Optical Magnetometer MR Receiving Unit for High SNR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) receiving units have limitations in achieving high signal-to-noise ratios, particularly at lower main magnet field strengths, leading to artifacts and increased costs with stronger magnet fields.

Innovation Solution

A receiving unit incorporating optical magnetometers with a light source, optical waveguides, and detectors to enhance sensitivity, allowing for improved signal acquisition and reduced artifacts at lower magnet field strengths, utilizing optical magnetometers like atomic vapor cell or diamond magnetometers with nitrogen-vacancy centers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional copper coil receiving units are used, then the device complexity is low, but the signal-to-noise ratio is insufficient particularly at lower main magnet field strengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional copper coil receiving units with optical magnetometer-based receiving units. This substitution transitions from electrical measurement systems to optical measurement systems, utilizing light-matter interactions (specifically the interaction of light with vapor atoms in the optical magnetometer) to detect magnetic resonance signals, thereby achieving superior signal-to-noise ratio performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the receiving unit by transitioning from electrical conductivity-based detection (copper coils) to optical property-based detection (optical magnetometers). The optical magnetometer operates by detecting changes in the optical properties of vapor atoms under the influence of magnetic fields, representing a parameter change from electrical to optical domain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If stronger main magnet field strengths are used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then the signal-to-noise ratio increases, but artifacts such as B1 inhomogeneities increase and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidartifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical-based signal detection with optical-based signal detection using optical magnetometers. This substitution enables high signal-to-noise ratio performance at lower main magnet field strengths, thereby avoiding the artifacts (such as B1 inhomogeneities) that arise from using stronger magnet fields with conventional systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If stronger main magnet field strengths are used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then the signal-to-noise ratio increases, but the costs of the main magnet increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidcosts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes conventional electrical receiving units with optical magnetometer-based receiving units, which achieve superior signal-to-noise ratio performance. This enables the system to operate effectively at lower main magnet field strengths, thereby reducing the costs associated with constructing and maintaining high-strength magnets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly increases the signal-to-noise ratio, reduces artifacts, and enables more economical MR imaging by allowing lower main magnet field strengths, improving image quality and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

spins comprised by the first optical magnetometer are configured to be aligned by initial light generated by the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical pumping:

Implementation Method 2

The frequency of the MR signals substantially corresponds to the Larmor frequency of the spin at the relevant strength of the main magnet field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLarmor precession:

Implementation Method 3

a sensor unit comprising a first optical magnetometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical magnetometry:

Implementation Method 4

a first optical waveguide connecting the sensor unit to the light source, and a second optical waveguide connecting the sensor unit to the first optical detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11519983B2Quantum sensor-based receiving unit configured for acquiring MR signals

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a receiving unit configured for acquiring MR signals from an examination object in a magnetic resonance device. The receiving unit may include a detector unit comprising a light source and a first optical detector, a sensor unit comprising a first optical magnetometer, a first optical waveguide connecting the sensor unit to the light source, and a second optical waveguide connecting the sensor unit to the first optical detector.