Compact MRI System Using Permanent Magnet Gradient Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are large, expensive, and complex, making them unsuitable for wide deployment at point-of-care (POC) settings, particularly for early detection of prostate cancer.
Innovation Solution
A compact magnetic resonance system utilizing a permanent magnet to create a gradient field, combined with an array of RF coils and a control unit, allows for diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted NMR measurements, enabling mixed contrast imaging without the need for additional gradient coils or large magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-field magnets and strong gradient coils are used to achieve good signal-to-noise ratio and diffusion-weighted contrast, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the gradient coil component from the MRI system, using only a permanent magnet to generate both the main magnetic field and the necessary gradient fields for spatial encoding and diffusion-weighted imaging. This reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the magnet's inherent gradient capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanent magnet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates the main magnetic field for NMR excitation, provides the gradient field for spatial encoding, and enables diffusion-weighted imaging. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate gradient coils, reducing device complexity while maintaining all necessary imaging capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If high-field magnets and strong gradient coils are used to achieve good signal-to-noise ratio and diffusion-weighted contrast, then measurement precision is improved, but installation footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the gradient coil assembly and its associated infrastructure, the system dramatically reduces the installation footprint. The permanent magnet alone provides all necessary magnetic field functions, enabling a compact design suitable for point-of-care settings while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a relatively small, inexpensive permanent magnet instead of large, expensive superconducting magnets. This approach accepts lower field strength but compensates through optimized pulse sequences and multiple averaging, achieving sufficient precision for clinical applications at a fraction of the cost and space requirement.
3Measurement precision
If large magnets and additional gradient coils are used to achieve good signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating the gradient coil subsystem, the patent significantly reduces manufacturing costs. The permanent magnet can be purchased off-the-shelf or custom-made at low cost, and the simplified system requires fewer components, less complex assembly, and lower installation infrastructure expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts using a smaller, cheaper permanent magnet rather than investing in expensive superconducting magnets. The lower signal-to-noise ratio is compensated through software-based signal processing, multiple signal averaging, and optimized pulse sequences, achieving clinically adequate precision at minimal cost.
4Measurement precision
If strong magnets are used to achieve good signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The permanent magnet is a passive component that generates its magnetic field without requiring external power or active cooling systems. It provides a stable, persistent magnetic field that enables continuous operation with minimal energy consumption, eliminating the need for expensive and energy-intensive superconducting magnet systems.
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 system provides efficient, cost-effective, and compact MRI capabilities suitable for POC settings, enabling accurate detection of clinically significant prostate cancers through diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, that is configured such that it creates a gradient field, which is a static magnetic field having a gradient in its field strength at the field-of-view
Implementation Method 2
a unit of one or several RF coils, the unit in particular comprising an array of RF coils, wherein the RF coils are configured to generate RF pulses and to acquire magnetic resonance data from the object
Implementation Method 3
a control unit configured to cause the magnetic resonance system to utilize the magnet's gradient field for diffusion weighted and optionally T2-weighted NMR measurements
Implementation Method 4
a control unit configured to cause the magnetic resonance system to utilize the magnet's gradient field for diffusion weighted and optionally T2-weighted NMR measurements and/or for spatial encoding of the magnetic resonance data
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance system configured to acquire magnetic resonance data of an object in an field-of-view, wherein the magnetic resonance system includes a magnet that is configured such that it creates a gradient field at the field-of-view; a controller configured to cause the magnetic resonance system to utilize the magnet's gradient field for diffusion weighted imaging or mixed contrast imaging; and a unit of one or several RF coils, wherein the RF coils are configured to acquire magnetic resonance data from the object and to support or flexibly attach to the patient body.