Multi-Core Array RF Receiver Circuit Redundancy Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic resonance radio frequency devices become expensive and cumbersome as the number of channels increases due to redundant circuit configurations, limiting their signal processing ability and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic resonance multi-core array radio frequency device with a shared circuit configuration, including radio frequency coils, low noise amplifiers, multiplexers, band-pass filters, programmable gain amplifiers, frequency synthesizers, mixers, A/D converters, and a controller, which allows for selective channel control and communal circuit usage, reducing redundancy and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate circuits are configured for each channel in conventional receivers, then signal processing capability is maintained, but system cost and complexity increase significantly when channels increase to a certain number

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing abilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate receiver circuits into a single integrated receiver that can process signals from multiple radio frequency coils simultaneously. The receiver includes a plurality of receiving coils and a shared circuit configuration that processes signals from all coils, eliminating the need for separate circuits for each channel while maintaining full signal processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver is designed with universal functionality to handle signals from multiple nuclei types (1H, 19F, etc.) and multiple receiving coils through a single integrated circuit. The circuit can be configured to receive signals from different coils and process different nuclei types without requiring dedicated separate circuits, achieving multi-functionality with a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate circuits are configured for each channel, then channel-specific signal processing is achieved, but system cost increases when channels increase to a certain number

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel-specific processingVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple channel-specific processing functions into a single integrated receiver circuit that can be manufactured as one unit. This merging approach maintains the ability to process signals from different channels with appropriate filtering and amplification while significantly reducing the overall system cost compared to manufacturing and assembling separate circuits for each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver employs universal circuit elements that can handle multiple channel requirements through software or control-based configuration. The single circuit design includes configurable filters and amplifiers that can be adjusted to process signals from different channels and nuclei types, achieving channel-specific processing without requiring separate hardware circuits for each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If multiple nuclei signals are received simultaneously, then comprehensive spectral information is obtained, but signal processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral informationVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reception and initial processing of multiple nuclei signals into a single integrated receiver circuit. The receiver simultaneously captures signals from different nuclei types (1H, 19F, etc.) and performs initial filtering and amplification in a unified processing path, reducing the complexity that would arise from having separate processing chains for each nuclei type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver employs segmented filtering and processing stages that can be independently configured for different nuclei types. The circuit includes configurable band-pass filters and amplifiers that can be selectively activated for different nuclei, allowing comprehensive spectral information to be captured while managing processing complexity through modular, configurable stages rather than fully integrated monolithic processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution enables efficient and cost-effective reception of magnetic resonance signals from multiple nuclei by eliminating the need for separate circuits for each channel, enhancing signal processing capability and reducing system complexity while maintaining high precision and speed.

Implementation Method 1

A radio frequency device is an important component of the magnet resonance imaging equipment. It excites polarized nucleuses (such as 1H, 19F) in an object using radio frequency pulses transmitted by different radio frequency pulse sequences, so as to generate a plurality of magnetic resonance (MR) signals, and receive the MR signals.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a low noise amplifier electrically connected to the radio frequency coils, and configured to pre-amplify the magnetic resonance signal captured by the radio frequency coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Implementation Method 3

a radio frequency band-pass filter electrically connected to the multiplexer, and configured to filter the magnetic resonance signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBand-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 4

a programmable gain amplifier electrically connected to the radio frequency band-pass filter, and configured to amplify the magnetic resonance signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Implementation Method 5

a frequency synthesizer configured to generate a local oscillator signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal generation:

Implementation Method 6

a mixer electrically connected to the programmable gain amplifier and the frequency synthesizer, and configured to mix the magnetic resonance signal and the local oscillator signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal mixing:

Implementation Method 7

an A/D converter electrically connected to the mixer, and configured to convert the magnetic resonance signal mixed by the mixer into a magnetic resonance digital signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnalog to digital conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9606204B2Magnetic resonance multi-core array radio frequency device and magnetic resonance signal receiving method
Publication Date: 2017.03.28 SHENZHEN INST OF ADVANCED TECH CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
  • US9606204B2 patent drawing
  • US9606204B2 patent drawing
  • US9606204B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A magnetic resonance multi-core array radio frequency device and a magnetic resonance signal receiving method are provided. The device comprises a radio frequency receiver which includes a radio frequency coil (11), a low noise preamplifier (13), a multiplexer (15), a radio frequency band-pass filter (17), a program control amplifier (19), a frequency synthesizer (21), a mixer (23), an analog to digital converter (29) and a controller (31). The controller (31) is used for controlling the multiplexer (15) to select a corresponding radio frequency coil channel, a corresponding filtering channel, gain of the radio frequency band-pass filter (17), and receiving a magnetic resonance digital signal transmitted by the analog to digital converter (29). Due to the multiplexer (15), there is no need to configure different circuits respectively for different nuclear magnetic resonance, redundancy of the circuits is reduced, and cost is reduced.