CN218391085U

CN218391085U - Coil device and accommodating bag for coil device

Info

Publication number: CN218391085U
Application number: CN202220633876.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.利希; B.克劳斯; G.索尔默
Original assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
Current assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
Priority date: 2021-03-25
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2023-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-22
Also published as: DE102021202912A1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a coil device and be used for coil device's bag that holds for imaging formula check out test set, check out test set is used for confirming the structure of material, especially organic tissue, the coil device has: -a coil body having a coil consisting of electrical conductors and coil connection leads electrically coupled to the coil for connecting the coil to an examination apparatus, and-a receiving bag having a receiving opening and a receiving region connected to the receiving opening for receiving the coil body, the receiving bag having an outer bag and an inner bag arranged in the outer bag, the outer bag and the inner bag being connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner along the connecting region, a sterile clean region being provided between the outer bag and the inner bag. The utility model discloses still relate to a bag that holds that is used for coil device.

Description

Coil device and accommodating bag for coil device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a coil arrangement for an imaging examination apparatus for determining the structure of a substance, in particular of an organic tissue. The utility model discloses also relate to a bag that holds for coil device.

Background

Methods for providing a coil arrangement for an imaging examination apparatus, a coil arrangement for an imaging examination apparatus and a receiving bag are in principle widely known from the prior art, so that in connection therewith no separate patent literature evidence needs to be provided for this purpose. Imaging examination apparatuses are used not only, but in particular, in medical diagnostics in order to be able to determine the structure of organic tissue, for example, a living being, as non-invasively as possible. Imaging examination devices use for this purpose primarily magnetic resonance tomography (MRT, MRI), for example. Magnetic resonance tomography is particularly a clinically important medical imaging method, since it enables a very detailed anatomy in tissue, especially in soft tissue regions, to be determined in a non-invasive manner. Furthermore, magnetic resonance tomography is of course also used for other, in particular industrial, applications if it is concerned that the material structure can be determined non-invasively. The nature of magnetic resonance tomography makes it an important instrument.

In magnetic resonance tomography, the excited atomic nuclei in the region to be examined emit electromagnetic signals of high frequency upon relaxation, which can be received by means of one or more electrical coils. To this end, at least one electrical coil has one or more electrical conductors. At the conductor end, a corresponding electrical signal can then be provided, which can be fed to an evaluation device. The magnetic resonance signals of the nuclei generate induced voltages in at least one coil. Since these resonance signals have a very low signal level, it is advantageous to arrange at least one coil as close as possible to the region to be examined. In medical examinations, this coil can be arranged, for example, directly on the patient or on a body part of the patient that needs to be examined specifically. Therefore, such coils are also called local coils (English: local coil).

Local coils generally refer to coils surrounded by a portable coil body. In addition to the coil formed from the electrical conductor, the coil body usually has a connecting line which is electrically coupled to the coil and is used to connect the coil to an examination device. In this way, it is possible to position the coil in a relatively large area in relation to the line length of the coil connecting lines in or on the region to be examined, in order to be able to ensure the best possible reception of the resonance signals. Such a local coil is known, for example, from DE 10 2016 222 635 A1 and also from DE 21 2011 100 047 U1.

It is desirable not only in the medical field, but also in certain industrial applications, if not completely avoided, to keep contamination of the object or patient to be examined with foreign particles, bacteria and/or similar materials as low as possible. In particular with regard to the increase in interventional procedures in the case of magnetic resonance tomography, therefore, problems increasingly arise with regard to the low sterility or sterility of the receiving coils or local coils used. It has been found that conventional methods for reducing the bacterial load or for producing sterility generally have only inadequate access to the local coil itself, and that, as a rule, the electronic components integrated in the coil arrangement, which are exposed to thermal stress to a very limited extent, are also frequently used.

However, the material properties or surface structure of the local coil may also cause problems in surface treatment, for example after liver intervention on a hepatitis carrier and/or the like, after blood contamination. Furthermore, local coils usually also have additional special elements or navigation grids for carrying out interventions, which can only be conditionally protected against contact with the wound or the surgical site or the intervention site, but are likewise designed to be reusable. In particular, in medical applications, there are applications in which, for example, in the case of burns or skin grafts, large wounds are present, which may also be in contact with conventional local coils over a large area. The local coil surface can be contaminated accordingly by exudates.

Since local coils are system-specific and costly elements of an imaging examination apparatus, these local coils can only be present a limited number of times. Such contamination of the local coil can then lead to an inability to use for a limited period of time, which can negatively affect the usability of the imaging examination apparatus. It may be necessary to sterilize the local coil in a time-consuming manner, which may likewise lead to a corresponding expenditure of time and costs.

It is therefore already common in the prior art to cover or wind the local coil with a sterile surgical drape in order to prevent bacterial loads. However, only a partial reduction in bacteria is achieved in this way. Furthermore, this method has proven to be very time-consuming and laborious, in particular if the surgical covering needs to be removed and replaced again after a single use of the respective local coil.

