Electromagnetic RF Coil for MRI Wiring Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging systems face complexity and cost issues due to the need for multiple cables and decoupling circuits in coil array structures, which increase wiring difficulty and reduce reliability, especially with the increasing number of receive channels required for improved image quality.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency coil that is electromagnetically coupled with a transceiver coil, allowing for wireless transmission and reception of radio-frequency signals, eliminating the need for cables and decoupling circuits, and designed with a birdcage-like structure for improved signal uniformity and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a coil array structure with multiple receive channels is used to improve image quality, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple cables and decoupling circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cables and decoupling circuits from the coil array structure. By using electromagnetic coupling between the transmit/receive coil and local coils, the system achieves signal transmission and reception without requiring physical cables or decoupling circuits, thereby reducing wiring complexity while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic field-based coupling system. The transmit/receive coil and local coils are coupled through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical cables and decoupling circuits, thus reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If multiple cables and decoupling circuits are used in coil array structures, then receive channels are increased for improved image quality, but reliability decreases due to increased wiring difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes cables and decoupling circuits from the system, eliminating the wiring difficulties that compromise reliability. The electromagnetic coupling mechanism provides a cable-free approach that maintains signal transmission capability while significantly improving system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical cable connection system with electromagnetic field coupling. This replacement eliminates wiring-related reliability issues while maintaining the necessary signal transmission and reception functions for improved image quality
3Power
If traditional cable-based transmit/receive coils are used, then signal transmission is achieved, but energy efficiency is reduced due to additional power supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply requirements from the local coils by using electromagnetic coupling with the transmit/receive coil. The local coils receive energy wirelessly through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces cable-based power transmission with electromagnetic field-based energy transfer. The transmit/receive coil transmits both excitation signals and power to local coils through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for additional power supplies and improving energy efficiency
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
Simplifies the magnetic resonance imaging system wiring, enhances reliability, reduces costs, and improves signal-to-noise ratio by enabling independent radio-frequency signal transmission and reception without additional cables or power supplies, while using less energy and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The radio-frequency coil generates a radio-frequency excitation signal to excite a scanned subject to generate a magnetic resonance signal
Implementation Method 2
the radio-frequency coil and the transceiver coil are electromagnetically coupled
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging system, and a radio-frequency signal processing method and radio-frequency coil therefor are provided. The method comprises: receiving, via a radio-frequency coil, a radio-frequency pulse transmitted from a transceiver coil to generate a radio-frequency field that excites a subject to be examined; and sending, via the radio-frequency coil, a magnetic resonance signal received from the subject to be examined to the transceiver coil, wherein the radio-frequency coil and the transceiver coil are electromagnetically coupled.