MRI RF Coil Decoupling via Combined Elements and Transmission Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI RF coil designs face challenges in decoupling multiple coil elements, particularly in large arrays, which limits the effectiveness of parallel transmission and reception techniques, increasing complexity and cost, and reducing the number of patients that can be imaged efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves electrically connecting multiple coil elements to operate as one combined coil element using transmission lines, facilitating impedance transformation and decoupling, allowing for fewer channels to achieve equivalent performance in MRI systems, thereby simplifying decoupling and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple coil elements are used in large arrays for parallel transmission and reception, then imaging acceleration capability is improved, but decoupling complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coil elements into combined coil elements by electrically connecting them through transmission lines. Multiple individual coil elements are merged to form a single functional unit that operates as one combined element, reducing the total number of channels needed while maintaining the imaging acceleration capability through the combined elements' coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transmission lines as intermediary components to electrically connect coil elements. These transmission lines act as mediators that enable impedance transformation and facilitate the electrical connection between multiple coil elements, allowing them to function as combined elements while managing the complexity of decoupling through controlled impedance pathways.
2Productivity
If multiple coil elements are used in large arrays, then imaging acceleration capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple coil elements into combined coil elements, reducing the number of independent channels required. This consolidation decreases system cost by reducing the number of expensive channel components, amplifiers, and processing channels needed, while maintaining imaging acceleration through the combined elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission lines serve multiple functions: they electrically connect coil elements, enable impedance transformation, and facilitate signal transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining performance.
3Reliability
If traditional decoupling methods are used for large coil arrays, then coil element isolation is improved, but the number of channels required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coil elements into combined coil elements that share a common channel. This merging approach maintains coil element isolation through controlled electrical connections via transmission lines while reducing the number of channels required, as multiple combined elements can be served by fewer channel resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes impedance transformation through transmission lines to change electrical parameters. By controlling impedance values and transmission line characteristics, the system achieves proper isolation between coil elements while maintaining efficient signal transmission, allowing fewer channels to serve multiple combined elements.
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 method enables accelerated parallel Tx/Rx capability with fewer channels, reducing complexity and cost, while maintaining or improving image quality, and allowing for more efficient imaging of larger patient populations.
Implementation Method 1
facilitating impedance transformation and decoupling
Implementation Method 2
RF coils create the B1 field that rotates the net magnetization in a pulse sequence. RF coils may also detect precessing transverse magnetization.
Implementation Method 3
The frequency at which NMR will be created depends on the magnetic field present in the sample. Both the main magnetic field B0 produced by the MRI apparatus and the additional magnetic field B1 produced by a coil contribute to the magnetic field present in the sample.
Data Source
AI summary
An MRI RF coil array for use in a multi-channel MRI system, comprising a plurality of coils arranged in a M by N array, the number of columns corresponding with the number of channels in the MRI system. Columns are aligned with the B0 field. The plurality of coils are configured as a plurality of combined coils, corresponding with the number of columns, comprising a coil in a first row of the array connected with a coil in each of the remaining rows. The column position of each coil of a combined coil is distinct from the column position of each other coil of the combined coil. Coils of a combined coil are disjoint from the coils of each, other, combined coil. A combined coil is configured to connect with a corresponding member of the plurality of Rx channels, and is decoupled from each, other combined coil.