The sterile covering by a surgical drape in a local coil for interventional assistance is not feasible in practice in combination with the above-described manner, since the local coil is covered by material. Such an arrangement is cumbersome or, in particular, risks inadvertent contamination by manipulation or displacement of the local coil and the covering during long-term examinations or operations.

It is of course also possible to use holders for the local coil which are able to avoid direct contact with the object to be examined, for example a patient surface or the like. However, the resulting distance not only leads to more unfavorable reception characteristics, but also the accessibility to the operating area. Furthermore, such devices are not well suited for integrating navigation grids (english) and the like.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The technical problem to be solved of the present invention is to improve the use of local coils in an imaging type inspection apparatus.

The technical problem is solved according to the invention by a method, a coil arrangement and a receiving bag.

In a method aspect of the type according to the invention, a method is proposed in particular by the invention with the following steps:

inserting a coil body having a coil consisting of electrical conductors and coil connecting leads electrically coupled to the coil for connecting the coil to an examination apparatus into a receiving bag having a receiving opening and a receiving region connected to the receiving opening for receiving the coil body, wherein the receiving bag has an outer bag and an inner bag arranged therein, wherein the outer bag and the inner bag are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner along the connecting region, wherein a sterile clean region is provided between the outer bag and the inner bag,

-at least partially closing the accommodation opening,

-at least partially unraveling the outer bag at its line of separation (trennlienie), and

-at least partially exposing the outside of the inner bag.

In a coil arrangement of the type according to the invention, a coil arrangement is proposed, in particular, by the invention having:

a coil body having a coil composed of an electrical conductor and a coil connecting line electrically coupled to the coil for connecting the coil to an examination device, and

a receiving bag having a receiving opening and a receiving region connected to the receiving opening for receiving the coil former, wherein the receiving bag has an outer bag and an inner bag arranged therein, wherein the outer bag and the inner bag are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner along the connecting region, wherein a sterile clean region is provided between the outer bag and the inner bag.

In terms of a receiving bag, the invention proposes, inter alia, a receiving bag for a coil arrangement according to the invention, wherein the coil arrangement has a coil former with a coil consisting of electrical conductors and a coil connecting line which is electrically coupled to the coil and is used for connecting the coil to an imaging examination apparatus, wherein the receiving bag has a receiving opening and a receiving region for receiving the coil former, which receiving region is connected to the receiving opening, wherein the receiving bag has an outer bag and an inner bag arranged therein, wherein the outer bag and the inner bag are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner along the connecting region, wherein a sterile clean region is provided between the outer bag and the inner bag.

The invention is based primarily on the idea that, by using a receiving bag which is in principle double-walled, on the one hand the load of the bacteria on the local coil can be reduced in the use according to the regulations, and on the other hand the introduction of the bacteria into the region to be examined through the local coil is avoided to a large extent. For this purpose, a coil body is provided, which has a coil made of an electrical conductor and a coil connecting line electrically coupled to the coil for connecting the coil to an examination apparatus, wherein this coil body can be inserted into the receiving region through the receiving opening of the receiving pocket, so that the coil body is positioned inside an inner pocket arranged in the outer pocket. The receiving opening can then be at least partially closed. By detaching the outer bag at its separation line, the inner bag, in particular the outside of the inner bag, can be exposed. Since the outer side of the inner bag is directed towards a clean or low-bacteria area, the surface provided here is now also at least low-bacteria. For example, the inner bag may be at least partially or even completely removed from the outer bag such that the inner bag, in particular its outer side, is completely exposed. For example, the outer bag may be disposed of or may also be disposed of in a recycling cycle for reuse.

Furthermore, provision can be made for the outer bag to be turned inside out, so that the outer bag is turned outside out, so that the outside of the inner bag is at least partially exposed. The low-sterile or aseptic sides of the outer and inner bags are thus now substantially outwardly available.

Overall, the receiving bag can on the one hand prevent bacteria from entering the region to be examined through the coil and at the same time can, if not even be largely reduced, by the low-bacteria or sterile surface of the respective side of the inner or outer bag. Therefore, the utility model discloses can avoid at to a great extent with the mutual contamination of bacterium with relatively simple mode, and need not to carry out the processing that consumes to local coil.

After the end of the examination, the outer bag can be folded back to some extent and the coil can be removed from the receiving bag after opening the receiving opening, so that the receiving bag only has to be removed as a disposable part. The local coil can then likewise be inserted again into a new receiving pocket and guided according to the above-described method of use and reused in the scope of the examination. This can be achieved with less time and material and cost expenditure, so that a significant improvement over the prior art can be achieved. The use of an imaging examination apparatus can therefore be significantly improved by the invention.

Accordingly, a low-bacteria or bacteria-free (keimfrei) or sterile coil arrangement can be provided in a simple manner, which allows a high frequency of use by corresponding exchange of the receiving bag. The number of coil formers or local coils to be provided can thereby be significantly reduced, since costly processing methods for producing low bacteria can be largely avoided. Of course, this is also advantageous for the coil body or the local coil itself, since the coil body or the local coil does not have to be subjected to a process of partial material loss at all times or not at all.

