RF Coil Selection in MRI Systems Using Gradient Field Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, determining effective RF coil units that cover the field of view (FOV) is currently inefficient and prone to operator-dependent inaccuracies, leading to suboptimal imaging quality and signal interference from ineffective coil units.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically determine effective RF coil units by utilizing the linear relationship between gradient magnetic field intensity and distance to the magnetic field center, along with the gyromagnetic ratio coefficient of hydrogen atoms, to identify coil units covering shape-characteristic points within the FOV, thereby eliminating manual positioning errors and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual determination of effective coil units is performed by visual inspection according to laser-positioning light, then the process can be completed with simple equipment, but the determination accuracy is low and operator-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection method with an automatic determination system that uses the processor to calculate which coil units cover the FOV based on coordinate information. This substitutes human visual judgment with computational logic, eliminating operator dependency and improving determination accuracy while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines effective coil units using pre-stored coordinate information of coil units and FOV parameters. The processor self-calculates the coverage relationship without requiring manual intervention or external positioning aids, enabling the system to serve itself in the determination process.
2Reliability
If all coil units are activated during MRI operation, then complete coverage is ensured, but signal interference and noise increase from ineffective coil units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies only those coil units that actually cover the FOV using coordinate-based calculations. By separating effective coil units from ineffective ones, the system activates only the necessary components, removing the harmful signal interference and noise generated by inactive coil units while maintaining complete FOV coverage.
3Productivity
If automatic determination of effective coil units is implemented using coordinate information and processor calculations, then determination accuracy and efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing processor in the MRI system to perform coil unit determination, making the processor serve multiple functions: both image reconstruction and coil unit identification. This approach improves determination efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity, as the processor's computational capabilities are already present for other system functions.
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 enhances imaging precision and reduces noise by accurately selecting active coil units, improving the quality and speed of MRI image acquisition while minimizing artificial influences and signal interference.
Implementation Method 1
a preset gradient magnetic field is applied to the FOV
Implementation Method 2
signals related to the relaxation, such as time duration of the relaxation and the like, may be acquired according to the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining a position of a RF coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is disclosed. As an example, a center of a field of view (FOV) to be scanned may be adjusted to a magnetic field center of a MRI system, and coordinate values in a coordinate system for shape-characteristic points of the FOV may be determined, where an origin of the coordinate system is located at the magnetic field center of the MRI system. A preset gradient magnetic field may be applied to the FOV, and coil units respectively covering the shape-characteristic points may be determined. An effective region may be obtained by connecting the determined coil units according to the shape of the FOV, and a coil unit located in the effective region may be determined as an effective coil unit for imaging the FOV by the MRI system.