optical receivers/transmitters in common for various coil components, and the physical communication cables hinder workflow and increase device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A wireless optical communication system with a first optical communication device connected to the receive coil unit, an arm mechanism on the examination room ceiling, and a second optical communication device at the arm distal end, controlled by a processor to perform link-up checks and move the second device to optimal positions for effective communication, regardless of the type of receive coil unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple transmitter/receiver modules are attached to each RF coil element for optical communication, then optical communication capability is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to adapt to different types and numbers of RF coil elements
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is equipped with a plurality of optical receivers/transmitters that can serve multiple RF coil types through dynamic configuration. The system can adaptively allocate optical communication resources to different receive coil units (head coils, spine coils, abdominal coils, etc.) with varying numbers of RF coil elements, making the optical communication system universal across different MRI applications
2Reliability
If physical communication cables are used to connect receive coil units, then stable signal transmission is achieved, but the cables hinder operator workflow and increase device size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based communication system with an optical wireless communication system. Optical signals are transmitted between the scanner and receive coil units without physical cables, eliminating the mechanical constraints that hindered operator workflow while maintaining signal transmission stability through the optical communication channel
3Reliability
If the number of channels in receive coil is increased, then signal reception capability is improved, but the number of communication cables increases leading to larger device size and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical wireless communication system replaces the cable-based mechanical connection system. This substitution allows the system to handle increased numbers of channels and RF coil elements without proportionally increasing physical cable complexity, as the optical communication architecture can efficiently manage multiple channels through the wireless optical medium
Solution Approach 2:
The optical communication system provides a universal interface that can accommodate receive coil units with varying numbers of channels. The scanner's optical receivers/transmitters can dynamically configure communication resources to match the specific channel requirements of different coil types, avoiding the need for dedicated cable assemblies for each channel configuration
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 good optical communication during MRI scanning by selecting the appropriate position for the second optical communication device based on link-up check information, allowing seamless communication with the receive coil unit, reducing the need for physical cables and minimizing device size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical communication device that is connected to a receive coil unit attached to a subject; a second optical communication device that is disposed at the arm distal end and is capable of performing wireless optical communication with the first optical communication device
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless optical communication system includes: a first optical communication device of an optical wireless module that is connected to a receive coil unit attached to a subject; and an arm mechanism that is provided on a ceiling of an examination room and capable of moving a second optical communication device disposed at an arm distal end to a front position or a rear position of a bore of a gantry. A processor is configured to: acquire link-up check information indicating which of the front and rear positions of the bore the second optical communication device is to be moved to during main scanning based on communication between the first and the second optical communication devices before the main scanning is started; and control the arm mechanism based on the link-up check information such that the second optical communication device is moved to one of the front and rear positions.