MRI Reception System Direct Sampling for Multi-Generation Coil Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face compatibility issues between local coils from different generations, as newer 'TiM4G' local coils are incompatible with reception systems of earlier generations, and vice versa, due to differences in signal transmission frequencies and bandwidths.
Innovation Solution
An improved reception system that uses a Weaver architecture with a digital signal processor (DSP) and decimation filters to directly sample and process analog signals from local coils without changing frequencies, allowing for the use of both 'TiM' and 'TiM4G' local coils on any MRI generation's reception system by converting signals into a common intermediate frequency and reducing data rates, thereby simplifying filter complexity and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequency conversion and spectral separation are used to process local coil signals, then signal processing precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental processing parameter from frequency conversion to direct sampling. Instead of converting signals to intermediate frequencies and performing spectral separation, the system directly samples the broadband RF signal from local coils at a high sampling rate (e.g., 2.5 GS/s). This parameter change eliminates the need for complex frequency conversion circuits and spectral separation filters, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining signal processing precision through direct digital sampling and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate frequency conversion stage and spectral separation components from the signal processing chain. By removing these complex analog processing stages, the system directly digitizes the RF signal and performs all processing in the digital domain, thereby reducing filter complexity and power consumption while preserving the necessary signal processing precision through digital signal processing techniques
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency conversion to intermediate frequencies is performed, then signal transmission compatibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes analog frequency conversion mechanisms with digital signal processing. Instead of using analog mixers, local oscillators, and frequency conversion circuits to translate signals to intermediate frequencies, the system directly samples the RF signal and performs all frequency processing, conversion, and separation in the digital domain. This substitution eliminates the power-hungry analog conversion stages while maintaining full compatibility with different local coil types through flexible digital processing
3Reliability
If spectral separation is performed for different frequency bands, then signal isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a high-speed analog-to-digital converter as an intermediary that directly transforms the broadband RF signal into digital form without requiring analog spectral separation. The digital signal processor then performs signal isolation and frequency band separation through digital filtering and processing techniques. This intermediary approach achieves the necessary signal isolation reliability while avoiding the complexity of multiple analog filters and frequency conversion stages
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging system, and a method of use are provided for a reception system for transmitting magnetic resonance signals from local coils to an image processing unit of a magnetic resonance imaging system. The apparatus includes an analog receiver for receiving and processing analog signals from the local coils that is configured to directly sample analog signals having different individual frequency bands and/or frequency band pairs, to distinguish the analog signals and to process them differently. The apparatus also includes an A/D converter for converting the processed analog signals from the local coils into digital signals. The apparatus further includes a digital signal processor for processing the digital signals, wherein the digital signal processor includes a Weaver unit and a downstream decimation filter unit.