Tiltable MRI Head Coil Mirror Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head/neck coils in MRI devices are not tiltable, making it difficult for patients to comfortably view their surroundings during examinations, and manual adjustments are cumbersome for staff.
Innovation Solution
A tiltable head/neck coil with a leveling mirror system that includes a rotatable mirror housing and stand, adjustable locking screws, and additional weights to maintain a level position, allowing patients to view in multiple directions without distortion during MRI measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the head/neck coil is made tiltable to improve patient comfort and viewing experience, then patient comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror housing is made rotatable relative to the coil housing, allowing dynamic adjustment of the mirror angle to accommodate different patient positions and viewing requirements. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various examination scenarios while maintaining patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Counterweights are integrated into the mirror stand mechanism to balance the mirror housing during rotation. This counterweight system reduces the effort required for manual adjustment and helps maintain stable positioning once adjusted, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment mechanisms are added to allow tilting and mirror adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides preliminary positioning through gravity-assisted settling and counterweight balancing, which automatically guide the mirror housing to appropriate angles before fine adjustment is needed. This preliminary action reduces the manual effort required for precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex motorized adjustment mechanisms with a simplified mechanical system using gravity, counterweights, and friction-based locking. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for motors, sensors, and control electronics, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid mirror system is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vibration sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror housing is designed to be rotatable rather than rigidly fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust and absorb vibrations from the MRI environment. This dynamic design maintains manufacturing precision while improving reliability by reducing vibration sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable mirror housing acts as an intermediary between the rigid coil structure and the mirror surface. This intermediary element isolates the mirror from direct transmission of vibrations, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while improving reliability in the vibrating MRI environment.
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 tiltable mirror system enhances patient comfort by providing a stable and adjustable viewing experience, reducing the impact of vibrations and simplifying the adjustment process for staff.
Implementation Method 1
leveling mirror system that includes a rotatable mirror housing and stand, adjustable locking screws, and additional weights to maintain a level position
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments relate to a local coil arrangement for an imaging MRI system, where the system is a head local coil or a head/neck local coil, which includes a mirror housing that is mounted in a rotatable manner on the local coil arrangement.