Wireless RF Coil Clock Synchronization via Magnetic Field Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless-type RF coils in MRI systems face challenges in synchronizing with the system clock, leading to image degradation due to phase changes in the clock signal during transmission through the MR system bore and proprietary synchronization methods, limiting compatibility with MRI systems from different manufacturers and restricting data accessibility and use.
Innovation Solution
A wireless-type RF coil apparatus with a local clock and controller that acquires and time-stamps RF signals and magnetic field information independently of the system clock, allowing for k-space information formation and image reconstruction without synchronization with the MRI system clock, enabling the use of third-party coils and independent data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless-type RF coils use proprietary synchronization methods to achieve accurate clock synchronization with the MRI system, then image quality is improved, but compatibility with different manufacturers' MRI systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic field probes as intermediary devices that measure the actual magnetic field waveform generated by the MRI system. Instead of relying on proprietary clock synchronization methods, the system uses these physical field measurements as a universal intermediary that any wireless coil can access, regardless of manufacturer. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing a manufacturer-independent synchronization reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic/proprietary clock synchronization system with a magnetic field measurement-based synchronization system. By substituting the mechanical/electronic clock signal transmission with magnetic field sensing and waveform correlation, the system achieves synchronization without manufacturer-specific protocols, thereby improving compatibility while maintaining accuracy.
2Reliability
If wireless-type RF coils transmit clock signals through the MR system bore and patient, then synchronization is achieved, but phase changes occur causing signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic field probes as intermediaries to capture the magnetic field waveform at the location of the wireless coil. This intermediary measurement approach avoids the problem of clock signal phase changes during transmission through the bore and patient, as the field probes directly sense the field without the signals passing through the problematic transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the magnetic field waveform using the field probes, which serves as a reference for synchronization. This copied waveform information is then used to correlate with the received signal, eliminating the need for the original clock signal to pass through the bore and patient, thereby preventing phase degradation.
3Reliability
If MRI systems store data on local memory, then data accessibility is controlled, but data access requires the MRI system and incurs additional costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data acquisition and storage function from the MRI system by enabling wireless coils to independently acquire and store data. The wireless coil system becomes a separate, autonomous data collection unit that can store data locally and transfer it independently, eliminating the requirement for continuous connection to and control by the MRI system for data access.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless coil system performs self-service by independently acquiring, time-stamping, and storing data without requiring the MRI system's data management infrastructure. This self-sufficient approach allows users to access and use data without needing the original MRI system, eliminating data access restrictions and associated costs.
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 solution allows for accurate image reconstruction and data accessibility without proprietary synchronization, enhancing compatibility and reducing costs by eliminating the need for system clock synchronization and proprietary methods, while also improving image quality and reducing patient exposure to RF emissions.
Implementation Method 1
an RF transducer array comprising a plurality of coils tuned to acquire emitted RF signals using an MR technique from an object of interest (OOI) within a scanning volume of the MR system when subject to dynamic encoding fields
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field probe array comprising a plurality of field probes tuned to acquire magnetic field information of said dynamic encoding fields within the scanning volume
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for controlling a wireless-type radio frequency (RF) coil apparatus (102, 202, 302, 500) for a magnetic resonance (MR) system including a processor for acquiring emitted radio frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of coils of an RF transducer array including an indication of a local clock signal indicating a time of (RF) signal acquisition; acquiring magnetic field strength information from a plurality of field probes of a magnetic field probe array including an indication of the local clock signal indicating a time of magnetic field strength information acquisition, and forming k-space information based upon the acquired emitted RF signals from the plurality of coils of the RF transducer array and the acquired magnetic field strength information including the indications of the local clock signal.