Wireless RF Coil for Legacy MRI Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional analog MRI systems face issues with radiation exposure due to RF cable emissions and signal degradation over long cable runs, making it difficult to update legacy systems with new coils and posing safety and cost concerns.
Innovation Solution
A wireless replacement reception system for analog MRI coils that uses base stations to digitize and process magnetic resonance signals, eliminating the need for galvanic cables and allowing for the use of wireless coils that can be specifically suited for different applications, thereby reducing radiation exposure and signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional RF cables are used to transmit magnetic resonance signals, then the system can maintain analog signal transmission compatibility, but patient radiation exposure increases and signal degradation occurs over long cable runs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/galvanic cable connection system with a wireless electromagnetic transmission system. The wireless RF coil transmits magnetic resonance signals wirelessly to the controller, eliminating physical RF cables from the signal path. This substitution removes the source of RF radiation exposure to patients while maintaining signal transmission capability through electromagnetic fields in the wireless domain.
2Length of stationary object
If RF cables are extended to reach distant controllers, then system connectivity is maintained, but signal degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmission system replaces the cable-based mechanical connection with electromagnetic field transmission. This eliminates the physical cable length constraint entirely, allowing the controller to be positioned at any distance without incurring signal degradation associated with long cable runs. The wireless electromagnetic signals maintain their integrity regardless of transmission distance within the operational range.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If BALUNs are added to reduce RF shield currents, then radiation exposure decreases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the BALUN component from the system entirely by eliminating the RF cable connection. Since the wireless RF coil transmits signals wirelessly without galvanic cables, there are no RF shield currents to manage, making BALUNs unnecessary. This extraction of the cable interface simplifies the overall system architecture while achieving the same radiation reduction goal.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the cable-based transmission system with wireless electromagnetic transmission, the patent eliminates the need for BALUNs that would otherwise be required to manage RF shield currents on cables. The wireless transmission medium inherently avoids the electromagnetic interference and shield current issues that plague cable-based systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If legacy analog MRI systems are used, then system compatibility is maintained, but adaptability to new wireless coils is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface that allows both traditional analog RF coils and new wireless RF coils to operate with legacy MRI systems. The wireless RF coil design incorporates standard communication protocols and signal formats that enable compatibility with existing MRI controllers, while also supporting future wireless coil technologies. This universal approach allows the system to adapt to different coil types without requiring fundamental modifications to the legacy MRI infrastructure.
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 reduces patient safety risks by minimizing RF emissions and signal degradation, enables the use of upgraded wireless coils in legacy systems, and improves image quality by eliminating signal loss associated with long cable runs.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless-type RF coil receives magnetic resonance signals emitted by an object-of-interest (OOI) being scanned as electromagnetic radiation and outputs electrical signals
Data Source
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Figure 2-I
AI summary
A transmission apparatus for legacy magnetic resonance (MR) systems including one or more of a radio transmission portion having coupling to an analog RF cable port of the MR system including at least one first controller, an analog-to-digital converter (A/D), and a transmitter. The first controller controls the A/D to digitize analog magnetic resonance (MR) information received from the RF coil and controls the transmitter to transmit the digitized MR information. A radio reception portion including an analog output port and a coupler for coupling the output port to a legacy cable port input of the legacy system including at least one second controller, a receiver, and a digital-to- analog converter (D/A). The second controller controls the receiver to receive the transmitted digitized MR information, and controls the D/A to perform a digital-to-analog conversion to form a corresponding analog MR signal which is output at the output port.