Segmented Local Coil for MRT Needle Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional local coils for magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) systems pose obstacles during minimally invasive interventions due to their necessary proximity to the region being imaged, making real-time monitoring difficult due to low signal strengths and long integration times.
Innovation Solution
A local coil design featuring a central antenna coil with a flexible, ring-shaped or polygonal housing and multiple peripheral antenna coils arranged to provide a flexible, two-dimensional configuration that allows for accurate tracking of instruments while minimizing obstruction, with decoupling mechanisms to optimize signal reception and instrument access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional local coils are placed close to the region being imaged to improve signal acquisition, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the coil becomes an obstacle during minimally invasive interventions and real-time monitoring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The local coil array is divided into multiple independently controllable antenna elements arranged in a specific geometric pattern. This segmentation allows selective activation and independent positioning of coil elements, enabling the system to maintain high signal-to-noise ratio in the region of interest while leaving other areas accessible for instrument insertion and manipulation during interventions
Solution Approach 2:
The local coil array incorporates dynamic control capabilities where individual antenna elements can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the intervention stage and instrument position. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize signal acquisition when monitoring is needed while minimizing obstruction when instrument access is prioritized
2Measurement precision
If local coils are positioned close to the examination region to improve signal strength, then signal acquisition is improved, but integration times remain long and real-time monitoring is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the local coil into multiple antenna elements with different spatial orientations and positions, the system can simultaneously capture signals from multiple sources. This parallel signal acquisition increases the overall signal strength and reduces the integration time required to achieve adequate image quality for real-time monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines signals from multiple antenna elements through coherent summation and signal processing techniques. This merging of multiple weak signals into a stronger combined signal enhances the overall signal strength and reduces the time required for adequate signal integration, enabling real-time monitoring capabilities
3Ease of operation
If a central opening is provided in the local coil for instrument passage, then access to the region of interest is improved, but the coil structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The local coil is segmented into multiple antenna elements arranged around a central region, where selected elements are positioned to form openings or gaps. This segmentation allows instruments to pass through the coil array while the remaining elements maintain signal acquisition capabilities, balancing accessibility with functional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The local coil array is designed with multi-functionality where the same structure serves both as a signal acquisition device and as a framework that accommodates instrument passage. The geometric arrangement of antenna elements provides both imaging functionality and physical access pathways, reducing the need for separate structural components
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
Enables fast and accurate tracking of instruments within an extended field of view, facilitating real-time monitoring and access to the region of interest without compromising signal quality or increasing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
align nuclear spins of the examination subject using a strong external magnetic field and excite the nuclear spins into precession around the alignment using an alternating magnetic field. The precession or return of the spins from the excited state into a state having lower energy generates, as response, an alternating magnetic field that is received via antennas.
Implementation Method 2
an antenna coil... configured to acquire signals of processing nuclear spins in a static magnetic field B0 of the field magnet. In one embodiment, the antenna coil is an induction loop having one or more turns that picks up a magnetic component of the magnetic resonance signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A local coil for percutaneous MRT-guided minimally invasive intervention is provided. The local coil has a central antenna coil having an opening for passing through an instrument. A first plurality of first peripheral antenna coils surround the central antenna coil on an outer circumference. The local coil is configured to be arranged flat on a body surface of a patient.