DE202015000865U1 - MR coil, patient table with MR coil and MR system - Google Patents

Abstract

An MR coil (1) having a plurality of coil elements (E1, E2) and a receiving space (R) for a neck / head region of a patient, comprising - a coil base (2) with at least a first coil element (E1) and - a The upper coil part (2) can be arranged upper coil part (3) with at least one second coil element (E2), wherein - the at least one first coil element (E1) and the at least one second coil element (E2) are connected separately.

Description

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance (MR) coil with a plurality of coil elements and having a receiving space for a neck / head region of a patient, comprising a coil base with at least one first coil element and an upper coil part can be arranged on the upper coil part with at least one second coil element. The invention also relates to a patient bed of an MR system to which such an MR coil is connected. The invention further relates to an MR system having at least one such MR coil. The invention is particularly applicable to MR tomography.

In a magnetic resonance (MR) tomography head / neck coils (also known as "head / neck" coils) with up to 20 individual coil elements or head coils (also known as "head coils") with up to 32 individual coil elements used. Disadvantages here are hitherto still often too low resolution, a comfort uncomfortable for a patient and poor handling for the operating personnel.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a particularly flexible possibility of head and / or head and neck imaging.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The object is achieved by an MR coil having a plurality of coil elements and having a receiving space for receiving a neck / head region of a patient, comprising a coil base with at least one first coil element and an upper coil part can be arranged on the upper coil part with at least one second coil element, wherein the at least one first coil element and the at least one second coil element are connected separately from each other, for. B. to a respective or common Datenauswerteeinrichtung.

This allows a flexible applicability, for example, also by the fact that a separate use of coil upper part and lower coil part is possible. In particular, the MR coil has no electrical contacts between coil upper part and coil lower part.

The coil elements can also be referred to as antenna elements or individual coils.

The coil lower part has at least one coil element (hereinafter referred to as "first coil element"), for an increased resolution, in particular a plurality of first coil elements. The coil upper part has at least one coil element (hereinafter referred to as "second coil element"), for an increased resolution, in particular a plurality of second coil elements.

The MR coil may be configured to operate a neck of a patient, a head of a patient, or a combination thereof, or may be operated accordingly. In particular, the MR coil can also be only a head coil or only a neck coil or can be operated or used as such.

The coil base may be placed on a base, wherein the coil upper part is arranged in particular on the coil base. The coil shell can z. B. can be plugged onto the coil base, or the two coil parts can be pivotally connected to each other via a hinge. The upper coil part can in particular rest on the lower coil part.

The coil base is designed in particular as a support for a neck or a neck back and / or for the back of a patient's head. The coil upper part is designed in particular as a cover for a throat or a neck front side and / or for a front head of a patient, in particular as a perforated in the region of the eyes and / or the mouth cover. The coil base and the coil top can together form a receptacle for a head and possibly for a neck of a patient.

The fact that the at least one first coil element and the at least one second coil element can be connected separately from one another can in particular include that the coil base has one or more connection interfaces for the electrical connection of the at least one first coil element, eg. B. for connection to an MR receiving and / or evaluation of an MR system, and the coil upper part has one or more connection interfaces for electrical connection of the at least one second coil element.

The MR coil and the corresponding coil elements can be designed or operated in a variant as a pure MR receiving coil or receiving coil elements. In another variant, the MR coil and the corresponding coil elements can be designed or operated as an MR transmit / receive coil or transmit / receive coil elements.

It is an embodiment that the coil base has at least one (for example, arranged on the underside) Direktsteckung (ie in particular, at least one direct plug and / or at least one direct socket) for connecting the at least one first coil element. As a result, the coil base can be plugged with its placement on a corresponding pad with a respective direct counter-counterpart element of the pad. A separate electrical connection of the coil base is unnecessary, which improves handling of the coil base.

It is a development that the Direktsteckung has an outside coding, z. B. a bar code which informs about one or more properties of the MR coil. By way of example, lateral guidance of the direct insertion can comprise coding with information about a field strength of the MR coil.

It is still an embodiment that the coil upper part has at least one manually connectable coil connector for connecting the at least one second coil element. Such a manually connectable coil plug can also be referred to as a "hand plug". As a result, a simple arrangement and a simple connection of the coil upper part are achieved, in particular if the upper coil part is already arranged on the lower coil part. The coil connector may be such. B. have a flexible cable or be connected to such.

It is a further embodiment that the coil upper part is removable from the coil base and the coil base and / or the coil shell are operated alone. As a result, for example, a neck and / or an occiput (but possibly also an entire neck and / or head) of patients can be examined, on which the coil upper part exerts a claustrophobic effect. The removal of the upper coil part is readily possible by the electrical separation of the coil base and coil upper part.

