Single-Layer MRI RF Coil Array for Guidewire Heating Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional approaches to mitigating unwanted radio frequency (RF) heating of endovascular guidewires during interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) procedures are suboptimal, leading to safety issues and limited utility, as they require dedicated and expensive MRI systems or complex coil configurations that increase costs and reduce image quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of a single-layer MRI RF coil array with independently adjustable magnitude and phase of induced currents in individual coil elements to generate an amplified local Tx field, reducing RF heating while maintaining clinically useful image quality without the need for expensive parallel transmitting systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional whole body coil (WBC) is used as a transmit coil, then the MRI system can generate sufficient RF energy to image the anatomy, but the guidewire resonates with the WBC causing excessive heating of the guidewire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single-layer coil array into multiple independently controllable coil elements, each capable of being individually tuned and controlled. This segmentation allows the system to create multiple transmit modes by selectively activating and phasing different coil elements, enabling RF energy transmission while controlling guidewire heating through mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the coil system by implementing independent magnitude and phase control for each coil element. This allows the system to generate different transmit modes with varying RF field distributions, enabling the selection of modes that provide sufficient imaging power while minimizing guidewire resonance and heating.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If parallel transmitting (pTx) coils are used to mitigate guidewire heating, then low heat modes can be generated, but the system requires dedicated expensive pTx MRI systems that are not in wide use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single-layer coil array perform multiple functions: it can operate in receive mode for standard MRI imaging, switch to transmit mode for guided wire imaging, and provide multiple transmit modes for heating mitigation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated pTx systems while achieving the same heating mitigation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the transmit and receive coil functions into a single-layer coil array that can operate in both modes. By merging these functions and implementing independent magnitude/phase control, the system achieves parallel transmitting capabilities without requiring separate dedicated pTx hardware, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple layers of conductors and dielectric material are used to mitigate RF heating, then heating can be reduced, but new complex guidewire designs are required which increase costs and render current metal wires unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the single-layer coil array as an intermediary system between the RF transmitter and the guidewire. Instead of modifying the guidewire to reduce heating, the intermediary coil array creates RF field distributions that inherently minimize heating of standard guidewires, allowing existing guidewire designs to be used without modification.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the magnitude and phase of induced currents in individual coil elements are independently adjustable, then an amplified local Tx field can be generated that reduces RF heating while maintaining image quality, but the coil complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control capabilities where the magnitude and phase of induced currents in each coil element can be independently adjusted. This dynamic control allows the system to adaptively generate different transmit modes optimized for specific imaging scenarios, creating amplified local Tx fields that reduce RF heating while maintaining image quality through real-time parameter optimization.
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 solution effectively mitigates RF heating of guidewires during iMRI procedures, improving safety and utility by reducing costs and maintaining image quality, as the adjustable Tx field minimizes heating while ensuring efficient power transfer and uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
The LC coil, upon resonating with a primary coil, generates a local amplified transmit field based on an induced current
Implementation Method 2
The at least one inductor and the at least one capacitor resonate at a first frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) system configured to control a heating mode of an iMRI guidewire, the method comprising: controlling, during an iMRI procedure, a magnitude of an induced current in a single-layer MRI radio frequency (RF) coil used in the iMRI procedure, or a phase of the induced current by adjusting at least one of: a difference between a working frequency of a whole body coil (WBC) used in the iMRI procedure and a resonant frequency of the single layer MRI RF coil, a coil loss resistance of the single layer MRI RF coil, or a blocking impedance of an LC circuit connected in parallel with the single-layer MRI RF coil; and controlling a heating mode of the guidewire based, at least in part on the magnitude or phase.