With regard to the receiving bag it should be noted that the receiving bag can be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner. Preferably, the receiving region of the receiving pocket is designed to be adapted to the coil body like the receiving opening. For this purpose, the receiving bag or the outer and inner bag may be made of a suitable material, such as plastic, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or the like. A sterile clean area is formed between the outer bag and the inner bag, which is fluid-tightly closed in the storage state with respect to the surroundings.

The clean area may be designed to be low-or non-sterile or sterile. For this purpose, the respective sides of the inner and outer bag may be treated accordingly when manufacturing the receiving bag. By means of the fluid-tight closure, it is possible to achieve a substantially free penetration of bacteria from the surroundings into the clean area.

The coil body and preferably also the coil arrangement are movable, for example portable elements. For example, as disclosed in DE 10 2016 222 635 A1, the coil body or the coil arrangement can be adapted to the specific arrangement used for the examination. In principle, however, the coil body or the coil arrangement can also be arranged statically, for example in such a way that the coil arrangement or the coil body is fixedly connected to the examination device. However, the coil body or the coil arrangement can preferably be electrically coupled to the examination apparatus via a coil connecting line. The electrical connection can be designed as a fixed electrical connection. However, the electrical connection is preferably designed as a detachable electrical connection, so that different coil arrangements or coil bodies can be electrically coupled to the examination apparatus, preferably depending on the region to be examined or the type of examination. This enables the imaging examination device to be adapted specifically to the respective region to be examined, in order to be able to determine in this way, preferably three-dimensionally, as detailed an image of the region to be examined as possible.

For this purpose, the examination apparatus has a corresponding evaluation unit, which may comprise a program-controlled computer unit, by means of which the evaluation of the electrical signals provided by the coil arrangement or the coil body can be carried out.

In the present disclosure, fluid-tight means that bacterial ingress is greatly reduced. Preferably, fluid-tight means that the invasion of bacteria is completely eliminated. Fluid-tight also means that the passage of fluids, such as gases and/or liquids, is substantially prevented, preferably completely eliminated.

The closing of the receiving opening can be carried out by suitable mechanical means, for example by connecting the opposite edges of the receiving opening to one another, for example by mechanical connecting means, by adhesive and/or the like. The receiving opening is preferably completely closed. It can be provided particularly advantageously that the closure of the receiving opening is realized in a fluid-tight manner. For mechanically closing the receiving opening, for example, clamps, clips, rivets, punches (Stanzen) and/or the like can be provided. Furthermore, the closure can also be achieved by folding, embossing or the like. Of course, the abovementioned possibilities can also be combined with one another.

In particular, it can advantageously be provided that the air is at least partially evacuated from the receiving space before the receiving opening is closed. This can be achieved, for example, by exerting forces directed in opposite directions on opposite points of the outer side of the outer bag and thus compressing the receiving space. Furthermore, it can of course also be provided that air is at least partially removed from the receiving space by means of a suitable air suction device and the receiving space is then at least partially closed. The volume of the coil arrangement as a whole can thereby also be reduced, so that a compact coil arrangement can be achieved which, despite having a receiving pocket, does not have to significantly exceed the dimensions of the coil body. The invention is thus of course also particularly suitable for medical diagnostics and for specific industrial applications where space conditions are narrow.

The connecting region connects the inner bag with the outer bag in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, it can be provided that the connecting region is designed between the inner side of the outer bag and the outer side of the inner bag, preferably in the region of the receiving opening. At the same time, the connecting region can also be an outward opening of the receiving opening, through which the receiving space of the receiving bag can be accessed. For example, the connection region can be an edge of the receiving opening. The connection region can be designed, for example, circumferentially around the receiving opening.

It is furthermore proposed that the coil arrangement is in a storage state, in which the receiving opening is closed. The coil arrangement can thus be temporarily stored until a corresponding examination is to be carried out, for further use in conjunction with an imaging examination apparatus. This is advantageous, for example, if the imaging examination device is to be used for a plurality of examinations that follow one another directly. In this case, it is advantageous, in particular in the field of medical technology, for example, to have available for the respective patient the current coil arrangement in the stored state for the examination, so that the imaging examination apparatus can be adapted to the respective new examination with the least possible time consumption. In the storage state, the receiving opening is closed, so that subsequent examinations can be carried out with little effort by electrically coupling the coil arrangement to an imaging examination device via the coil connecting line and by performing further operations on the coil arrangement, in particular the receiving bag, in order to establish a use state of the coil arrangement for the respective examination.

It is furthermore proposed that the coil arrangement is in a use state in which the outer bag is at least partially detached at the separation line, wherein the outer side of the inner bag is at least partially exposed. Preferably, the outer side of the inner bag is completely exposed. If the separating line is provided in the region of the receiving opening, it can be provided that the inner bag is pulled out of the outer bag. Here, the inner bag may be completely separated from the outer bag. It can also be provided that the outer bag is turned inside out so that the outside of the inner bag is at least partially exposed.

