MRI RF Coil Decoupling via Perpendicular Sub-Loop Facing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF coil decoupling methods require overlapping of coil elements, leading to uneven division/join portions and design limitations, particularly in MRI systems where RF coils are heavy and require precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
The RF coil design incorporates a main loop and a sub-loop connected in series for each coil element, allowing decoupling without overlapping, with the sub-loops facing each other and a retaining unit to maintain positional alignment, enabling easy joining and separating of coil units while maintaining effective magnetic field cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two coil elements are overlapped at a division/join portion to perform decoupling, then magnetic field cancellation is achieved, but the case shape becomes thin and the division/join portion becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar overlapping decoupling to three-dimensional facing arrangement. Instead of overlapping coil elements in the same plane, the invention positions sub-loops of adjacent coil elements to face each other in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the arrangement plane), achieving decoupling through spatial separation in a different dimension. This resolves the case thinning issue while maintaining decoupling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides each coil element into a main loop and a sub-loop, where the sub-loop specifically performs the decoupling function. This segmentation allows the main loop to focus on signal reception while the sub-loop handles magnetic field cancellation, enabling independent optimization of each component's function and position.
2Reliability
If coil elements are arranged with overlapping at division/join portions, then decoupling is achieved, but the case cannot be divided at a surface perpendicular to the alignment direction
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the decoupling mechanism from the horizontal plane to the vertical dimension (facing arrangement perpendicular to the alignment direction), the patent enables the case to be divided at surfaces perpendicular to the alignment direction without interfering with decoupling functionality. The sub-loops face each other vertically, allowing horizontal division of the case while maintaining decoupling.
3Ease of manufacture
If sub-loops are arranged to face each other for decoupling, then overlapping is eliminated and case designability is enhanced, but positional alignment must be precisely maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a case structure with specifically designed openings that serve as intermediaries to position and align the sub-loops. The case openings guide the sub-loops into proper facing positions, automatically ensuring the required alignment without requiring high-precision manual positioning during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure is pre-designed with openings and guiding features that establish the correct positional relationship between sub-loops before the coil elements are assembled. This preliminary structuring of the case ensures proper alignment is achieved inherently through the design rather than through complex assembly procedures.
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 design simplifies the division/join portion, enhances designability, and reduces costs by ensuring effective decoupling without the need for overlapping, thus improving the structural integrity and operational efficiency of RF coils in MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
a summation of the magnetic fields, which interlink with another element, becomes zero
Implementation Method 2
a radio-frequency current having a predetermined frequency is flowing in one element
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency coil has a first element and a second element both being adjacently arranged so as to nip a division/join portion. The first element has a first main loop portion provided along an arrangement plain surface and a first sub-loop portion provided along a surface substantially perpendicular to the arrangement plain surface. The second element has a second main loop portion provided along the arrangement plain surface and a second sub-loop portion provided facing the first sub-loop. The first sub-loop portion and the second sub-loop portion generate an induced electromotive force such that, among magnetic fields generated when a current flows in one coil, a summation of the magnetic fields, which interlink with the other coil, becomes zero.