MRI Patient Table Optical Wireless Layout for Stable Coil Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical wireless communication in MRI systems is prone to communication failure due to obstruction by objects or dust, leading to instability in signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The patient table design incorporates a signal conversion unit inside the top plate that digitizes signals from the receive coil unit, converting them into optical signals within the top plate, and an optical wireless unit that is initially hidden beneath the top plate, becoming exposed during movement into the imaging space, thus avoiding dust adhesion and enabling stable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical wireless communication is used for signal transmission, then cable-free transmission and avoidance of electromagnetic interference are achieved, but communication failure occurs due to obstruction by objects or dust
Solution Approach 1:
The optical wireless unit is designed to move between a retracted state (hidden beneath the top plate) and an extended state (exposed on the leg portion). This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational phases: retracted during patient loading to avoid dust accumulation, and extended during imaging to enable optical wireless communication. The movement of the top plate automatically triggers the transition between communication states.
2Reliability
If the optical wireless unit is always exposed for communication, then stable optical wireless communication is enabled, but dust and objects can obstruct the communication path
Solution Approach 1:
The optical wireless unit transitions between retracted and extended positions based on the operational state of the patient table. During patient loading and positioning phases, the unit remains retracted to prevent dust accumulation and obstruction. During the imaging phase, when the top plate moves into the imaging space, the unit automatically extends to establish optical wireless communication, ensuring communication stability when needed while avoiding obstruction during other operations.
3Measurement precision
If signals are digitized inside the top plate close to the receive coil unit, then noise interference and signal loss are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal conversion unit, which includes the A/D converter and optical signal conversion components, is integrated inside the top plate structure. This merging of functions allows the top plate to perform multiple roles: supporting the patient, housing the signal conversion electronics, and providing a protected environment for optical wireless communication. The integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high signal accuracy.
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 communication failure and noise interference, ensuring stable optical wireless communication and high-quality image acquisition 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, 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 movable top plate; a leg portion that supports the top plate; a signal conversion unit that is disposed inside the top plate and includes an A/D converter and an electrical-to-optical converter which convert a signal obtained from a receive coil unit into an optical signal; an optical cable that transmits the optical signal output from the signal conversion unit; and an optical wireless unit that is disposed on the leg portion, that is connected to the optical cable, and that transmits the optical signal via optical wireless communication, in which the optical wireless unit is disposed at a position that is hidden beneath the top plate in a case where the top plate is at an initial position before moving into an imaging space and that is exposed on the leg portion as the top plate moves into the imaging space.