The separation line is a line designed into the outer bag. The separation line can be, for example, a stamp, a wall thickness reduction, or the like, which is substantially fluid-tight in the non-detached state. The detachment along the detachment line may be performed completely or at least partially, so that the inner side of the outer bag may be turned at least partially outwards, or the inner bag may be pulled out of the outer bag. Preferably completely along the line of separation. This makes it possible, for example, to specify by means of the length of the separating line how far the separating line is to be separated by the operator, so that the operator can operate the separating line as advantageously and simply as possible. The detached separation line allows the inside of the outer bag to be turned outwards such that the outside of the inner bag is at least partially exposed. Preferably, the outer side of the inner bag is completely exposed. It is thereby achieved that the receiving bag now provides an essentially bacteria-free surface to the outside, so that the object to be examined, for example a patient, is exposed to as little as possible to foreign bacteria. At the same time, the receiving bag in this state can protect the coil body from bacteria of the object to be examined or of the patient.

The materials for the inner and outer pockets are preferably selected such that the receiving properties of the coil body are substantially unaffected. This is preferably a material with as low a permeability and/or a dielectric permeability as possible.

Thus, the invention makes it possible, for example, to expose the inner bag by folding the outer bag and thus to provide a substantially sterile or aseptic area or surface to the outside.

It is furthermore proposed that the inner bag has at least one connecting element on the inner side for mechanically connecting the coil arrangement to the inner bag. The connecting element can fix the coil former or the coil arrangement in a predetermined position or position in the receiving region of the receiving pocket. The connecting element may for example be a mechanical connecting element which is fixedly connected with the inside of the inner bag. The connecting element can be designed, for example, in one piece with the inner bag. The connecting element can be, for example, an insertion element, a receiving element, an adhesive and/or the like. The coil arrangement or the coil former preferably has corresponding mating elements which are designed to be adapted to the connection elements, so that a good mechanical connection can be achieved. Of course, this extended design is not limited to the use of only a single connecting element. For example, it is also possible to provide opposing connection elements in the receiving region, which are connected to one another after insertion of the coil arrangement or coil former, for example in such a way that opposing forces are exerted on the connection elements, so that the connection elements are connected to one another, for example by latching or clamping or the like. The at least one connection element can be detachably connected to the coil arrangement or the coil body. The connection can also be designed to be detachable if there are a plurality of connecting elements which can be connected to one another. The at least one connecting element can of course also be designed to be adapted to the contour of the coil arrangement or of the coil body, so that, for example, a corresponding mechanical connection can be realized only by means of a single connecting element. In principle, however, it is also possible to provide a plurality of connecting elements in such a way that they can be connected to the coil arrangement or the coil former at different points of the coil arrangement or the coil former, for example by latching or clamping or the like.

In principle, the parting line can of course be designed in the region of the receiving opening. In this case, the separating line can directly adjoin the receiving opening. The separation line enables access to the low-germ part of the bag. In addition to the stamp, the separating line can also be formed solely by the marking or by a combination of the stamp and the marking, which can be detached, for example, by means of a suitable tool or the like. Of course, it is also possible to provide an actuating element on the parting line, which effects the parting at the parting line. For example, a tear line or the like can be integrated in the region of the separation line, which tear line projects at one point from the outer bag and can be manually actuated in order to detach the outer bag at the separation line. Other designs or combinations may also be specified.

It is furthermore proposed that the outer bag has a separation line which is arranged at a distance from the receiving opening, in particular at the furthest distance, and at which the outer bag can be at least partially detached. It is thereby possible, for example, to expose the outside of the inner bag by pulling the outer bag over the (St lupen) inner bag, so that a substantially sterile or aseptic outer surface can be provided. For this purpose, the separating line is arranged at a distance from the receiving opening, preferably at the furthest distance from the receiving opening, so that starting from the separating line, by opening the outer bag, the receiving opening can at the same time also be surrounded by the outer side of the outer bag, and the inner side of the outer bag and the outer side of the inner bag can together provide a substantially sterile or aseptic surface.

It is furthermore proposed that the inner bag has a bag wall, wherein the bag wall is at least partially formed from a flexible and/or elastic material. For example, plastic, in particular polyurethane, rubber and/or the like, can be used as material for the outer bag and/or the inner bag. The material may include polyurethane, polyethylene, or the like, for example. The outer bag and the inner bag may be made of the same material. However, the outer bag and the inner bag may be made of different materials, as desired. The inner bag is preferably designed to be thin-walled, so that the inner bag can be formed by a membrane made of the above-mentioned material. In principle, this embodiment can also be provided for an outer bag. For example, the inner and outer bags may be formed of the same material or materials. However, the materials or materials of the inner and outer bags may be different from each other, as desired.

