MRI Elastography With Integrated Motor for Compact Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) elastography devices require a drive unit, such as a motor, to be located outside the scanner unit, necessitating a long transmission shaft, which is not space-efficient and can interfere with MRI measurements.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance-compatible drive unit, preferably a motor, is integrated within the scanner unit, allowing for a compact design with a short transmission shaft and minimizing interference by using a magnetic resonance-compatible motor positioned near the patient, aligned with the dominant component of the magnetic field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit is located outside the scanner unit, then the motor can operate independently without interfering with MRI measurements, but the transmission shaft becomes long and the device becomes less space-efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive unit with the scanner unit by integrating the motor within the scanner unit's structure. This merging allows the transmission shaft to be significantly shortened while maintaining the drive function, thereby resolving the contradiction between drive unit independence and transmission shaft length.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the drive unit is located outside the scanner unit, then the motor can be positioned away from the MRI measurement area, but the overall device size increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is merged with the scanner unit by positioning the motor within the scanner unit's structure. This integration allows the drive function to be incorporated without increasing the overall device footprint, thereby resolving the contradiction between minimizing interference with MRI measurements and maintaining compact device dimensions.
3Power
If a long transmission shaft is used to connect the drive unit outside the scanner unit, then the drive torque can be transmitted to the vibration unit, but the device becomes less compact and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is integrated within the scanner unit structure, merging the drive function with the imaging system. This integration eliminates the need for a long transmission shaft and reduces the overall complexity of the transmission system while maintaining effective drive torque transmission to the vibration unit.
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
This configuration enables a compact and interference-free elastography device that effectively stimulates tissue vibrations for MRI elastography, maintaining image quality and ensuring minimal disruption to the MRI process.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic resonance compatible motor uses the dominant component of the basic magnetic field as a stator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is based on a magnetic resonance system comprising a magnetic resonance device with a scanner unit having a base magnet, a gradient coil unit and a radio-frequency coil unit, and a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, and an elastography device which is designed to excite regions of a patient to be examined during a magnetic resonance elastography examination on the patient, comprising a vibration unit, a magnetic resonance-compatible drive unit and a transmission unit for transmitting a drive torque generated by the magnetic resonance-compatible drive unit to the vibration unit, wherein the magnetic resonance-compatible drive unit has a magnetic resonance-compatible motor.