Inductive Coupling for MRI Local Coil Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance systems require manual activation and deactivation of local coils, leading to inefficiencies and reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when imaging different body regions, especially for thin patients or areas like the head and legs, due to the need for multiple coils and complex cabling.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance system with automatic coupling and decoupling of local coils using base body and patient bed coupling elements, allowing seamless transition between coils as the patient bed moves, minimizing the need for pre-amplifiers and optimizing SNR by using inductive or capacitive coupling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual activation and deactivation of local coils is used, then the system can manage with relatively low number of reception channels, but the operation efficiency is reduced and SNR is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the patient bed position and activates/deactivates local coils without manual intervention. The control unit monitors the bed's movement and autonomously manages coil activation states, eliminating the need for operator actions while maintaining optimal SNR and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the patient bed position detection to automatically control local coil activation. The control unit receives position information and adjusts coil activation states accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both operation efficiency and SNR without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple local coils are arranged along the travel direction, then the entire body can be imaged, but the cabling complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal transmission function from physical cables by using inductive coupling between transmitter coils and receiver coils. This eliminates the need for complex cable harnesses and connectors while maintaining the ability to transmit signals from multiple local coils arranged along the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic field-based inductive coupling system. Transmitter coils generate magnetic fields that induce signals in receiver coils, substituting physical cable connections with wireless electromagnetic transmission and reducing cabling complexity.
3Reliability
If local coils are placed close to the examination subject, then good SNR is achieved, but the system requires more coils and complex arrangement for whole body imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pairs of coils (transmitter and receiver) that can serve multiple functions. Each pair can be positioned close to different body regions, and the same coil design can be used throughout, reducing the variety of components needed while maintaining good SNR for whole-body imaging.
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 efficient and automatic signal acquisition across the entire body with reduced cabling complexity and minimal SNR degradation, allowing for high spatial resolution and improved imaging quality without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a base body coupling element that is connected with an evaluation device for evaluation of magnetic resonance signals is arranged at the base body at a predetermined base body location, a patient bed coupling element that is connected with a local coil for acquisition of a magnetic resonance signal is arranged at a predetermined patient bed location at the patient bed, and the base body coupling element and the patient bed coupling element are arranged and fashioned such that the magnetic resonance signal acquired by the local coil can be fed via the patient bed coupling element and the first base body coupling element to the evaluation device
Implementation Method 2
allowing for high spatial resolution and improved imaging quality without manual intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance system has a base body embodying a magnet system that generates magnetic fields in an excitation region, a patient bed that is movable, with a patient thereon through the base body, a local coil that is operable to detect magnetic resonance signals from the patient, and an evaluation device that evaluates the magnetic resonance signals detected by the local coil. A base body coupling element, at a predetermined base body location, is connected to the evaluation device and inductively or capacitively couples with a patient bed coupling element, located at a predetermined patient bed location, that is connected to the local coil. The magnetic resonance signals are fed from the local coil to the evaluation device via the patient bed coupling element and the base body coupling element.