It is furthermore proposed that the inner bag has a bag wall, wherein the bag wall has a layer structure at least in some regions, wherein the layer structure has at least two layers which are connected to one another and are made of different materials from one another. For example, the layer structure can be adapted or adapted in such a way that the intermediate region between the inner and outer pockets can reliably provide a clean area and at the same time at least the inner pocket, in particular in the region of the receiving opening and/or the receiving region, provides a suitable surface structure which makes it easier to insert or remove the coil body. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the surface of the inner side of the inner bag provides a special sliding capability to make the insertion of the coil body easier. Thus, for example, the outer layer of the side wall of the inner bag can be designed accordingly. The inner layer of the side wall of the inner bag may for example have a certain strength, so that when using the coil arrangement, as strong a coil arrangement as possible can be achieved, which in a regular use avoids damage that may lead to loss of clean area. For example, the inner coating may be formed from a particularly tough material, such as Kevlar (Kevlar) or the like. Of course, such considerations apply equally to the outer bag, the side walls of which may of course also have a layer structure. However, the layer structure may be chosen to be adapted to the specific requirements for the outer bag, and thus the layer structure of the outer bag may be different from the layer structure of the inner bag. However, the layer structure of the inner bag and the layer structure of the outer bag may also be designed substantially identically, for example.

The receiving bag preferably has at least one tab projecting outwards in the region of the receiving opening. The webs can be positioned and/or held as advantageously as possible in the receiving openings for inserting the coil body. For example, the receiving opening can also be kept sufficiently open to enable insertion of the coil body into the receiving pocket or the receiving region. It is particularly advantageous if opposing tabs can be provided in the region of the receiving opening, which tabs can be actuated manually or by machine.

Furthermore, a connecting element can be provided for connecting the at least one web across the receiving opening to an opposite region of the receiving bag. The closing of the receiving opening can thus be achieved at least partially by means of the connecting element. The connecting element is preferably arranged on and/or formed by the web. The connecting element can be formed, for example, by an adhesive, a clip or the like, which is preferably arranged on the tab or can be connected integrally with the tab. In this way, a reliable closure of the receiving bag in the region of the receiving opening can be achieved. No separate component has to be handled, whereby the use of the coil arrangement can be further improved.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the coil arrangement has an air suction connection piece which can be connected to an air suction device, wherein the air suction connection piece projects with a first end into the receiving region. The air suction connection piece can have a second end, which can be connected in a fluid-tight manner to the air suction device. This connection is preferably detachable. The air suction nozzle can have a through-opening designed in the longitudinal direction, through which air can be drawn out of the receiving region. The air suction connection can be provided as a separate component in the region of the receiving opening. The air suction connection is preferably designed in one piece with the receiving bag. The air suction nozzle can be formed from the same material as the receiving bag. Furthermore, the air suction connection piece can of course also be made of other suitable materials, wherein the materials are selected such that the function of the coil body is not substantially affected. For example, the air suction connection can be formed from plastic, for example rubber, like the inner bag and the outer bag.

Particularly advantageously, the air suction connector has a closure element for the fluid-tight closure of the air suction connector. The closure element can be designed, for example, as a valve which can be operated manually, mechanically or electrically. The closure element thus makes it possible to largely prevent air from flowing back from the outside through the air suction connection after the air has been drawn out of the receiving space.

The advantages, effects and embodiments described for the method according to the invention and the coil arrangement according to the invention are of course also equally applicable for the receiving bag according to the invention and vice versa. In particular the use of the receiving bag is not limited to the arrangement of the coil arrangement. In principle, the receiving bag can of course also be used for receiving other devices or components, such as a tablet computer, a mobile radio device and/or the like. However, this is not important for the function of the invention. In contrast, the receiving bag is suitably designed with regard to its geometry, its coil arrangement or the device to be received or the component to be received. The receiving pocket is designed in particular such that the coil arrangement or the device to be received or the component to be received can be inserted reliably through the receiving opening into the receiving space.

It is also proposed that the coil body has at least one navigation element. The navigation element may be used to determine one or more positions in the data determined by the examination device. Accordingly, the navigation element preferably has at least in part a material that can be easily detected by the examination device, in particular during the performance of the examination. The relative position of the local coil with respect to the region to be examined can thus be determined, for example. The position data corresponding to this position may be combined with the determined image data of the examination apparatus. The navigation elements can be designed, for example, as grids or beads or the like. The navigation element is preferably detachably connectable to the coil body. The advantages and effects mentioned in connection with the coil former can also be achieved with the aid of the invention for the navigation element. The navigation element can be connected to the coil body, for example, by means of latching elements, clamping elements or separate connecting elements. These elements can also be designed, for example, at least partially in one piece with the navigation element and/or the coil former.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and those mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures individually can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Drawings

