Segmented RF Coil for Portable MRI Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
MRI devices require subjects to be placed in a narrow tunnel bore, causing claustrophobia and operational challenges due to the heavy and large integrated RF coils, which are difficult to install and detach for Head-First and Feet-First mode imaging.
Innovation Solution
The RF coil is divided into multiple units with overlapping coil elements and housings, allowing for easy attachment and detachment from a portable table, enabling both high-resolution head and neck imaging and whole-body imaging in various modes with improved operability and installability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an integrated RF coil unit is permanently installed on the table top, then the sensitivity range is widened and seamless imaging is enabled, but the weight and size increase making detachment labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil is divided into multiple detachable coil units (first coil unit, second coil unit, etc.) that can be separately attached and detached from the table top. Each unit contains coil elements and housing portions, allowing the system to maintain wide coverage when assembled while enabling easy removal of individual units to reduce weight and labor requirements.
2Weight of moving object
If the RF coil is taken apart into detachable units, then the size and weight are reduced improving mobility, but the structure becomes more complex requiring joining operations
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil is segmented into multiple independent units with standardized connection interfaces. The housing is divided into corresponding housing portions that fit together, and coil elements are arranged to overlap between units, creating a modular structure that simplifies assembly and disassembly while maintaining the overall coil functionality.
3Reliability
If coil units are arranged to overlap, then electromagnetic coupling is minimized improving signal quality, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil units are arranged in an overlapping configuration where adjacent units share common housing portions and coil elements. This three-dimensional overlapping arrangement minimizes electromagnetic coupling between units while maintaining compact installation space by utilizing vertical and longitudinal dimensions efficiently.
4Ease of operation
If a portable table with detachable RF coil is used, then installability and operability are improved, but the imaging speed may be reduced due to detachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The RF coil units are pre-assembled into complete imaging systems with all necessary connections and alignments prepared in advance. This preliminary configuration allows for rapid installation and detachment operations during imaging procedures, minimizing the time required for setup and enabling faster imaging speeds while maintaining ease of operation.
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 allows for efficient, high-speed imaging in both Head-First and Feet-First modes with reduced labor and cost, while minimizing electromagnetic coupling and maintaining high sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of coil elements (301a, 302a, 303a) which receive a high frequency signal from a subject on different channels, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A lower cost MRI device with a portable table detachable from the gantry is provided along with a lower cost table equipped with an easy-to-use and easy-to-install RF coil system able to perform high-resolution head and neck imaging and high-speed whole body imaging in both head-first and feet-first modes. This magnetic resonance imaging device has a portable table detachable from the gantry, and the portable table has a docking connector that can be connected to the gantry and a ceiling panel on which an RF coil can be installed to receive nuclear magnetic resonance signals generated by the examinee and to irradiate the examinee with a high-frequency magnetic field. The RF coil is divided into two or more RF coil units, the ceiling panel has a plurality of ceiling panel connectors enabling each RF coil unit to be connected, and each RF coil unit has a connector. Each RF coil unit is arranged in overlapping fashion on the ceiling plate and the ceiling panel connectors and coil connectors are connected without having to establish an electrical connection between RF coil units.