Integrally Formed MRI Local Coil Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI local coil designs are complex, costly, and difficult to assemble, which affects precision and repeatability, and are not cost-effective for widespread adoption in medical imaging.
Innovation Solution
An MRI local coil system with a plastic housing and integrally formed RF coil conductor and electronics, using techniques like laser direct structuring and two-shot molding, which reduces the number of parts and eliminates the need for manual tuning, allowing for a more precise and cost-effective assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-component local coil designs are used, then functional requirements are met, but assembly complexity increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductor and housing into a single integrated component. The conductor is formed as one piece with the plastic housing using techniques like laser direct structuring or two-shot molding, eliminating the need for separate conductor pieces and reducing assembly steps. This integration directly improves assembly precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing-conductor structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, defines the coil geometry, and serves as the electrical conductor. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying assembly while maintaining structural integrity and electrical performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used in local coil design, then functional requirements are satisfied, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the conductor and housing into a single molded part, the patent reduces the number of manufacturing steps and assembly operations. This integration lowers production costs through reduced material handling, fewer assembly operations, and simplified quality control, while also easing manufacturing by using standard molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor geometry is pre-formed during the housing manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring separate conductor fabrication and assembly steps. This preliminary action of forming the conductor as part of the molding process reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional assembly methods are used, then components can be assembled, but repeatability and precision are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of conductor and housing eliminates interface errors between separate components. Since there are no separate parts to assemble, there are no alignment tolerances or fastening variations to introduce imprecision. The single-piece construction ensures consistent geometry and positioning across production batches, improving manufacturing precision and repeatability.
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 solution enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, improves image quality, reduces assembly complexity, and lowers production costs by integrating the conductor with the plastic housing, enabling a more reliable and efficient MRI local coil system.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detects the faint nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals given off by protons in the presence of a strong magnetic field after excitation by a radio frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
The NMR signals are detected using antennae termed coils
Implementation Method 3
a plastic housing and an RF coil system. The RF coil system comprises a conductor and electronics, the electronics comprising a capacitor and a blocking circuit, wherein the conductor and the electronics are disposed within the plastic housing
Data Source
AI summary
An MRI local coil system for use with an MRI scanner to image a breast, the system comprising a plastic housing and an RF coil system. The RF coil system comprises a conductor and electronics. The electronics comprises a capacitor and a blocking circuit. The conductor and the electronics are disposed within the plastic housing and the conductor is integrally formed with the plastic housing.