It is still another embodiment that the number (hereinafter referred to without limitation of the generality as "first number") first coil elements is greater than the number (hereinafter referred to as "second number" without limitation of generality) second coil elements. As a result, a uniform resolution of the head and possibly neck is achieved because the contour of the back of the head and possibly neck usually encloses a larger volume than the contour of the front of the head and possibly the throat.

It is also an embodiment that a total number (ie, a sum of the first number and the second number) of the first and second coil elements is at least 64, in particular exactly 64. This provides the advantage that one is sufficiently high for most diagnostic purposes resolution and / or rapid MR imaging is achieved. In particular, with a total number of coil elements of the MR coil between 64 and 128, a cost for a data processing still remains relatively low.

It is also an embodiment that the first number of the first coil elements is at least 40, in particular exactly 40. This has proven to be a particularly advantageous for obtaining a uniform resolution first number.

It is a further development that the first number of the first coil elements is exactly 40, in particular if the total number of coil elements of the MR coil is exactly 64.

In general, it is a refinement that is advantageous for obtaining a uniform resolution that the first number of the first coil elements is greater than the second number of the second coil elements. In particular, the first number may be at least 50% greater than the second number. It is also advantageous that the first number does not make up more than two-thirds of the total number of coil elements. It is particularly preferred in this regard that the first number makes up between 60% and 67% of the total number of coil elements.

It is also an embodiment that the second number of the second coil elements is at least 24.

It is a further development that the second number is exactly 24, in particular if the total number of coil elements of the MR coil is exactly 64.

It is also an embodiment that the coil base has an inwardly arching support area (or "Halsanformung") for supporting a neck of the patient on which at least a first coil element is arranged. As a result, the coil base or its first coil elements arranged there can be brought close to the contour of the patient, whereby a particularly high signal intensity can be achieved peripherally.

The receptacle for the head of the patient, which is formed jointly by the upper part of the coil and the lower part of the coil, is shaped in such a way that it lies close to a contour of the patient and thus a particularly high signal intensity is generated peripherally. This is z. B. by a tight design with, for example, an extension of about 200 mm in x- Direction, ie, along a body longitudinal axis of the patient, and about 225 mm in the y direction along a forhead-occipital direction).

It is also an embodiment that the coil upper part has a region (hereinafter also referred to as "gurgle detection area" without limitation of generality) for covering a front part of a neck or gurgles of the patient, to which at least one second coil element for Detecting MR signals thereof is arranged.

The neck support region has an area (hereinafter also referred to as "neck detection area" without limitation) for detecting MR signals from a neck of a patient on which at least a first coil element is arranged. The neck detection area may be provided in particular for imaging the rear neck area of the patient, while the throat detection area may be provided in particular for imaging the front neck area or the throat of the patient.

It is also a further embodiment that a number of coil elements provided for receiving MR signals from the neck or for imaging the neck is fourteen (14), which enables a high image resolution and rapid image acquisition of the neck. The fourteen coil elements may in particular be present if the MR coil has a total of 64 coil elements. These fourteen coil elements may, for example, be arranged on the neck detection area and on the throat detection area, possibly also on a mouth detection area covering a patient's mouth.

In principle, coil elements can be used to receive any MR signals, that is to say at least one coil element can be provided, for example, for receiving MR signals from the neck, from the head or from both.

With a total of 64 coil elements, the remaining 50 coil elements account for a reception of MR signals or an imaging of the head, which enables its high image resolution and rapid image acquisition.

The coil base can be, for example, thought or z. B. in relation to a control and evaluation of the first coil elements in along a body longitudinal axis of a recorded in the MR coil patient successive detection areas, in particular in: the neck detection area with a first set of first coil elements, an adjoining Detection area (hereinafter referred to as "lower back of the head detection area" without restricting the general public) with a second set of first coil elements, a subsequent detection area (hereinafter referred to as "middle back of the head detection area" without limitation to the general) with a third set of first coil elements, an adjoining region (hereinafter referred to as "upper back head detection region" without limitation of generality) having a fourth set of first coil elements and subsequent detection region (hereinafter, without limitation the generality as "(back) skull cover detection area") with a fifth set of first coil elements.

It is an embodiment of the first set and the second set each having a smaller number of first coil elements than the third set or the fourth set. This takes into account that the (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body) upper half of the head usually encloses a larger volume than the lower half of the head.

In particular, the posterior skullcap detection area, which may correspond in particular to a posterior upper skull area, enables imaging in the longitudinal direction of view.

