Magnetic Resonance Tomography Antenna Array Electronic Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) systems face challenges in achieving homogeneous transmit illumination and efficient data acquisition due to coupling between antenna elements and the need for mechanical rotation, which complicates the system design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic selection method for antenna elements in an MRT system, where a controller successively selects antenna elements around the field of view, replacing mechanical rotation with electronic switching, allowing for multiple transmitters and receivers to be connected to a larger number of antennas, thereby eliminating coupling issues and simplifying signal generation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mechanical rotation of antenna element is used, then transmit illumination homogeneity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation of the antenna element with electronic switching between multiple stationary antenna elements. A controller sequentially connects different antenna elements to the transmission line, simulating the effect of mechanical rotation without the associated mechanical complexity, moving parts, and cost implications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple discrete antenna elements arranged around the field of view, with each element being independently switchable. This segmentation allows the system to achieve uniform illumination by sequentially activating different segments (antenna elements) rather than relying on a single rotating element.
2Productivity
If mechanical rotation of antenna element is used, then data acquisition efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical rotation with electronic switching to achieve faster data acquisition. The electronic switching can be performed at much higher speeds than mechanical rotation, enabling more rapid sequential activation of antenna elements and thus faster data collection without the inertial and mechanical limitations of rotating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sequential activation of antenna elements through electronic switching. The controller cycles through different antenna elements in a predetermined sequence, creating a periodic sampling pattern that efficiently covers the entire field of view faster than mechanical rotation can physically reposition elements.
3Device complexity
If single receive or transmit channel is used, then device complexity is reduced, but signal quality and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the antenna array where each antenna element can serve multiple functions - acting as either a transmitter or a receiver depending on the switching state. The same physical antenna structure is used for both transmission and reception, with the controller managing the multi-functional operation to maintain signal quality while keeping the overall system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs receive/receive-echo switching that allows the system to discard the role of a particular antenna element as transmitter and recover it as receiver, or vice versa. This switching mechanism enables flexible allocation of antenna elements between transmission and reception functions, optimizing signal quality without requiring separate dedicated channels.
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 approach enables more homogeneous transmit illumination and accelerates data acquisition by reducing phase coding steps, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the MRT system while maintaining signal quality.
Implementation Method 1
The system for generation and analysis of the high frequency signals may be simple and of reasonable cost
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance tomography system that includes antenna elements and a controller for selection of the antenna elements. The controller is configured to select antenna elements that surround a field of view of the magnetic resonance tomography system in succession one after the other.