Transformable MRI Couchtop for Subject Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures, subject movement compromises image quality, necessitating restrictive body positioning, which is uncomfortable and burdensome for both the subject and the technician, often requiring external support like cushions.
Innovation Solution
A transformable couchtop with a movable and bendable design, controlled by a couch controller that adjusts based on receiver coil information to restrict movement at imaging-target areas, allowing for comfortable positioning without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a subject's body position is restricted during MRI imaging to maintain image quality, then image quality is improved, but subject comfort deteriorates and places a large burden on the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The couchtop is divided into multiple independently controllable regions (first region, second region, third region) that can be transformed separately. This segmentation allows the imaging-target region to remain stable for image quality while other regions can be transformed to improve subject comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the couchtop are given different functional properties: the first region (imaging-target region) maintains stability for image quality, while the second and third regions can be transformed to support subject comfort. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If a technician places cushions on the couchtop to improve subject comfort, then subject comfort is improved, but the work burden on the technician increases
Solution Approach 1:
The couchtop automatically transforms its regions based on control signals from the controller, eliminating the need for technicians to manually place cushions. The system serves itself by autonomously adjusting to improve subject comfort while reducing technician workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The couchtop transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can be transformed in real-time based on imaging requirements and subject comfort needs, replacing manual cushion placement with automated mechanical transformation.
3Ease of operation
If the couchtop is made transformable to improve subject comfort, then subject comfort is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The couchtop is segmented into multiple regions with independent transformation capabilities, allowing complexity to be distributed and managed separately for each region rather than requiring complex global transformation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformable couchtop serves multiple functions: maintaining imaging-target region stability for image quality and providing comfort transformations in other regions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single system.
4Ease of operation
If the couchtop transforms to allow comfortable positioning, then subject comfort is improved, but movement at imaging-target areas may compromise image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The couchtop is divided into distinct regions with different transformation behaviors: the first region (imaging-target region) maintains stability to preserve image quality, while the second and third regions can transform to improve subject comfort without affecting imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spatial regions of the couchtop are assigned different functional qualities: stability in the imaging-target region for image quality and transformability in other regions for comfort, resolving the contradiction through localized functional differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A couch according to an embodiment is a couch for a magnetic resonance imaging device, and includes a transformable couchtop, a movable couchtop, and processing circuitry. The transformable couchtop is configured to be at least partially transformable and to support a subject. The movable couchtop is configured to cause the transformable couchtop to move into a gantry of the magnetic resonance imaging device. The processing circuitry is configured to control transformation of the transformable couchtop. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire information regarding a receiver coil used in imaging of the subject, and to control the transformation of the transformable couchtop based on the information regarding the receiver coil.