Particularly preferred is a division of the number of the first coil elements on the sets as follows (in the order described above): 6-8-10-10-10 or in the same or similar numerical ratio.

The coil shell can be, for example, thought or z. B. in relation to a control and evaluation of the second coil elements in along a body longitudinal axis successive detection areas, in particular in: the Gurgel detection area with a first set of second coil elements, the adjoining mouth detection area with a second set of second coil elements, a subsequent detection area (hereinafter referred to as "eye detection area" without restriction of generality) with a third set of second coil elements, an adjoining area (hereinafter referred to as "forehead detection area" without limitation of generality) a fourth set of second coil elements and subsequent detection area (hereinafter referred to as "(front) cranial-ceiling detection area" without limitation to the generality) having a fifth set of second coil elements.

It is an embodiment of the first set and the second set of the second coil elements each having a smaller number of second coil elements than the third set or the fourth set of the second coil elements. This takes into account that the upper half of the head (with respect to the longitudinal body axis of a patient) usually encloses a larger volume than the lower half of the head.

In particular, the anterior skullcap detection area, which may correspond in particular to a front upper skull area, enables imaging in the longitudinal direction of view.

Particularly preferred is a division of the number of the second coil elements on the sets as follows (in the order described above): 3 - 5 - 6 - 8 - 4 or in a same or similar numerical ratio.

It is a further development that at least approximately opposite pairs of detection areas of the coil upper part and the coil base (in particular neck detection area and throat detection area, mouth detection area and lower back head detection area, eye detection area and middle back head detection area, front detection area and upper Posterior head detection area and / or frontal skullcap detection area and back skullcap detection area) each have a different number of coil elements.

In general, to obtain a uniform resolution, advantageously, the numbers of the first coil elements may be larger than the associated numbers of the second coil elements of a respective pair. In particular, the numbers of the first coil elements may be at least 50% greater than the respective numbers of the second coil elements. It is particularly advantageous for the numbers of the first coil elements not to make up more than two-thirds of the total number of coil elements of a pair. It is particularly preferred in this regard that the number of first coil elements of a pair of detection regions is between 60% and 67% of the total number of coil elements of this pair.

For 64 coil elements, a maximum number of receiving elements of a pair (i.e., in a transverse section) may be 16 in particular, in particular in the area of the patient's head, which allows a very good resolution and rapid measurement.

It is still an embodiment that the MR coil, in particular the coil base, is provided for placement and connection to a patient bed as the pad. Thus, the MR coil may in particular represent an accessory, in particular an attachment, for a patient couch.

The object is also achieved by a patient bed of an MR system, to which the MR coil as described above is connected. Such a patient bed can be configured analogously to the MR coil and gives the same advantages.

The object is also achieved by an MR system, comprising the MR coil as described above, in particular a patient couch with an MR coil as described above. Such an MR system can be configured analogously to the MR coil and / or to the patient bed and gives the same advantages.

MR systems are basically known and need not be further described here. The MR system may, for example, have a body coil or "body coil" for emitting MR excitation pulses and an evaluation unit for evaluating the MR signals and possibly for subsequent imaging.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment which will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. In this case, the same or equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity.

1 shows in a view obliquely from above an MR coil according to the invention;

2 shows a different view of the MR coil according to the invention obliquely from above;

3 shows the MR coil according to the invention in plan view; and

4 shows the now simplified MR coil according to the invention as a sectional view in a side view.

1 shows an MR coil 1 with a coil base 2 and a coil upper part resting thereon 3 in a first view from diagonally above. 2 shows the MR coil 1 in a second view obliquely from above, which is rotated in comparison to the first view. 3 shows the MR coil 1 in plan view.

The coil base 2 and the coil top 3 together form a receiving space R for receiving a neck / head area of a patient (not shown). The two coil parts 2 and 3 are further configured for the detection of MR signals from the neck / head area and have for this purpose a plurality of coil elements, namely sixty-four (64) coil elements E1 and E2. These sixty-four coil elements E1 and E2 are on the coil bottom 2 and the coil top 3 distributed, in such a way that the lower coil part 2 forty (40) "first" coil elements E1 and the coil top 3 twenty-four (24) has "second" coil elements E2.

For this purpose, the neck / head region of the patient can be stimulated, for example, in a basically known manner by means of a body coil of an MR system.

The coil base 2 is to rest a (in relation to a body longitudinal axis L, as in 4 9) of the back neck area or neck, and has a forward position relative to the body (ie, with respect to the MR coil 1 upwards) formed vaulting 4 as a neck pad area. Through the vault 4 nestles the coil base 2 close to a neck and arranged there first coil elements E1 can thus be brought close to the contour of the patient, whereby peripherally a particularly high signal intensity can be achieved.

