Wireless MRI Local Coil Control Using RF Noise Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless MRI coil systems require separate transmitting and receiving antennas, leading to increased space usage and electromagnetic interference, complicating electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design.
Innovation Solution
A local coil control apparatus in an MRI system that uses a wireless receiving unit to detect background or broadband noise from an RFPA, generating control signals to switch local coils between tuned and detuned states without separate control signals or data transmission modules, thereby reducing control complexity and avoiding interference with MR signal reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate transmitting and receiving antennas are used for control signal transmission, then control signals can be transmitted to local coils, but the system occupies more space and causes electromagnetic interference with MR signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control signal transmission function with the existing MR signal reception pathway by using the body coil as both the transmitting antenna for control signals and the receiving coil for MR signals. This eliminates the need for separate transmitting and receiving antennas, reducing space occupation and electromagnetic interference while maintaining control signal transmission capability.
2Reliability
If a separate data transmission module is added for control signal transmission, then control signals can be transmitted reliably, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the body coil multi-functional by using it both as the transmitting antenna for control signals and as the receiving coil for MR signals. This eliminates the need for separate data transmission modules while ensuring reliable control signal transmission through the existing RF pathway, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If control signals are transmitted using existing MR frequency pathways, then no additional hardware is needed, but control signals interfere with MR signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by timing control signal transmission to occur during periods when MR signal reception is not active (e.g., during dead times or between excitations). The control signals are transmitted asynchronously with MR signal acquisition, ensuring that control signals do not interfere with MR signal reception while still achieving the desired coil state switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A local coil control apparatus and a wireless local coil in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The apparatus includes a control signal transmission unit, the control signal transmission unit including a wireless receiving unit, a control signal extraction unit, and a control signal distribution unit. The wireless receiving unit receives, by a receiving antenna, a signal from a radiofrequency power amplifier emitted by a body coil of the MRI system, and transmits the signal to the control signal extraction unit; the control signal extraction unit, if it detects that the signal is background noise, generates a control signal instructing a local coil unit to switch to a tuned state, and, if it detects that the signal is broadband noise, generates a control signal instructing the local coil unit to switch to a detuned state, and distributes the control signal to each local coil unit through the control signal distribution unit.