MRI RF Coil Port Compatibility Display for Misconnection Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, operators often mistakenly connect RF coils to incompatible ports, leading to delayed scanning and poor image quality due to the identical physical appearance of ports and connectors, which are not easily identifiable until scanning begins.
Innovation Solution
The MRI system automatically monitors and displays a graphical user interface (GUI) indicating the compatibility status of RF coil connections, providing visual feedback to operators on compatible and incompatible connections, and guiding them to correct ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ports are designed with identical physical appearance for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but error rate increases due to inability to distinguish compatible from incompatible ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to port status indicators to visually distinguish between different connection states. Compatible ports are indicated by one color (e.g., green), incompatible ports by another color (e.g., red), and unconnected ports by a third color (e.g., gray). This allows operators to quickly identify compatible ports without changing the physical structure of the ports themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a status indicator as an intermediary element between the port and the operator. This status indicator provides additional information about port compatibility without being part of the port's physical connector structure. The indicator acts as a mediator that translates technical compatibility information into visual cues that operators can easily interpret.
2Reliability
If operators manually check port compatibility, then connection accuracy improves, but time consumption increases due to manual verification process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of compatibility status through automatic detection of coil characteristics and port requirements. The status indicator automatically updates based on the detected connection state, eliminating the need for operators to manually verify compatibility. The system serves itself by automatically determining and displaying whether a port is compatible with the connected coil.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the status indicator continuously displays the compatibility state of port-coil connections. When a coil is connected, the system automatically detects the connection and updates the status indicator to show whether the connection is compatible or incompatible. This real-time feedback allows operators to immediately see the result of their connection actions without manual verification.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If visual indicators are added to ports, then connection compatibility becomes easier to detect, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators that copy or replicate the port structure itself rather than adding separate physical components. The status indicator is integrated into the port housing or connector, using color coding or lighting elements that are part of the port assembly rather than external add-on components. This approach provides visual information while minimizing additional hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a graphical user interface (GUI) for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In an example, a system includes a display device; one or more processors; and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to: determine a connection status for each of a plurality of ports, each port of the plurality of ports configured to couple a radiofrequency (RF) coil to an MRI apparatus; generate a GUI that includes a port status indicator for each port, each port status indicator having a visual appearance that is based on that port's connection status; and output the GUI for display on the display device.