The coil top 3 like from the coil base 2 be removable and z. B. after placement on the coil base 2 by means of a locking device 5 be lockable.

The first coil elements E1 of the coil base 2 and the second coil elements E2 of the coil top 3 are electrically connected separately. In particular, there may be no electrical connection between the first coil elements E1 and the second coil elements E2, in particular no electrical connection at all between the coil bottom part 2 and the coil top 3 , The coil base 2 and the coil top 3 Therefore, they can easily be operated separately.

For electrical connection, the coil bottom part 2 two direct outlets, of which here only a Direktsteckung 6 is shown. The direct connection 6 is located in the area of an underside attachment surface of the coil base 2 while the coil top 3 placed on top. The MR coil 1 or the coil base 2 So you can simply by placing it on a suitable pad, z. B. a patient bed (o. Fig.) Which cause electrical contacting of the first coil elements E1.

For electrical connection of the coil upper part 3 or the associated second coil elements E2 is one with a cable 7 equipped, manual to be connected hand plug 8th available. This can z. B. are plugged into a mating plug element of a patient bed.

At least one of the direct connections 6 has z. B. a lateral guide, which is a field strength coding for the MR coil 1 , the coil base 2 and / or the coil top 3 having. Alternatively or additionally like the hand plug 8th have a field strength coding, z. B. for the MR coil 1 , the coil base 2 and / or the coil top 3 ,

The coil top 3 has a perforated design with two recesses or openings 9 for one eye area of the patient, three openings 10 for a mouth area of the patient as well as a strut-shaped cover 11 for the neck, especially his throat. The coil top 3 has at least in the area of the patient's head a tight design for close proximity to a patient's contour. The design of the coil shell 3 There is very open designed for a high patient comfort. In order nevertheless to be able to integrate a large number of second coil elements E2 or to be able to convert a large number of channels, a so-called "single-line system" is provided for at least some of the second coil elements E2, in which adjacent second coil elements E2 at least partially use the same conductor, e.g. , B. the same center conductor. This is then z. B. capacitively coupled to other conductor portions of the associated second coil elements E2. This can coil top part 3 be formed narrower. Also, such a one-handed operation of the coil top part 3 facilitated.

4 shows the MR coil according to the invention now shown in simplified form 1 as a sectional view in a side view. The coil base 2 and the coil top 3 are divided into imaginary areas (hereinafter referred to as "detection areas" without limitation of generality), which are denoted by the Roman numerals I to X and the transverse slices by the coil bottom part 2 (Detection areas I to V) and the coil top part 3 (Detection ranges VI to X) correspond.

The coil base 2 is thoughtfully divided along a body longitudinal axis L into successive detection areas, namely a neck detection area I having a first set S1 of first coil elements E1, a lower back head detection area II having a second set S2 of first coil elements E1, a middle back Detection area III with a third Set S3 of first coil elements E1, an upper backside detection area IV with a fourth set S4 of first coil elements E1, and a skullcap detection area V with a fifth set S5 of first coil elements E1. The neck detection area I extends in particular to the furthest inwardly curved point of the curvature 4 ,

The number of a total of forty first coil elements E1 of the coil base 2 is divided in particular as follows: 6 first coil elements E1 on the first set S1, 8 first coil elements E1 on the second set S2, 10 first coil elements E1 on the third set S3, 10 first coil elements E1 on the fourth set S4 and 6 first coil elements E1 on the fifth set S5.

The coil top 3 is also conceptually divided along a body longitudinal axis L of the patient into successive detection areas, namely into a throat detection area VI with a first set S1 of second coil elements E2, a mouth detection area VII with a second set S2 of second coil elements E2, an eye Detection area VIII with a third set S3 of second coil elements E2, a front detection area IX with a fourth set S4 of second coil elements E2 and a front skull cover detection area X with a fifth set S5 of second coil elements E2.

The number of a total of twenty-four second coil elements E2 of the coil top 3 is divided in particular as follows: 3 second coil elements E2 on the first set S1, 5 second coil elements E2 on the second set S2, 6 second coil elements E2 on the third set S3, 6 second coil elements E2 on the fourth set S4 and 4 second coil elements E2 the fifth sentence S5.

In particular, the coil elements of the neck detection area I, the throat detection area VI and the mouth detection area VII may together serve to receive MR signals from a neck of a patient and thus provide neck imaging. For the neck imaging, S1 (E1) + S1 (E2) + S2 (E1) = 6 + 3 + 5 = 14 coil elements are available.

