Concave Magnet Layout for Homogeneous External NMR Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NMR and MRI technologies face challenges in generating uniform low-field magnetic fields, particularly for internal organs like the liver, due to difficulties in producing a homogeneous magnetic field, leading to unreliable data quality and the need for large, heavy, and costly magnet systems.
Innovation Solution
A concave-shaped magnet system with permanent magnets arranged in a V-configuration and additional magnetic material to adjust the magnetic field, allowing for a more homogeneous field with reduced size and weight, optimized for detecting fat and iron content in internal organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional magnet designs are used to generate magnetic field for NMR, then the magnetic field strength can be sufficient, but the device size and weight become large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet system is divided into multiple permanent magnets arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each magnet contributes to the overall magnetic field, allowing the system to achieve sufficient field strength through distributed magnetic sources rather than a single large magnet, thereby reducing individual component size and total system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses permanent magnets made from composite magnetic materials that provide high magnetic moment to mass ratio. This allows the system to generate adequate magnetic field strength with less material, reducing both weight and cost while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional magnet designs are used to generate magnetic field for NMR, then the magnetic field strength can be sufficient, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet system is divided into multiple permanent magnets arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each magnet contributes to the overall magnetic field, allowing the system to achieve sufficient field strength through distributed magnetic sources rather than a single large magnet, thereby reducing individual component size and total system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the magnet arrangement (specifically forming a concave shape with defined angles) to optimize the magnetic field distribution. This geometric parameter optimization allows simpler individual components to work together effectively, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining field strength.
3Ease of operation
If unilateral magnet design is used to create external low-field strength magnetic field, then the field can be produced external to the magnet, but the field uniformity in the volume of investigation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet system employs an asymmetric concave geometric configuration with specific angle relationships. This asymmetric arrangement is deliberately designed to balance the magnetic field contributions from different magnet segments, achieving improved uniformity in the investigation volume while maintaining external field production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional planar or linear magnet arrangements to a three-dimensional concave configuration. This dimensional change allows the magnets to surround the investigation volume from multiple directions, improving field uniformity through spatial distribution while keeping the field accessible externally.
4Area of stationary object
If secondary magnets are added to improve field projection and uniformity, then the volume of investigation can be extended, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of primary and secondary magnets into a unified concave arrangement of permanent magnets. The geometric configuration itself creates the field extension effect traditionally requiring separate secondary magnets, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing total system weight while maintaining extended investigation volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional planar or linear magnet arrangements to a three-dimensional concave configuration. This dimensional change allows the magnets to surround the investigation volume from multiple directions, improving field uniformity through spatial distribution while keeping the field accessible externally.
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 generates a low-strength, high-homogeneity magnetic field suitable for NMR and MRI measurements, improving data quality and reducing the size and cost of magnet systems, enabling more efficient detection of critical materials within the body.
Implementation Method 1
The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. Each magnet may have a magnetic moment oriented perpendicular to a backplane of the magnet system.
Implementation Method 2
NMR and MRI are techniques used to measure, detect, survey, and/or understand patient health by imaging, detecting, and/or monitoring conditions and/or materials present internal to a biological subject
Data Source
AI summary
A magnet system for use in a nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) apparatus includes a first magnet and a second magnet located on a backplane to form a gap therebetween, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are each shaped to form trapezoidal prisms with dimensions selected to optimize a magnetic field at a target region in space external to the magnet system.