MRI Power Amplifier Switching via Wilkinson Circuit and Quarter-Wave Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power amplifier designs for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging systems face inefficiency when switching between body and head coils, with either low efficiency or high cost being a disadvantage in current designs.
Innovation Solution
A power amplifier component comprising multiple sets of power amplifiers combined by Wilkinson circuits, with a combiner, a grounded switching device, a second switching device in series with a resistor branch, and a ¼ wavelength transmission line between the switching device and the head coil, allowing efficient switching between body and head coils by setting the states of the switching devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a six-way parallel connection is used to meet the requirement of a body coil, then the power amplifier can handle body coil requirements, but the efficiency is low when connected with a head coil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic switching mechanisms (first and second switching devices) to reconfigure the power amplifier connections between body coil and head coil modes. The switching devices dynamically change the circuit topology to optimize power flow for each coil type, resolving the efficiency loss when using a fixed six-way parallel connection for head coil operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a six-channel parallel connection is used to meet the requirement of a body coil, then the power amplifier can handle body coil requirements, but another separate channel is needed for head coil which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal power amplifier configuration where the same set of power amplifiers and switching devices can serve both body coil and head coil requirements. By using the switching devices to reconfigure the existing six-channel parallel connection, the system eliminates the need for a separate dedicated channel for head coil, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic switching devices enable the power amplifier to adapt its connection topology based on the required coil type. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single universal channel setup to handle both body and head coil requirements, avoiding the need for separate dedicated channels and reducing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switching is implemented between body and head coils, then the MRI examination application range is enlarged, but the power amplifier efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching devices that actively optimize power flow during coil switching operations. By dynamically reconfiguring the circuit topology between body and head coil modes, the system maintains high power efficiency while enabling versatile examination applications, thus resolving the trade-off between adaptability and energy loss.
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 configuration improves power efficiency and reduces costs by optimizing power flow and minimizing the need for additional channels, outperforming existing designs in both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a 1⁄4 wavelength transformation transmission line located between the second switching device and the head coil
Implementation Method 2
each set of power amplifiers comprising a plurality of channels of power amplifiers combined by a Wilkinson circuit
Implementation Method 3
a combiner configured to combine signals from the plurality of sets of power amplifiers and to connect the plurality of sets of power amplifiers to the body coil
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing a switching between a body coil and a head coil in a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system comprising the body coil, the head coil and a power amplifier component, wherein the power amplifier component comprises sets of power amplifiers, each set of power amplifiers comprising channels of power amplifiers combined by a Wilkinson circuit, a combiner configured to combine signals from the sets of power amplifiers and to connect the sets of power amplifiers to the body coil, a first switching device comprising a first terminal configured to be grounded, a second switching device connected in series in a resistor branch of the Wilkinson circuit, and a ¼ wavelength transformation transmission line located between the second switching device and the head coil, the method comprising connecting the power amplifier component to the body coil or the head coil by setting states of both switching devices.