RF Coil Elements with Crossing Conductive Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in achieving uniform magnetic field distribution and efficient imaging due to interference between conductive layers in RF coil elements, which affects image quality and field uniformity.

Innovation Solution

The MRI system incorporates RF coil elements with a unique configuration featuring two conductive layers crossing each other, with narrower widths at the intersection points, and an insulating structure made of fiber-reinforced plastics, along with a dielectric layer, to minimize interference and enhance field uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conductive layers in RF coil elements are made wider to improve signal strength, then imaging sensitivity is improved, but interference between conductive layers increases causing field non-uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging sensitivityVSAvoidinterference between conductive layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layers are designed with varying widths along their length, being narrower at intersection regions and wider at non-intersection regions. This local variation in geometry allows the conductive layers to provide sufficient signal strength in non-intersection areas while minimizing interference at crossing points, thus resolving the contradiction between signal strength and interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The width parameter of the conductive layers is changed along their length to optimize performance. By making the conductive layers narrower at intersection regions and wider elsewhere, the design dynamically adjusts the electrical characteristics to balance signal generation and interference mitigation, solving the technical contradiction between imaging sensitivity and field uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conductive layers are made narrower to reduce interference, then field uniformity is improved, but signal strength and imaging sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference between conductive layersVSAvoidimaging sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than uniformly narrowing the conductive layers, the design applies local quality variation by making them narrower only at intersection regions where interference occurs, while maintaining wider dimensions in non-intersection regions. This selective approach preserves signal strength where needed while minimizing interference at critical crossing points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The width parameter of the conductive layers is varied along their length rather than being uniform. This parameter change allows the system to maintain adequate signal strength in most regions while reducing interference at specific intersection points, thus resolving the contradiction between field uniformity and imaging sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional RF coil elements are used with uniform conductive layers, then manufacturing is simpler, but magnetic field uniformity and image quality are compromised due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF coil element fabricationVSAvoidinterference between conductive layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layers are fabricated with local variations in width, being narrower at intersection regions and wider elsewhere. This can be achieved through standard PCB fabrication techniques by designing the conductive trace patterns with varying widths, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly reducing interference between crossing conductive layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 improves magnetic field efficiency, increases valid field size in the z-direction, and enhances image quality by reducing interference between conductive layers, enabling better diagnostic imaging without the need for invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic field coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGradient magnetic field generation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

elements for applying a radio frequency signal to body tissues in order to induce resonance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency signal generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9612302B2Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with RF coil elements having crossing conductive layers

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. The MRI apparatus includes a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field; a magnetic field coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field and the magnetic field coil is disposed inside the magnet; and a radio-frequency (RF) coil unit comprising RF coil elements and the RF coil unit is disposed inside the magnetic field coil.