The remaining detection areas II to V and VIII to X with their combined fifty coil elements are available in particular for receiving MR signals from a patient's head and thus serve, in particular, for imaging the head.

Specifically, the detection areas III and VIII and IV and IX form at least approximately opposite pairs having a maximum number of coil elements in the head area, namely S3 (E1) + S3 (E2) = S4 (E1) + S4 (E2) = 16 coil elements, respectively. This allows an acceleration factor up to a value (so-called "Pat-factor") of 6 and an associated measurement time reduction.

The coil elements of the different detection regions I to X can be used, in particular, for receiving MR signals of the associated body regions (eg the first coil elements E1 of the third set S3 of the central back-head detection region III, in particular for receiving MR signals from a central region of a Back of the head, etc.), but are not limited thereto.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the illustrated embodiments, the invention is not so limited and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Generally, "on", "an", etc. may be taken to mean a singular or a plurality, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", etc., as long as this is not explicitly excluded, e.g. B. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

Also, a number may include exactly the specified number as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

MR coil

2

Coil base

3

Coil shell

4

bulge

5

locking device

6

Direktsteckung

7

electric wire

8th

hand plug

9

Breakthrough for an eye area

10

Breakthrough for a mouth area

11

Cover for a neck

L

Body longitudinal axis

E1

First coil elements

E2

Second coil elements

S1

First sentence

S2

Second sentence

S3

Third sentence

S4

Fourth sentence

S5

Fifth set

I

Neck detection range

II

Lower back of the head detection area

III

Middle occipital detection area

IV

Upper occipital detection area

V

Back skullcap detection area

VI

Gurgel detection area

VII

Mouth detection area

VIII

Eye detection area

IX

Face detection area

X

Anterior skullcap detection area

Claims (14)

MR coil ( 1 ) with a plurality of coil elements (E1, E2) and with a receiving space (R) for a neck / head region of a patient, comprising - a coil lower part ( 2 ) with at least one first coil element (E1) and - one on the coil bottom part ( 2 ) can be arranged coil upper part ( 3 ) with at least one second coil element (E2), wherein - the at least one first coil element (E1) and the at least one second coil element (E2) can be connected separately from one another. MR coil ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the coil bottom part ( 2 ) at least one direct connector ( 6 ) for connecting the at least one first coil element (E1). MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upper part of the coil ( 3 ) at least one manually connectable coil connector ( 8th ) for connecting the at least one second coil element (E2). MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upper part of the coil ( 3 ) is removable and the coil base ( 2 ) is operable alone. MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a first number of first coil elements (E1) is greater than a second number of second coil elements (E2). MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a total number of the first and the second coil elements (E1, E2) is at least 64. MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the first number of the first coil elements (E1) is at least 40. MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second number of the second coil elements (E2) is at least 24. MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the coil bottom part ( 2 ) an inwardly arching neck support area ( 4 ) for supporting a neck of the patient, on which at least one first coil element (E1) is arranged. MR coil ( 1 ) according to claim 9, wherein a number of the provided for receiving MR signals from a neck of the patient coil elements (S1 (E1), S1 (E2), S2 (E2)) is 14. MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of claims 9 or 10, in which the coil bottom part ( 2 is conceptually divided into along a body longitudinal axis (L) successive detection areas (I-X), in: - a neck detection area (I) with a first set (S1) of first coil elements (E1), - a lower Posterior head detection area (II) with a second set (S2) of first coil elements (E1), - a middle back of the head detection area (III) with a third set (S3) of first coil elements (E1), - an upper back of the head detection area (E1) IV) with a fourth set (S4) of first coil elements (E1) and - a skullcap area (V) with a fifth set (S5) of first coil elements (E1), wherein - the first set (S1) and the second set (S2 ) each have a smaller number of first coil elements (E1) than the third set (S3) or the fourth set (S4). MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the coil top part ( 3 ) is conceptually divided into along a body longitudinal axis (L) successive detection areas, in: - a Gurgel detection area (VI) with a first set (S1) of second coil elements (E2), - a mouth detection area (VII) with a second set (S2) of second coil elements (E2), - an eye detection area (VIII) with a third set (S3) of second coil elements (E2), - a front detection area (IX) with a fourth set (S4 ) of second coil elements (E2) and - a skullcap detection area (X) with a fifth set (S5) of second coil elements (E2), wherein - the first set (S1) and the second set ( 2 ) each have a smaller number of second coil elements (E2) than the third set (S3) or the fourth set (S4). Patient couch of an MR system which is connected to an MR coil ( 1 ) is connected according to one of the preceding claims. MR system comprising at least one MR coil ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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