Apron-Shaped MRI Receive Coil for Stable, Easy Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receive coil units for MRI examinations impose a heavy burden on examination technicians due to their large size, instability when worn, and require complex attachment processes, leading to discomfort for subjects.
Innovation Solution
A receive coil unit designed with an apron shape that includes a body part covering the front and lateral sides, strap-shaped parts for shoulders, and attachable/detachable belts, allowing easy wearing and stable attachment without the need for complex handling by technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the receive coil unit is made large to cover the abdomen, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the burden on the examination technician increases due to difficulty in moving and attaching the large coil
Solution Approach 1:
The receive coil unit is divided into a body part and separate strap-shaped parts that can be attached independently. The strap-shaped parts can be hung on the subject's shoulders before the body part is attached, allowing the large coil to be managed in smaller, more manageable segments during the attachment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap-shaped parts are pre-configured to be hung on the subject's shoulders before the main body part is attached. This preliminary attachment of the straps simplifies the subsequent attachment of the large body part, reducing the overall burden on the examination technician.
2Ease of operation
If the receive coils are hung from one shoulder to enable wearing before examination, then the attachment process is simplified, but the stability of the receive coils deteriorates during the MRI examination
Solution Approach 1:
The strap-shaped parts are merged with the body part through connection portions, forming an integrated structure. This combination ensures that the receive coils remain stable during the MRI examination while still allowing for easy wearing before the examination, as the entire unit can be attached at once.
3Reliability
If connection portions are provided at two locations on one shoulder and the flank, then the receive coils can be secured, but the subject may feel uncomfortable during the MRI examination
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portions are strategically positioned at specific locations (shoulder and flank) where they provide secure attachment without causing discomfort to the subject. The local configuration of connection portions is optimized to balance securing the receive coils with maintaining subject comfort during the examination.
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
Reduces the burden on examination technicians and ensures stable, comfortable MRI examinations by enabling easy and secure fitting of the receive coils, minimizing discomfort for subjects.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency (RF) wave at a resonance frequency specific to an element is applied to an examination part of a subject, a generated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal is received by a receive coil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
A receive coil unit having an apron shape includes a body part (11) in which a plurality of receive coils (3) that receive magnetic resonance signals from a subject (P) under examination are disposed, and that covers a front side and a lateral side of the subject under examination, a first strap-shaped part (13) and a second strap-shaped part (13) that each have one end portion connected to an upper portion of the body part and that have strap shapes respectively placed on both shoulders of the subject under examination, and a first belt (15) and a second belt (15) that are connected to the other end portion of the first strap-shaped part and the other end portion of the second strap-shaped part and that are attachable to and detachable from each other.