MRI Surface Coil Orientation for Animal Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI devices face challenges in efficiently scanning laboratory animals due to limited effective space, requiring expensive large devices or low scanning resolution, and manual RF coil tuning is cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
The MRI device features a horizontal main magnet assembly with vertically positioned surface coils and an automated RF tuning unit, allowing for precise positioning and automatic frequency adjustment of the RF coils to match the magnetic field, enabling improved imaging without the need for manual calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If main magnets are positioned horizontally with surface coils positioned vertically, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved for localized regions, but the effective free space is limited making it difficult to accommodate laboratory animals in a comfortable scanning position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the surface coils from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, placing them in the same plane as the main magnets. This dimensional change in coil positioning allows laboratory animals to be scanned in a supine position with their bodies aligned horizontally, providing adequate space and comfort while maintaining the localized signal-to-noise ratio benefits through proper coil placement near the region of interest.
2Ease of operation
If the MRI device is designed to be big enough to accommodate laboratory animals comfortably, then scanning resolution and animal comfort are improved, but the device becomes much more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the orientation of surface coils to be horizontal and coplanar with the main magnets, the system creates adequate horizontal space for accommodating laboratory animals in a supine position without requiring vertical space expansion. This allows comfortable scanning of animals at low cost while maintaining high scanning resolution through optimized coil placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual mechanical adjustment of RF coils is used to tune frequency, then the system can adapt to magnetic field variability, but the process is cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated electronic control system that uses a processor to calculate the required frequency tuning based on detected magnetic field strength and automatically adjusts the RF coil frequency accordingly. This eliminates the cumbersome manual trial-and-error process while maintaining the ability to adapt to magnetic field variability, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing calibration time.
4Measurement precision
If surface coils are placed directly on or over the region of interest, then magnetic sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but the distance between the scanned object and main magnet increases reducing effective space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions surface coils in the horizontal plane coplanar with the main magnets, allowing the coils to be placed close to the region of interest on the animal's body surface while maintaining adequate horizontal space between the animal and the main magnets. This horizontal arrangement preserves both the magnetic sensitivity benefits of close coil placement and the effective free space needed for comfortable animal positioning.
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 configuration allows for improved signal-to-noise ratio and sharper images in laboratory animals, reducing the need for large devices and simplifying the tuning process, thereby enhancing scanning efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet assembly including a plurality of main magnets positioned in a substantial horizontal plane
Implementation Method 2
Radiofrequency transmitted by the RF coil assembly needs to match the main magnetic field in order to receive a good signal
Implementation Method 3
Radiofrequency transmitted by the RF coil assembly needs to match the main magnetic field in order to receive a good signal
Data Source
AI summary
An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, comprising an automated tuning unit, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device including: at least one inner shaft and at least one outer shaft, the at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within the at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism; and a distal portion including: a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least outer shaft and the at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism.