Compact MRI Magnetic Structure for Orthopedic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI machines designed for smaller anatomical regions, such as the hand or foot, face challenges in reducing size and weight while maintaining sufficient magnetic field intensity and homogeneity for diagnostic image quality, leading to increased costs and complex installation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic structure with a compact design featuring poles spaced less than 30 cm apart, a static magnetic field intensity of 0.05 to 0.3 Tesla, and a homogeneity of 30-50 ppm within a smaller imaging volume, utilizing permanent or superconducting magnets and shimming devices to optimize field homogeneity and reduce weight, allowing for a more portable and cost-effective MRI machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If the magnetic structure size is reduced for dedicated anatomical regions, then the machine weight and installation complexity are reduced, but the magnetic field intensity and homogeneity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the pole configuration with specific spacing (less than 30 cm), adjusting magnetic field intensity (0.05 to 0.3 Tesla), and controlling homogeneity (30-50 ppm) to achieve diagnostic quality images while maintaining a compact magnetic structure with reduced weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating a focused imaging volume within the cavity where magnetic field values are optimized for diagnostic image acquisition, concentrating the magnetic field properties where needed rather than uniformly across the entire structure
2Volume of stationary object
If the imaging volume is reduced for smaller anatomical regions, then the machine size and cost are reduced, but the image quality and diagnostic capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains image quality within the reduced imaging volume by precisely controlling magnetic field parameters including intensity (0.05 to 0.3 Tesla) and homogeneity (30-50 ppm), ensuring diagnostic capability is preserved despite the smaller volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that within the specific imaging volume, the magnetic field values are optimized to guarantee acquisition of MRI images with quality characteristics sufficient for diagnostic use, focusing quality where the imaging occurs
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
The solution enables the acquisition of high-resolution diagnostic images with improved signal noise ratio and reduced installation requirements, making the MRI machine more accessible and cost-effective for smaller anatomical regions without compromising imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic structure with a compact design featuring poles spaced less than 30 cm apart, a static magnetic field intensity of 0.05 to 0.3 Tesla, and a homogeneity of 30-50 ppm within a smaller imaging volume, utilizing permanent or superconducting magnets
Implementation Method 2
utilizing permanent or superconducting magnets and shimming devices to optimize field homogeneity and reduce weight
Implementation Method 3
utilizing permanent or superconducting magnets and shimming devices to optimize field homogeneity
Data Source
AI summary
Magnetic structure for MRI machines, which machine has a U-shaped or annular, that is O-shaped geometry having two opposite poles between which a magnetic field is generated and are borne at a predetermined distance one with respect to the other by a magnetic yoke having an inverted U shape or an annular one, that is an O shape, which poles generating the magnetic field and/or at least a part of which yoke delimit a cavity housing at least a part of the patient body, while inside the volume of said cavity a partial volume is generated wherein values of the magnetic field are such to guarantee the acquisition of MRI images having quality characteristics sufficient to be used like diagnostic images, so called imaging volume.The invention relates also to a machine for detecting MRI images particularly of the anatomical region of the hand or the foot or part of joints and which machine has a magnetic structure of the type described above.