MRI Receiving Coil with Odd Sensitivity Sub-coils for Coupling Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) receiving coils face challenges with electromagnetic coupling between sub-coils, leading to noise interference and reduced signal-to-noise ratios, particularly in vertical magnetic field MRI systems, where coil size and arrangement affect the geometry factor and field of view, limiting the effectiveness of parallel imaging and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A receiving coil design featuring a combination of solenoid coils and sub-coils with odd sensitivity distributions, arranged to minimize magnetic coupling and maximize sensitivity, including solenoid coils and counter-rotation coils with overlapping conductor regions, and the use of light-transmissive electroconductive materials to reduce conductor density and maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface coils are arranged facing each other with large sizes to improve sensitivity and G-factor, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but electromagnetic coupling between coils increases causing noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic coupling suppression coil is introduced as an intermediary element between the surface coils. This suppression coil acts as a mediator that generates a magnetic field to counteract and cancel the electromagnetic coupling between adjacent surface coils, thereby reducing noise interference while maintaining the beneficial large coil size for sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling suppression coil applies preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a counteracting magnetic field that neutralizes the harmful electromagnetic coupling before it can interfere with the signal detection. This proactive approach prevents noise generation rather than attempting to filter it afterward
2Measurement precision
If the number of coil conductors is increased to improve sensitivity and coverage, then the signal detection capability improves, but the field of view of the subject is blocked and metal oppression increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional planar coil arrangements to a three-dimensional spatial configuration where coil conductors are distributed in multiple layers and orientations. This dimensional expansion allows the conductors to wrap around the subject's head in a volumetric pattern, maintaining detection capability while minimizing obstruction of the subject's forward view
Solution Approach 2:
The coil system is segmented into multiple independent coil units or elements that are distributed spatially around the subject. This segmentation allows each conductor segment to be positioned optimally for signal detection while collectively providing comprehensive coverage without requiring a dense concentration of conductors in any single location, thereby reducing visual obstruction
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
The proposed coil configuration significantly reduces magnetic coupling, improves the geometry factor, allows for flexible phase-encoding directions, and enhances the field of view, enabling high-quality, high-speed parallel imaging without compromising coil characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a first sub-coil formed of one or multiple solenoid coils to detect a magnetic field generated in a crossing direction with respect to the direction of the static magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a receiving coil constructed of a plurality of sub-coils and for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the object to be examined
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a receiving coil that allows a high-quality image of high depth sensitivity to be obtained during vertical magnetic field MRI without limiting selection of a cross section to be imaged and of a phase-encoding axis. A subject's field of view is broadened without deterioration of the coil characteristics. Two orthogonal solenoid coils (3-1 and 4-1) and sub-coils (5-1, 6-1, and 7-1) whose sensitivity distributions each become an odd function in an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction, respectively, with respect to the origin of the sensitivity distribution of each of the solenoid coils are used as multiple sub-coils to construct the receiving coil. This receiving coil is suitable for a high-speed imaging method in which an image is acquired using reduced phase encoding and the image is reconstructed using image folding. In addition, the subject's field of view can be broadened by arranging conductors of the coil appropriately.