Wireless RF Coil Timing Control for MRI Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in precision and efficiency when using wireless radio frequency (RF) coils due to delays in wireless communication, affecting the accuracy of active decoupling processes and echo signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The MRI apparatus includes a control signal transmitting unit that generates and transmits control information to the RF coil via wireless communication prior to the start of operations, ensuring precise timing for active decoupling and echo signal transfer by defining operation times during a repetition time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for RF coil operations, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to communication delays affecting active decoupling timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits control information for active decoupling operations to the RF coil before the actual decoupling timing occurs. This preliminary transmission allows the RF coil to receive and process control signals in advance, compensating for wireless communication delays and ensuring precise timing of decoupling operations while maintaining wireless operation benefits
2Device complexity
If wireless communication is used for RF coil control, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to timing errors in echo signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits control information defining operation times for echo signal transmission before the actual operations occur. This advance notification allows the RF coil to synchronize its operations with the MRI apparatus main body, ensuring reliable echo signal transmission timing while maintaining the simplicity of wireless operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the RF coil transmits echo signals and the MRI apparatus main body receives and processes them according to pre-transmitted control information. This closed-loop approach ensures that timing errors are minimized and reliability is maintained through coordinated operation based on shared timing information
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 enhances the precision of operations and ensures a sufficient transfer of echo signals, improving the overall performance of wireless RF coils in MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency coil configured to receive a magnetic resonance signal emitted from a patient as a result of an application of a radio frequency magnetic field thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a radio frequency coil and a control signal transmitting unit. The radio frequency coil is that receives a magnetic resonance signal emitted from a patient as a result of an application of a radio frequency magnetic field thereto and to transmit the received magnetic resonance signal via a wireless communication. The control signal transmitting unit that transmits control information that collectively defines operations to be performed by the radio frequency coil during a predetermined repetition time period, to the radio frequency coil via a wireless communication, prior to the start of the operations performed during the predetermined repetition time period. Further, the radio frequency coil that receives the control information via a wireless communication and to perform the operations on the basis of the received control information.