The examples set forth below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. The features and combinations of features specified above in the description and also features and combinations of features mentioned in the following description of embodiments and/or shown in the drawings can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations. Therefore, the following embodiments, which are not explicitly shown in the drawings and are not explicitly illustrated and described, but which are indicated by individual combinations of features in the illustrated embodiments and can be produced, are also included in the present invention or are to be regarded as disclosed. The features, functions and/or effects shown in the exemplary embodiments may each represent individual features, functions and/or effects of the invention which can be considered independently of one another, and which may also each be used independently of one another to expand the invention. Accordingly, embodiments should also include other combinations than those set forth in the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the described embodiments may also be supplemented by other features, functions and/or effects of the invention which have been described.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an MRT apparatus as an imaging examination apparatus;

fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a coil body as a local coil of the MRT device according to fig. 1;

fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a coil body according to fig. 2 for fastening a navigation grid;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the navigation grid arranged on the coil body according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the connection of the navigation grid to the latch frame according to FIGS. 3 and 4;

fig. 6 shows a schematic top view of a receiving pocket for receiving the coil body according to fig. 2 to 5;

fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the receiving bag according to fig. 6;

fig. 8 shows a schematic top view of the region VIII in fig. 7, in which the coil body with the navigation grid is pushed into the connecting element of the receiving bag;

fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the insertion of the coil body into the receiving pocket;

fig. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the coil body inserted into the receiving pocket;

fig. 11 shows a schematic partial view in plan view in the region of the receiving opening according to fig. 10;

fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a coil arrangement, wherein the coil body is arranged within the receiving pocket; and is provided with

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view, in which the outer receiving bag is opened along the separating line and the inner bag is pulled out through the opening thus formed.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an imaging examination apparatus 70 in the form of a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus in a partially cut-away schematic illustration. The examination apparatus 70 has a magnet unit 72, which magnet unit 72 itself has a main magnet 74 for generating a substantially temporally constant main magnetic field 76. Furthermore, the examination apparatus 70 comprises a patient accommodation area 78 for accommodating a patient 80. The examination apparatus 70 is therefore used in the present case for medical diagnosis.

In the present case, the patient receiving region 78 is substantially cylindrical in design and is surrounded in the circumferential direction by the magnet unit 72. As can be seen from fig. 1, a patient 80 is arranged on a patient support 82. A patient 80 can be pushed into the patient receiving area 78 by means of a patient support 82. For this purpose, the patient support 82 is designed to be substantially horizontally movable. The magnet unit 72 is shielded from the outside by a housing partition 84.

The magnet unit 72 also has a gradient coil unit 86 for providing magnetic field gradients and which can be used for position encoding during the performance of the examination. The gradient coil unit 86 is controlled by a gradient control unit 88 of the examination apparatus 70.

The magnet unit 72 also has a high-frequency antenna unit 90, which high-frequency antenna unit 90 is designed in the present exemplary embodiment as a body coil that is fixedly integrated into the examination apparatus 70. The high-frequency antenna unit 90 is designed for excitation of the nuclei, which occurs in the main magnetic field 76 generated by the main magnet 74.

The high-frequency antenna unit 90 is controlled by a high-frequency antenna control unit 92 of the examination apparatus 70 and supplies a high-frequency alternating field into the region to be examined, which is essentially formed by the patient receiving region 78 of the examination apparatus 70. The high-frequency antenna unit 90 is also designed for receiving magnetic resonance signals.

For controlling the main magnet 74, the gradient control unit 88 and the high-frequency antenna control unit 92, the examination apparatus 70 has a system control unit 94. The system control unit 96 controls the functions of the examination apparatus 70, in particular the execution of a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. Furthermore, the system control unit 94 has an analysis unit, not shown in detail, for analyzing the image data obtained in this way in order to enable a medical diagnosis.

Furthermore, the examination apparatus 70 comprises a user interface which itself has a display unit 96 and an input unit 98, which are each communicatively coupled to the system control unit 94. Control information such as imaging parameters, reconstructed magnetic resonance images and/or the like may be visually displayed on the display unit 96 so that they may be visually understood by an operator. Using the input unit 98, data, such as parameters and the like, can be input by an operator during the examination process. The function of the inspection device is basically described in DE 10 2016 222 635 A1, so that reference can be made additionally to the description relating thereto. The disclosure range of DE 10 2016 222 635 A1 should be considered to be included in the present disclosure in particular.

A coil arrangement 10 as a local coil is positioned on the patient 80, said local coil being connected to a high-frequency antenna control unit 92 via a coil connecting line 14.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective representation of the coil body 12 of the coil arrangement 10 according to fig. 1, fig. 1 showing a local coil of an MRT system 70. The coil body 12 comprises a coil 20 (see fig. 3) having an electrical conductor, not shown, wound in a plurality of turns on a coil receptacle. Depending on the design, a plurality of electrical conductors may also be provided.

Furthermore, the coil former 12 may also have evaluation electronics for evaluating signals received by the coil former 12. However, this is not shown in the drawings. The coil former 12 has a coil connecting line 14, by means of which coil connecting line 14 the coil former 12 and thus its coil 20 can be connected to the MRT system 70. This connection is formed detachably by a suitable plug connection, so that the coil body 12 can be replaced if required.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the coil body 12 according to fig. 2, wherein a navigation grid 18 is arranged on the coil body 12, which has an inner through-opening of substantially rectangular design. Navigation grid 18 and its function are well known to those skilled in the art, and further explanation related thereto is omitted here.

