Ferrofluidic Cooling and Noise Reduction in Magnetic Stimulators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic stimulation devices face challenges with heat management and acoustical noise, as conventional cooling methods increase complexity and cost, and noise reduction techniques compromise cooling efficiency, while ferrofluids used in lower voltage applications may not maintain dielectric isolation at higher voltages.

Innovation Solution

A ferrofluidic cooling system that uses a ferrofluid chamber around a magnetic stimulation device to circulate ferrofluid for convective cooling, while also employing sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise transmission, leveraging magnetic and thermal convection to manage heat and noise effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional air or fluid cooling mechanisms are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrofluid cooling system utilizes the magnetic field already present in the magnetic stimulation device to drive the circulation of ferrofluid through magnetic convection. The magnetic field variations naturally induce fluid motion without requiring external pumps or mechanical actuators, allowing the system to cool itself using its own operational fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems (fans, pumps, refrigeration units) with a magnetic field-driven ferrofluid convection system. The mechanical moving parts are substituted by utilizing magnetic forces to circulate the cooling fluid, eliminating the need for complex mechanical cooling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If sound-absorbing materials are used to reduce noise, then acoustical noise is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to interference with heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustical noiseVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrofluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a cooling agent through convective heat transfer and as a sound-damping medium through its magnetic and acoustic properties. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate noise reduction materials that would interfere with cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a composite approach by using ferrofluid—a composite material containing ferromagnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid—that combines thermal convection capabilities with acoustic attenuation properties, achieving both cooling and noise reduction in a single integrated medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If magnetic stimulation device operates continuously, then productivity is improved, but temperature exceeds threshold requiring treatment interruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment continuityVSAvoidoperating temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrofluid cooling system operates continuously alongside the magnetic stimulation therapy, maintaining temperature control throughout the treatment process. This enables uninterrupted continuous operation of the magnetic stimulation device without requiring periodic cooling pauses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Temperature

If ferrofluid is used for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but dielectric isolation may be compromised at high voltages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddielectric isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies selecting ferrofluid parameters (particle size, concentration, carrier fluid properties) to optimize both cooling performance and dielectric breakdown voltage. By carefully controlling the physical and chemical parameters of the ferrofluid, the system achieves effective cooling while maintaining adequate electrical insulation at high voltage operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively cools high-voltage magnetic stimulation devices while mitigating acoustical noise, maintaining dielectric isolation and reducing operational complexity and cost, ensuring safe and efficient therapeutic procedures.

Implementation Method 1

circulate ferrofluid for convective cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

leveraging magnetic and thermal convection to manage heat and noise effectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic convection: Thermomagnetic Convection

Implementation Method 3

employing sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 4

maintaining dielectric isolation and reducing operational complexity and cost

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric isolation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10315041B2Ferrofluidic cooling and acoustical noise reduction in magnetic stimulators

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 NEURONETICS INC

AI summary

A ferrofluid chamber has a housing that is adapted to be coupled to a component that generates a magnetic field. The housing may be disposed around the component so as to insulate a noise-producing region of the component. The magnetic field may be of sufficient strength to stimulate anatomical tissue. In addition, a ferrofluid may be disposed within the housing for cooling the component.