MRI Receiving Coil A/D Converter Placement for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in suppressing noise in magnetic resonance signals due to the late-stage conversion of signals, which leads to increased costs and complexity in design and operation, particularly with the need for costly receivers and selection circuits.
Innovation Solution
The integration of A/D converters in coil ports or relay devices within the MRI system allows for early digitalization of magnetic resonance signals, eliminating the need for late-stage receivers and simplifying the system configuration, thereby reducing noise inclusion and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conversion of magnetic resonance signal to digital signal is delayed to late stage, then system can use simpler conversion equipment, but noise inclusion in magnetic resonance signal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing A/D conversion at the coil port immediately after signal reception, before the signal passes through potential noise sources. This early digitalization prevents noise inclusion while the signal is still clean, resolving the contradiction between noise suppression and system complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If receivers and selection circuits are used for late-stage signal conversion, then signal processing can be simplified, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the A/D conversion function from the traditional receiver location and places it at the coil port. This eliminates the need for expensive receivers and selection circuits at later stages, reducing manufacturing costs while simplifying the overall system configuration through early digitalization.
Solution Approach 2:
By using inexpensive ADCs for direct sampling at the coil port, the patent replaces costly receivers and selection circuits with cheaper conversion devices. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining signal processing effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If A/D conversion is performed early at coil port, then noise inclusion is suppressed, but conversion device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive ADCs for direct sampling at the coil port, demonstrating that early conversion can be achieved with cost-effective devices. This approach suppresses noise inclusion while avoiding the need for expensive conversion equipment.
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 approach effectively suppresses noise in magnetic resonance signals, enhances signal collection efficiency, and reduces the overall cost of the MRI apparatus by enabling the use of inexpensive ADCs for direct sampling, while maintaining efficient signal transmission and processing.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving coil (6) that receives a magnetic resonance signal emitted from the subject (P)
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a couch, a gantry, a receiving coil, a converter, and a collector. On the couch, a subject is placed. The gantry supports a static magnetic field magnet and a gradient coil. The receiving coil receives a magnetic resonance signal emitted from the subject. The converter converts a magnetic resonance signal output from the receiving coil into a digital signal, thereby generating magnetic resonance signal data. The collector collects the magnetic resonance signal data. The couch or the gantry includes a coil port that connects the receiving coil and the collector to each other. The converter is provided in the coil port or a relay device that relays between the receiving coil and the coil port.