Fig. 4 shows in a schematic sectional view how the navigation grid 18 is arranged on the coil body 12 or on a coil 20 enclosed by the coil body 12. The navigation grid 18 has structures protruding through the through holes of the coil body 12, which have inward protruding portions, respectively. In the present case, the catch hook 52 is designed in one piece with the navigation grid 18. The projections are designed at their respective ends opposite the navigation grid 18.

The latching hook 52 is used for connection to a latching frame 54, which latching frame 54 has a guide frame 68 (see fig. 5). The guide frame 68 is used for connection with the latching hook 52, for which purpose the latching hook 52 can be latched from the outside into the guide frame 68. For this purpose, the guide frame 68 may have a corresponding recess or opening or latching groove. The

directional arrows

58, 60 indicate the direction of movement in which the navigation grid 18 and the catch frame 54 can be moved toward one another in order to connect them to one another.

Fig. 5 also shows that the latching frame 54 has an outwardly projecting connecting edge 56, which will be explained in more detail below.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic top view of a receiving pocket 16 for the coil arrangement 10, the coil arrangement 10 also comprising this receiving pocket 16 in addition to the coil former 12. The receiving pocket 16 has a receiving opening 22, through which receiving opening 22 the coil former 12, if appropriate the navigation grid 18 and the latch frame 54 can be inserted into the receiving region 24 of the receiving pocket 16. In the present case, the receiving region 24 is connected substantially directly to the receiving opening 22. The receiving region 24 therefore opens into the receiving opening 22. The receiving region 24 serves to receive the coil former 12.

The receiving bag 16 has an outer bag 26 and an inner bag 28 disposed within the outer bag 26. The outer bag 26 and the inner bag 28 are fluid-tightly connected to each other along a connection region 30. In the present case, the connection region 30 is designed in the region of the receiving opening 22 in a surrounding manner. A sterile clean area 32 is provided between the outer bag 26 and the inner bag 28. The clean area is preferably designed to be substantially sterile or aseptic (see fig. 6).

Fig. 6 also shows that two oppositely extending, outwardly projecting webs 44 are formed in the region of the receiving opening 22. The tabs 44 are adapted to be connected opposite one another so that opposing regions of the receiving bag 16 can be interconnected across the receiving opening 22. For this purpose, an adhesive is arranged on the inside of the respective surface of one respective tab 44. The adhesive is covered by a passivation strip. However, this is not shown in the drawings. Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the receiving bag 16 according to fig. 6.

As can also be seen from fig. 7, the inner bag 28 has a connecting element 42 on the inner side 40 in the lower region, which serves to mechanically connect the coil former 12 arranged in the receiving region 24 to the inner bag 28. In the present case, the connecting element 42 is designed only on a single side of the inner side 40.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged plan view of the region VIII in fig. 7. As can be seen from fig. 8, the connecting element 42 is designed in the form of a frame rail, into which the connecting edge 56 of the latch frame 54 can be inserted before being connected to the navigation grid 18 and the coil former 12. Fig. 8 schematically shows the insertion of the connecting edge 56 into the connecting element 42.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view schematically how the latching frame 54 is fastened to the connecting element 42 by means of a connecting edge 56. The coil former 12 with the navigation grid 18 is then inserted through the receiving opening 22 into the receiving region 24 of the receiving pocket 16. Fig. 10 shows this in a schematic sectional view, wherein the coil former 12 has been inserted here through the navigation grid 18. The coil former 12 is arranged in a corresponding manner above the latching frame 54 by means of the navigation grid 18.

In the present case, pressure is then applied manually from the outside to the coil former 12, on the one hand via the navigation grid 18 and on the other hand via the connecting element 42 with the latching frame 54, so that the latching hook 52 latches in the guide frame 68 and thus a fixed connection is established. The coil body 12 with the coil 20 is now arranged fixedly in this way in the receiving space 24 of the receiving pocket 16. In this case, the force is applied manually from the outside via the outside of the outer bag 26, which at the same time forms the outside of the receiving bag 16, as well as the outside of the outer bag 26.

As can also be seen from fig. 10, the coil connecting lead 14 projects further through the receiving opening 22. The cover element on the tab 44 is now removed and the receiving opening 22 is closed using additional adhesive 62. Only an air suction connection 48 now projects from the receiving bag 16, said air suction connection being fluidically connected to the receiving space 24. An air suction device for drawing air out of the receiving space 24 can be connected to the air suction connection 48. However, this is not shown in the drawings.

Fig. 11 shows the closed state of the receiving opening 22, with the closure plug 50 inserted as a closure element into the air suction connection piece 48. The air suction connection 48 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by a closure plug 50. The coil arrangement 10 produced in this way is shown in a schematic sectional view in fig. 12.

