Stretchable MRI Coil Assembly with Curved Conductive Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current coil assemblies for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) face challenges in stretchability and stability, leading to inefficient use of time and resources due to the need for repeated adjustments for different patient sizes and shapes, and discomfort for patients, as existing flexible coil arrangements suffer from irreversible deformation after limited stretching cycles.
Innovation Solution
A coil assembly featuring a flexible and stretchable dielectric sheet with electrically conducting coils that extend along its surface, where the conducting elements form a curved path within the sheet's plane, allowing for longitudinal stretching without plastic deformation and enabling repeated bending and stretching, along with a braided conductor design for enhanced durability and comfort, and incorporating strain gauges to compensate for changes in resonance frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual flexible conductive wires are embedded in multilayered fabric to achieve flexibility, then good flexibility is obtained, but stretchability and stability are lost due to irreversible deformation after limited stretching cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The conducting element is configured to extend along a curved path within the plane of the fabric sheet. This curved geometry provides a geometric length reserve that allows the conductor to stretch by straightening out the curve rather than by plastic deformation of the wire itself, enabling reversible stretching cycles while maintaining electrical conductivity and mechanical stability
2Ease of operation
If coils are formed by individual flexible conductive wires in multilayered fabric to achieve good flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but the number of stretching cycles is limited due to conductor fatigue and irreversible deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The curved path configuration of the conducting element allows stretching through geometric straightening rather than material deformation, significantly increasing the number of reversible stretching cycles the conductor can withstand without fatigue or permanent deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the conductor from a straight or wavelike structure perpendicular to the fabric to a curved path within the fabric plane. This parameter change transforms the stretching mechanism from plastic deformation to reversible geometric straightening, thereby extending the durability and number of usable stretching cycles
3Reliability
If mechanically individual coils of different sizes and shapes are used to cover various imaging situations, then optimal SNR performance is achieved, but positioning becomes challenging and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric sheet with integrated conducting elements provides a universal coil assembly that can be stretched and adapted to fit various body parts and imaging configurations. The single multi-functional assembly replaces multiple individual coils, allowing MRI staff to simply stretch and position one universal device rather than manually arranging multiple coils of different sizes and shapes for each patient
4Area of stationary object
If individual coils are positioned manually for each patient to achieve complete coverage, then imaging coverage is optimized, but the procedure becomes stressful and uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The universal stretchable coil assembly can be expanded to cover various body areas and imaging configurations, providing complete imaging coverage while maintaining patient comfort through a single non-intrusive device that adapts to different body shapes and sizes without requiring manual positioning of multiple individual coils
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
The coil assembly provides enhanced stretchability, comfort for patients, and efficient adaptation to various body parts, maintaining signal quality and allowing modular construction for larger arrays, while ensuring clinical hygiene through washability or disinfectability.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible conductor segment that is stretchable in a longitudinal direction thereof lying in a plane of said face, said conductor segment comprising at least one conducting element extending along a curved path within said plane, whereby a longitudinal stretching of said conductor segment is associated with a straightening of said curved path
Implementation Method 2
the flexible and stretchable sheet provides the tension that is needed to pull the conductor back into the 'relaxed', i.e. unstretched position of the coil array when it is taken off
Implementation Method 3
at least one electrically conducting coil for receiving and/or emitting a radio frequency signal
Implementation Method 4
incorporating strain gauges to compensate for changes in resonance frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A coil assembly for magnetic resonance imaging comprises a sheet (2) of flexible and stretchable dielectric material and at least one electrically conducting coil (4a, 4b) for receiving and/or emitting a radio frequency signal. The coil is attached to and extends along a face of the flexible sheet. At least part of the coil is made of a ribbon shaped braided conductor (6) that is arranged in substantially flat contact with the face.