Wireless MRI Local Coil Array Using Low-IF Inductive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance tomography units face challenges with cable connections for local coils, which are prone to faults, dangerous for patients, and wireless transmission technologies suffer from interference and battery power interruptions, disrupting magnetic resonance recording.
Innovation Solution
A local coil array with antenna coils tuned to the Larmor frequency for maximum sensitivity, using frequency converters to shift signals to intermediate frequencies, and inductive coupling for transmission, along with a combiner matrix to optimize signal processing and power supply via an auxiliary signal induction coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable connections are used for local coils, then signal transmission and power supply are achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to faults and patient safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless electromagnetic coupling system. The local coil array communicates and receives power wirelessly through electromagnetic fields, eliminating physical cable connections that cause sheath currents and faults, thus improving reliability and patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic coupling mechanism between the local coil array and the external system. This intermediary allows signal and power transmission without direct electrical contact, resolving the contradiction between maintaining connection reliability and eliminating harmful cable effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wireless transmission technology is used for local coils, then cable-related hazards are eliminated, but reliability deteriorates due to interferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless transmission system into multiple independent transmission channels with different frequency carriers. This segmentation allows the system to transmit signals through multiple paths simultaneously, reducing the impact of interference on any single channel and improving overall transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs frequency modulation and varying transmission parameters to encode signals. By changing frequency and other transmission parameters, the system can distinguish between useful signals and interference, improving signal reliability in a wireless environment.
3Ease of operation
If batteries are used for power supply in local coils, then wireless operation is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to charging interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous wireless power transmission from the external system to the local coil array through electromagnetic coupling. This eliminates the intermittent charging nature of batteries, ensuring continuous power supply without interruptions while maintaining wireless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic fields as an intermediary for continuous power and data transmission. This intermediary mechanism provides uninterrupted energy supply compared to battery chemistry limitations, ensuring reliable operation without charging interruptions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If radio waves are used for wireless transmission, then cable hazards are eliminated, but harmful factors increase due to disruption of magnetic resonance recording
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses localized electromagnetic coupling at specific frequencies optimized for power and signal transmission without interfering with the broader magnetic resonance spectrum. By confining the electromagnetic fields to specific local regions and frequency bands, the system minimizes disruption to MRI recordings while maintaining wireless operation.
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
Ensures secure, reliable operation with reduced interference, improved signal transmission, and flexible power supply, enhancing the quality of magnetic resonance imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The local coil array is configured to receive a magnetic resonance signal from the body of a patient at a Larmor frequency
Implementation Method 2
A frequency converter (e.g., for each antenna coil) converts the magnetic resonance signals to a first intermediate frequency
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of transmission coils transmit the intermediate frequency signals by inductive coupling to a reception coil of the magnetic resonance tomography unit
Data Source
AI summary
A local coil array for a magnetic resonance tomography unit includes a plurality of antenna coils for receiving magnetic resonance signals from a patient, a first frequency converter for converting the magnetic resonance signals to a first intermediate frequency, and a plurality of transmission coils for transmitting intermediate frequency signals by inductive coupling. The magnetic resonance tomography unit includes a field of view and a plurality of reception coils for inductively coupling to transmission coils of the local coil array. The plurality of reception coils is arranged next to the field of view such that the plurality of reception coils inductively couples with transmission coils of the local coil array arranged at a patient in the field of view.