Concave Magnet Arrangement for Uniform Low-Field External NMR
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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 or shimming methods to optimize the magnetic field for low-field strength and high homogeneity, allowing for more efficient detection of materials within internal organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional magnet designs are used to generate magnetic field, then magnetic field strength can be achieved, but magnetic field uniformity deteriorates and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet system is divided into multiple permanent magnets arranged in a specific geometric configuration (e.g., Halbach array or segmented design). This segmentation allows each magnet to contribute to the overall field while maintaining uniformity through their collective arrangement, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient field strength and maintaining uniformity without excessive size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shimming elements and optimized magnet placements that create locally tailored magnetic field characteristics. By adjusting the magnetic properties in specific regions (through shimming or varying magnet strengths/orientations), the system achieves high field uniformity in the target measurement region without requiring a uniformly large magnet structure throughout.
2Reliability
If high field strength is generated, then reliable NMR data can be obtained, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes permanent magnets with optimized remanence values and coercivity parameters to generate sufficient magnetic field strength for reliable NMR measurements. By carefully selecting and arranging permanent magnets with specific magnetic parameters, the system achieves the required field strength without the excessive weight of traditional electromagnet systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet system employs composite structures combining permanent magnets with magnetic shielding materials and shimming elements. This composite approach allows the system to maintain high field strength for reliable measurements while using lighter materials and optimized configurations to reduce overall system weight compared to solid traditional magnet designs.
3Volume of stationary object
If magnet system size is reduced, then device portability improves, but magnetic field homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional arrangements of segmented permanent magnets (such as Halbach arrays or multi-layer configurations) that create favorable magnetic field conditions in the target measurement region. By utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions, the system achieves high field homogeneity within a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and maintaining homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shimming elements and magnetic field correction components as intermediaries between the permanent magnets and the measurement target. These intermediaries fine-tune and homogenize the magnetic field in the measurement region, allowing compact magnet configurations to achieve the required field uniformity that would otherwise require larger magnet systems.
4Length of stationary object
If unilateral magnet design is used, then field projection distance increases, but field uniformity in target region deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric magnet configurations (such as unilateral designs with optimized geometries) that are specifically tailored to project the magnetic field deeper into the target object while maintaining uniformity in the volume of interest. The asymmetric arrangement of permanent magnets and shimming elements creates a field distribution that extends farther into the object compared to symmetric designs, resolving the contradiction between projection distance and uniformity.
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 magnet system generates a uniform, low-strength magnetic field that is sensitive and selective for detecting critical materials like fat and iron in organs, improving data quality and reducing the size and weight of the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet system for use in an external NMR may include a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
The magnet system may be optimized to deliver an NMR suitable magnetic field to a target volumetric region in space external to the magnet system or kit
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.