RF Power Calculation Apparatus for MRI Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF signal power measurement methods in MRI systems are inaccurate and fail to ensure patient safety, as they rely on a single receiving method that does not account for variations in RF signal reception.
Innovation Solution
An RF power calculation apparatus and method that utilizes multiple receiving methods (narrow-band and wide-band) to calculate RF signal power, comparing results to ensure accuracy and issuing alarms when thresholds are exceeded, thereby improving safety and reducing analog front-end performance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single receiving method is used for RF signal power measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the receiving system into multiple independent receiving methods (first receiving method and second receiving method), each capable of measuring RF signal power separately. This segmentation allows comparison of results from different methods to improve measurement accuracy while maintaining modular system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing the power measurement results from the first and second receiving methods. When the difference between measurements exceeds a threshold, the system identifies potential errors and can trigger alarms or repeat measurements, thereby improving measurement reliability through self-validation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiving methods are used for RF signal power measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple receiving methods into a unified power calculation system that processes measurements from both methods simultaneously. The calculation module combines results from the first and second receiving methods, using their agreement (or disagreement) to determine final power values and trigger appropriate responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of receiving method diversity, transitioning from a single method to multiple methods with different characteristics (e.g., different frequency ranges or measurement approaches). This parameter change enables cross-validation of measurements to improve accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If high-performance analog front-end is used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-performance analog front-end, the patent creates multiple copies of receiving circuits that can operate with standard-performance components. By having redundant receiving methods, the system achieves high measurement precision through software-based validation rather than relying on expensive analog components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on high-performance analog front-end hardware with a digital signal processing approach. Multiple receiving methods with digital comparison and validation replace the need for expensive, high-precision analog components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In an RF power calculation apparatus and method for an MRI system, a first power calculation processor calculates a first power of an RF signal received by a first receiving method, a second power calculation processor calculates a second power of the RF signal received by a second receiving method, a difference calculation processor calculates the difference between the first power and second power, an RF power calculation processor calculates an RF power of the RF signal on the basis of the first power and second power when the difference is smaller than a first threshold.