Movable MRI Magnet with Superconducting Coil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI systems require patients to be moved to the machine during surgical procedures, which is impractical for patients who should not be moved, such as those undergoing surgery or in critical conditions, and existing intraoperative MRI systems are costly and disrupt operating theater operations.
Innovation Solution
A movable MRI system with a cylindrical magnet made of superconducting material like magnesium di-boride, which can be powered off and cooled without liquid helium, allowing it to be safely transported and positioned within an operating room, enabling imaging without disrupting surgical access or requiring extensive renovations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional MRI system is used, then high-quality imaging can be obtained, but the patient must be moved to the machine which is impractical for patients undergoing surgery or in critical conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The MRI system is designed with movable components including a movable patient table and adjustable RF coils that can be repositioned during procedures. The system transitions from a static conventional MRI to a dynamic intraoperative MRI system that adapts to surgical needs, allowing the magnet to be moved along the operating table and RF coils to be repositioned for different imaging requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The MRI system is divided into separate functional modules: a magnet system, RF coil system, and table support system. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and adjusted, enabling the magnet to be moved away from the patient during surgery and RF coils to be repositioned for different imaging needs without requiring movement of the entire system
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing intraoperative MRI systems are installed, then imaging during surgery is enabled, but extensive renovations to the operating theater are required which is expensive and disrupts operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be compatible with existing operating theater equipment and can be installed in standard operating rooms without requiring dedicated MRI room infrastructure. The movable table support system and RF coils can be integrated with conventional operating table structures, allowing the same hardware to serve both surgical and imaging functions
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy magnet system is extracted from the conventional fixed MRI configuration and placed on a movable table support system that can be positioned in the operating theater. This extraction allows the magnet to be moved independently of the operating table infrastructure, eliminating the need for extensive theater renovations while maintaining imaging capability
3Measurement precision
If the magnet is positioned close to the patient for imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but surgical access to the patient is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet system is designed to be dynamically repositionable along the operating table. During imaging, the magnet can be moved close to the patient's head for high-quality scans, then repositioned away from the patient to allow surgical access. The table support system enables smooth transitions between these positions without disrupting the surgical workflow
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows preliminary positioning of the magnet close to the patient for imaging before surgical procedures begin. The magnet can be pre-positioned and imaged, then moved away to allow surgical access. This preliminary action enables imaging to be completed before surgery without restricting surgical access during the actual procedure
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
Enables high-quality MRI imaging during surgical procedures without moving the patient and reduces installation costs by allowing the MRI system to be used within existing operating theater setups, maintaining surgical access and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet system comprising a cylindrical magnet of magnet wire defining a cylindrical bore within which a part of the patient is located for placement within high magnetic fields generated by the magnet
Implementation Method 2
high magnetic fields generated by the magnet
Implementation Method 3
the magnet wire is formed of a superconducting material which is cooled by a cooling system to superconductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for imaging during surgical procedures includes an operating room for the surgical procedure and an MRI for obtaining images periodically through the surgical procedure by moving the magnet up to the table. The magnet wire is formed of a superconducting material such as magnesium di-boride or Niobium-Titanium which is cooled by a vacuum cryocooling system to superconductivity without use of liquid helium. The magnet weighs less than 1 to 2 tonne and has a floor area in the range 15 to 35 sq feet so that it can be carried on the floor by a support system having an air cushion covering the base area of the magnet having side skirts so as to spread the weight over the entire base area. The magnet remains in the room during surgery and is powered off to turn off the magnetic field when in the second position remote from the table.