Radio frequency receive coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging systems with disconnection warning

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017336484-A1
Application number	US-201515533397-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 4, 2015
Priority date	Dec 8, 2014
Publication date	Nov 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) receive coil device ( 110 ) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system ( 100 ), comprising a RF receive coil ( 114 ), a plug ( 112 ) for connecting the RF receive coil ( 114 ) to the MR imaging system ( 100 ), sensing means ( 118 ) for sensing the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system ( 100 ), detecting means ( 119 ) for detecting if the plug ( 112 ) is connected to the MR imaging system ( 100 ), and a warning means ( 120, 122 ) for generating a warning when the sensing means ( 118 ) sense the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system ( 100 ) and the detecting means ( 119 ) detect that the plug ( 112 ) is not connected to the MR imaging system ( 100 ).

First claim

1 . A radio frequency (RF) receive coil device for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, comprising
a RF receive coil, a plug for connecting the RF receive coil to the MR imaging system, sensing means for sensing the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system's main magnet, detecting means for detecting if the plug is connected to the MR imaging system, and a warning means for generating a warning when the sensing means sense the presence of the MR imaging system's main magnet's static magnetic field and the detecting means detect that the plug is not connected to the MR imaging system.

2 . The RF receive coil device according to preceding claim 1 , wherein
the sensing means for sensing the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system's main magnet comprise a magnet sensor.

3 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein
the detecting means for detecting if the plug is connected to the MR imaging system comprise voltage detection means for detecting a voltage provided via the plug when connected to the socket of the MR imaging system.

4 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein
the warning means for generating a warning comprises an optical warning unit.

5 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein
the warning means for generating a warning comprises an acoustic warning unit for generating an acoustic warning.

6 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein the warning means for generating a warning comprises an wireless transmission device for transmitting a warning message.

7 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein the RF receive coil device comprises an energy storage unit for providing energy for operation of at least one of the sensing means, the detecting means, and the warning means.

8 . The RF receive coil device according to preceding claim 7 , wherein the energy storage unit comprises a battery.

9 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein the RF receive coil device comprises an energy harvesting unit for harvesting energy when entered into the MR imaging system, in particular into the MR imaging system's bore for operation of the sensing means, the detecting means, and the warning means.

10 . The RF receive coil device according to preceding claim 9 , wherein the energy harvesting unit for harvesting energy when entered into the MR imaging system comprises at least one induction coil for generating an electric current when a changing magnetic field is applied, and a rectifier or rectifying the electric current generated by the induction coil.

11 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 10 , wherein the energy harvesting unit for harvesting energy when entered into the MR imaging system comprises at least two induction coils for generating an electric current when a changing magnetic field is applied, and at least two rectifiers, one rectifier for rectifying the electric current generated by each of the induction coils, whereby the at least two induction coils are arranged essentially orthogonal to each other.

12 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 9 , wherein the energy harvesting unit is connected to the energy storage unit for storing harvested energy, and the the sensing means, the detecting means, and the warning means are operated from the harvested energy stored in the energy storage unit.

13 . The RF receive coil device according to claim 1 , wherein the RF receive coil device comprises a deactivation circuit for deactivating the sensing means, the detecting means, and the warning means during normal operation and storage.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Fuderer Miha
• Van Eggermond Johannes Matia

Classifications

• G01R33/24

  for measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux · CPC title

• G01R33/36

  Electrical details, e.g. matching or coupling of the coil to the receiver · CPC title

• G01R33/341

  comprising surface coils · CPC title

• G01R33/288 Primary

  Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room · CPC title

• G01R33/3692

  involving signal transmission without using electrically conductive connections, e.g. wireless communication or optical communication of the MR signal or an auxiliary signal other than the MR signal · CPC title