Local Coil Interface for MRI Using Digital EEPROM Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance systems face challenges in accurately identifying local coils, particularly due to susceptibility to gradient or high-frequency signals, inflexibility in state change detection, and inability to provide coil-specific data, leading to incorrect responses and complex asset management.
Innovation Solution
A local coil interface that combines analog and digital approaches, using modifiable readout addresses for storage devices like EEPROM or flash memories, allowing for flexible state change mapping and disclosure of coil-specific data without modifying stored content, via a bus system like I2C, and emitting trigger signals for external control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analog resistance values are used to identify local coils, then coil type identification is achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to gradient or high-frequency signals causing incorrect responses and sequence termination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog resistance-based identification system with a digital interface using a storage facility (EEPROM or Flash memory) that stores coil type information, state information, and coil-specific data. This digital approach substitutes the vulnerable analog discriminator circuit with a robust digital communication interface, eliminating susceptibility to gradient or high-frequency signal interference while maintaining accurate coil identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital storage facility as an intermediary between the local coil and the magnetic resonance system. This storage facility acts as a mediator that stores and transmits coil information digitally through a bus interface, preventing direct exposure of the identification system to harmful electromagnetic signals while enabling reliable data exchange.
2Loss of information
If digital storage facilities are used to store coil information, then coil-specific data can be provided, but state changes of the coil cannot be disclosed to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the storage facility to serve multiple functions simultaneously: storing coil type identification data, storing coil-specific data (serial number, manufacturer, product status), and storing state information that reflects changes in coil conditions. This multi-functional approach allows a single digital storage component to replace multiple separate systems, enabling both information provision and state change detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage facility continuously reflects the current state of the local coil. When state changes occur (such as temperature changes or orientation changes), the storage facility is updated to disclose these changes to the magnetic resonance system, enabling real-time monitoring and adaptive response.
3Adaptability or versatility
If analog resistors are used for state change detection, then state changes can be identified, but the interface becomes inflexible as every state change generates an interrupt signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic interface where the readout address of the storage facility is modifiable based on the current state of the local coil. Instead of generating interrupt signals for every state change, the system dynamically adjusts the readout address to reflect the current state, allowing flexible and selective access to relevant information without requiring complex interrupt handling logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the readout address of the storage facility to encode state information. By modifying the readout address parameter based on coil state, the system efficiently communicates state changes without generating interrupt signals, thereby maintaining interface simplicity and flexibility while enabling comprehensive state monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A local coil for a magnetic resonance device includes a connector apparatus for establishing a connection to a plug-in station on a patient couch and at least one storage facility. The storage facility may be used to read out by way of the connection and may store at least one non-modifiable data item describing a property of the local coil. The storage facility may include at least one detection facility for acquiring measurement values describing the state of the local coil and at least one evaluation facility configured to modify the readout address of the storage facility as a function of the measurement values.