Local Coil Electrical Interface Integration for MRI Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional local coil arrangements for magnetic resonance systems require separate and error-prone electrical connections, exposing interfaces to mechanical stress and handling issues, leading to potential damage and misconnection.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a dimensionally stable electrical interface within the supporting element of the local coil arrangement, which is mechanically and electrically connected to a corresponding counter-interface on the patient bed during positioning, providing a stable and protected connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical interface is attached to a flexible cable and connected separately, then the local coil arrangement can be positioned on the patient bed, but the electrical connection requires a separate error-prone operation that increases complexity and risk of misconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical interface is integrated into the supporting element itself, merging the mechanical support function with the electrical connection function. This eliminates the separate cable attachment step and combines positioning and electrical connection into a single simultaneous operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element serves dual purposes: providing mechanical support for the local coil arrangement and housing the electrical interface for electrical connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cable attachments and reduces the number of components, thereby simplifying the overall connection procedure while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the electrical interface is connected via flexible cable, then the local coil arrangement can be electrically contacted, but the interface and cable are exposed to mechanical stresses and handling issues that cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the electrical interface directly into the rigid supporting element, the patent eliminates the flexible cable that was previously exposed to mechanical stresses. The supporting element itself becomes both the mechanical structure and the electrical connection carrier, protecting the electrical interface from external mechanical damage while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical interface is protected by being housed within the supporting element structure, which shields it from mechanical stresses and handling issues before they can cause damage. This preemptive protection design prevents fractures, crushing, and contact deformation that would otherwise occur during handling and transport.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate electrical connection operation is required, then each interface can be connected individually, but working time is increased and errors such as forgotten connections can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the electrical interface into the supporting element means that the act of positioning the local coil arrangement on the patient bed simultaneously establishes the electrical connection. This single simultaneous operation eliminates multiple separate connection steps, reducing both the time required and the opportunity for human error while maintaining precise electrical contact through the integrated design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prefabricated electrical interfaces are present, then comprehensive electrical contact is possible, but the number of separate connection operations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is designed to incorporate multiple electrical interfaces as integral parts of its structure. Each interface is permanently housed within the supporting element, allowing comprehensive electrical contact capability while maintaining a unified, single-positioning operation. This eliminates the complexity of managing multiple separate cable connections while preserving the versatility of contacting multiple interfaces simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A local coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications has a mechanically dimensionally stable support element that rests on a patient bed so as to transfer the weight of the local coil arrangement to the patient bed. The local coil arrangement has at least one local coil to excite and/or to receive magnetic resonance signals and a multipole, prefabricated electrical interface via which the local coil can be electrically contacted. The electrical interface is arranged so as to be dimensionally stable at the support element. Positioning aids for positioning of local coil arrangement are arranged on the support surface that also transfer the weight of the local coil arrangement is transferred to the patient bed as well as plugging the electrical interface into an electrical counter-interface.