MRI Patient Table Optical Link Layout for Stable Wireless Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MRI systems face challenges in maintaining stable optical wireless communication due to the movement of the top plate, which interferes with the positioning of optical wireless devices, leading to noise interference and signal loss during signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The patient table incorporates an optical wireless unit disposed outside the movement range of the top plate, with signal conversion units inside the top plate converting signals into optical form for transmission via optical cables and wireless communication, ensuring stability and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the top plate is moved to move the subject into a bore while performing imaging, then the imaging function is achieved, but the optical wireless communication stability deteriorates due to interference with the positioning of optical wireless devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the patient table into functional segments: a movable top plate for subject positioning and a stationary leg portion for housing optical wireless devices. This segmentation allows the top plate to move freely for imaging while the optical wireless units remain fixed on the stationary leg portion, eliminating positioning interference and maintaining communication stability.
2Device complexity
If optical wireless devices are disposed inside the top plate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the noise interference and signal loss increase due to movement interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical wireless devices from the movable top plate and relocates them to the stationary leg portion. This extraction eliminates the harmful movement interference that caused noise and signal loss, while the optical cables maintain the necessary signal transmission path from the top plate to the leg portion where the optical wireless units are housed.
3Ease of operation
If the top plate moves during imaging, then the subject can be positioned in the bore, but the optical link stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical cables as an intermediary medium to connect the movable top plate to the stationary leg portion containing optical wireless devices. This intermediary allows signal transmission to maintain stability despite the relative movement between the top plate and the leg portion, as the optical cables accommodate the movement while preserving the optical link.
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 suppresses noise interference and signal loss, enabling stable optical wireless communication and high-quality image reconstruction in MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
an A/D converter that converts the signal obtained from the receive coil unit into a digital signal
Implementation Method 2
an electrical-to-optical converter that converts the digital signal into an optical signal
Implementation Method 3
an optical cable that is disposed inside the top plate and the leg portion and that transmits the optical signal output from the signal conversion unit
Implementation Method 4
an optical wireless unit that is disposed on the leg portion at a position outside a movement range of the top plate, that is connected to the optical cable, and that transmits the optical signal via optical wireless communication
Data Source
AI summary
A patient table includes: a top plate that moves with a subject placed thereon; a leg portion that supports the top plate; a signal conversion unit that is disposed inside the top plate and that is connected to a receive coil unit which receives a signal generated by the subject, the signal conversion unit including an A/D converter that converts the signal obtained from the receive coil unit into a digital signal, and an electrical-to-optical converter that converts the digital signal into an optical signal; an optical cable that is disposed inside the top plate and the leg portion and that transmits the optical signal output from the signal conversion unit; and an optical wireless unit that is disposed on the leg portion at a position outside a movement range of the top plate, is connected to the optical cable, and transmits the optical signal via optical wireless communication.