MRI Coil Unit Wireless Digitization for High Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatuses face challenges with signal transmission between coil units and the main unit due to increased connecting cables, leading to signal loss and decreased dynamic range, particularly affecting the reception of weak magnetic resonance signals.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus that includes a sampling clock generating unit in the main unit, a sampling clock transmitting unit, a sampling clock receiving unit in the coil unit, a receiving coil, a digitization unit, a resonance signal transmitting unit, and a reconstruction unit, enabling wireless transmission of digitized magnetic resonance signals synchronized with a sampling clock signal to maintain high transmission quality without cable constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless signal transmission is implemented between coil units and main unit, then the number of connecting cables is reduced, but signal loss due to space propagation increases and dynamic range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal transmission from analog to digital domain. By performing A/D conversion in the coil unit before wireless transmission, the system eliminates analog signal degradation and maintains signal integrity over wireless channels, thereby reducing effective signal loss while keeping cable connections minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless electromagnetic transmission system. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints of cable management while maintaining signal transmission capability, and combined with digital modulation techniques, overcomes the signal loss issue through efficient spectral utilization and error correction.
2Reliability
If radio output is increased to improve wireless transmission quality, then transmission quality improves, but reception performance for weak magnetic resonance signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing functions between the coil unit and main unit. The coil unit performs local A/D conversion and digital signal processing, while the main unit performs reconstruction. This segmentation allows independent optimization of transmission parameters without affecting the sensitive magnetic resonance signal reception, as the digitization occurs before wireless transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital modulation as an intermediary between the magnetic resonance signal and wireless transmission. By converting the baseband digital signal to a modulated carrier wave for transmission, and then demodulating it at the receiver, the system achieves efficient wireless transmission with minimal interference to the reception of weak magnetic resonance signals.
3Productivity
If multiple coil units are connected to increase channel capacity, then collection system becomes multichannel, but the number of connecting cables inconveniently increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with wireless electromagnetic communication. Each coil unit transmits its signal wirelessly to the main unit, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining multichannel capability. This substitution directly addresses the contradiction by enabling high channel capacity without proportional increase in cable complexity.
4Ease of operation
If analog radio system is used for wireless transmission, then wireless signal transmission is enabled, but dynamic range decreases due to signal loss attributed to space propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the signal domain parameter from analog to digital. By performing A/D conversion before wireless transmission, the system eliminates the continuous amplitude variations that are susceptible to propagation losses. Digital signals maintain their integrity through wireless channels using robust modulation and error correction techniques, preserving dynamic range while enabling wireless operation.
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
This solution allows for satisfactory wireless transmission of magnetic resonance signals while constraining radio output to suppress interference, maintaining high reception performance and dynamic range, thus improving the transmission quality of magnetic resonance signals.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving coil which is provided in the coil unit and which outputs an electrical magnetic resonance signal in response to a magnetic resonance signal emitted from a subject as electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus which includes a main unit and a coil unit, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus including a sampling clock generating unit which generates a sampling clock signal, a sampling clock transmitting unit wirelessly transmits the sampling clock signal, a sampling clock receiving unit which receives the transmitted sampling clock signal, a receiving coil which outputs an electrical magnetic resonance signal in response to a magnetic resonance signal emitted from a subject as electromagnetic radiation, a digitization unit which digitizes, synchronously with the received sampling clock signal, the outputted magnetic resonance signal, a resonance signal transmitting unit which wirelessly transmits the digitized magnetic resonance signal, a resonance signal receiving unit which receives the transmitted magnetic resonance signal, and a reconstruction unit which processes, synchronously with the generated sampling clock signal, the received magnetic resonance signal and thereby reconstructs an image of the subject.