As can also be seen from fig. 7, the receiving bag 16 has an outer bag 26, said outer bag 26 having an outer side corresponding to the outer side of the receiving bag 16 and said outer bag having an inner side 36 facing the clean area 32. Furthermore, the inner bag 28 has an outer side 38, which outer side 38 faces the inner side 36 of the outer bag 26, i.e. faces the clean area. The inner bag 28 also includes an inner side 40 that defines the containment region 24. Fig. 11 and 12 show a storage state in which the coil arrangement can be temporarily stored until it is used as intended.

Fig. 13 now shows the use state, i.e. how the coil arrangement 10 shown in fig. 12 can be prepared for use during an examination. For this purpose, it is provided that the outer bag 26 is completely separated in the present case at the separation line 34 of the outer bag 26. In the present case, the separating line 34 is designed to surround the receiving opening 22. The inner bag 28 can thus be led out of the outer bag 26, so that the coil arrangement 10 now has only the inner bag 28, the outer side 38 of which is led out of the clean area and is therefore available in a sterile manner.

In an alternative embodiment, however, it can also be provided that, in contrast to the embodiment according to fig. 13, the separating line 34 is not designed around the receiving opening 22, but is arranged, for example, at the maximally opposite end with respect to the receiving opening 22, so that by turning the inner side 36 of the outer bag 26 outward, it is possible to at least partially expose the outer side 38 of the inner bag 28. The outer bag 26 can thus be rolled up around in the direction of the coil connecting leads 14, so that a complete surface can also be provided with low bacteria. The outer bag 26 can be used here to perform an additional covering function in conjunction with the webs 44 and the coil connecting leads 14 in the region of the receiving opening 22.

As can be seen from fig. 13, in the region of the separation line 34 a tear line 64 is arranged, which can be operated manually or by means of a tool or by means of a machine in order to separate the inner bag 28 and the outer bag 26 from each other in the region of the separation line 34.

The examples are only intended to illustrate the invention and should not be taken as limiting the invention.

Claims

1. A coil arrangement (10) for an imaging examination apparatus (70) for determining a structure of a substance, the coil arrangement having:

a coil body (12) having a coil (20) composed of an electrical conductor and a coil connecting line (14) electrically coupled to the coil (20) for connecting the coil to an examination device (70), and

-a receiving bag (16) having a receiving opening (22) and a receiving region (24) connected to the receiving opening (22) for receiving the coil former (12), wherein the receiving bag (16) has an outer bag (26) and an inner bag (28) arranged in the outer bag (26), wherein the outer bag (26) and the inner bag (28) are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner along a connecting region (30), wherein a sterile clean region (32) is provided between the outer bag (26) and the inner bag (28).

2. The coil arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coil arrangement (10) is in a storage state, in which the receiving opening (22) is closed.

3. A coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil arrangement (10) is in a use state in which the outer bag (26) is at least partially detached at the detachment line (34), wherein the outer side (38) of the inner bag (28) is at least partially exposed.

4. Coil arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coil body (12) has at least one navigation element (18).

5. Coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner pocket (28) has at least one connecting element (42) on the inner side (40) for mechanically connecting the coil body (12) arranged in the receiving region (24) to the inner pocket (28).

6. A coil arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer bag (26) has a separation line (34) which is arranged at a distance from the receiving opening (22) and at which the outer bag (26) can be at least partially detached.

7. The coil arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the inner pocket (28) has a pocket wall, wherein the pocket wall is at least partially formed from a flexible and/or elastic material.

8. Coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner bag (28) has a bag wall, wherein the bag wall has a layer structure at least in regions, wherein the layer structure has at least two layers which are connected to one another and are made of different materials from one another.

9. The coil arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the receiving pocket (16) has at least one tab (44) projecting outwards in the region of the receiving opening (22).

10. The coil arrangement as set forth in claim 9, characterized in that the coil arrangement has connecting elements for connecting the at least one web (44) to opposite regions of the receiving pocket (16) across the receiving opening (22).

11. Coil arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil arrangement has an air suction connection (48) which can be connected to an air suction device, wherein the air suction connection (48) projects with a first end into the receiving region (24).

12. The coil assembly of claim 1 wherein said substance is an organic tissue.

13. A coil arrangement as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the separating line is arranged furthest apart from the receiving opening (22).

14. The coil arrangement as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the air suction connection (48) has a closure element (50) for the fluid-tight closure of the air suction connection (48).

15. A receiving bag (16) for a coil arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the coil arrangement (10) has a coil body (12) with a coil (20) consisting of an electrical conductor and a coil connecting line (14) which is electrically coupled to the coil (20) and is used for connecting the coil (20) to an imaging examination apparatus (70), wherein the receiving bag (16) has a receiving opening (22) and a receiving region (24) which is connected to the receiving opening (22) and is used for receiving the coil body (12), wherein the receiving bag (16) has an outer bag (26) and an inner bag (28) which is arranged in the outer bag (26), wherein the outer bag (26) and the inner bag (28) are connected in a fluid-tight manner along a connecting region (30), wherein a sterile clean region (32) is provided between the outer bag (26) and the inner bag (28).