Wireless MRI Coil with Autonomous Pulse Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI coil designs face complexity in communication due to radio frequency interference and require specific coil models for different MRI systems, leading to increased architecture complexity and vendor dependence.
Innovation Solution
A MR receive coil with integrated electronics that detects electromagnetic pulses to synchronize data acquisition independently, allowing preloading of pulse sequences and using asynchronous communication paths, such as USB or Bluetooth, to operate with various MRI systems without vendor-specific control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the MRI system sends substantial control information to the radio frequency receive coil to manage coil operations, then the coil operations can be managed at a low level, but the coil architecture complexity increases and communication becomes problematic due to large amounts of radio frequency interference
Solution Approach 1:
The coil autonomously detects electromagnetic pulses (RF pulses or magnetic field gradient pulses) generated by the MRI system and independently determines acquisition timing, eliminating the need for complex control signal communication between the MRI system and coil. This self-service approach simplifies coil architecture while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism where the coil detects electromagnetic pulses as a mediator to synchronize acquisition timing. This intermediary approach replaces direct control signal communication, reducing architectural complexity and RF interference issues.
2Reliability
If the coil is designed for specific communication protocols of a particular MRI system, then the coil can communicate effectively with that system, but different coil models need to be manufactured for different MRI system vendors and models
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is designed with universal functionality by detecting electromagnetic pulses that are common to all MRI systems (RF pulses for excitation or magnetic field gradient pulses). This universal detection mechanism allows a single coil model to work with any MRI system vendor or model, eliminating the need for vendor-specific coil variants.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the MRI system sending control signals to the coil, the invention inverts the approach by having the coil autonomously detect electromagnetic pulses from the MRI system and independently manage acquisition timing. This inversion eliminates the need for protocol-specific communication design.
3Measurement precision
If detailed communication instructions are sent between the MRI system and coil, then precise coil control is achieved, but communication becomes problematic due to radio frequency interference in the MRI room
Solution Approach 1:
The coil autonomously detects electromagnetic pulses and independently determines acquisition timing without receiving detailed control instructions from the MRI system. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex communication that would be susceptible to RF interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical communication system (control signal transmission) with an electromagnetic detection system. The coil detects electromagnetic pulses that are already present in the MRI environment, substituting active communication with passive detection that is immune to RF interference.
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
This approach simplifies MRI coil architecture, enables vendor-agnostic operation, reduces communication complexity, and ensures clock synchronization with the MRI system, allowing the coil to function across a wide range of MRI pulse sequences and systems.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna comprising the at least one MR coil element or another antenna that is different from the at least one MR coil element; and electronics configured to detect reception of an electromagnetic pulse of interest by the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance (MR) receive coil (18) includes at least one MR coil element (22) configured to receive MR signals excited in a subject disposed in an MR imaging device (10); an antenna (22, 28) comprising the at least one MR coil element (22) or another antenna (28) that is different from the at least one MR coil element; and electronics (24) configured to detect reception of an electromagnetic pulse of interest by the antenna and to perform a coil function based on the detection. The electromagnetic pulse of interest is a radio frequency (RF) pulse generated by the MR imaging device or a magnetic field gradient pulse generated by the MR imaging device.