MRI Electromagnet Support Structure for Axial and Rotational Restraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnet support systems for MRI devices fail to adequately restrain relative movement and maintain optimal positioning, leading to stress concentration and performance issues due to electromagnetic and transportation loads.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnet assembly with bonded support elements and a support structure that secures coils against axial and rotational movement, using adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening to inhibit distortion and stress concentration, allowing for accurate mounting and improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tensile support is wrapped around the electromagnets, then the electromagnets are supported during transportation, but the arrangement does not provide sufficient rotational restraint and is difficult to configure to achieve small tolerances for spatial location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport reliabilityVSAvoidspatial location precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple discrete support elements (first support element, second support element, third support element) rather than a single continuous support. Each support element can be independently positioned and adjusted, enabling precise spatial location while providing comprehensive restraint against translation and rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different support elements are positioned at specific locations around the electromagnet coil with different orientations. The first support element restrains movement in a first direction, the second in a second direction, and the third in a third direction, providing localized restraint qualities tailored to specific movement vectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a tensile support is wrapped around the electromagnets, then the electromagnets are supported during transportation, but the arrangement may not provide sufficient rotational restraint to effectively manage transportation loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation support reliabilityVSAvoidrotational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different support elements are positioned at specific locations around the electromagnet coil with different orientations. The first support element restrains movement in a first direction, the second in a second direction, and the third in a third direction, providing localized restraint qualities tailored to specific movement vectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support elements are arranged asymmetrically around the coil rather than uniformly. The first support element is positioned at a first location, the second at a second location, and the third at a third location, with each oriented to restrain movement in a specific direction, creating an asymmetric configuration that provides comprehensive rotational restraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution provides secure mounting and reduced stress concentration, ensuring optimal performance and durability of electromagnets during operation and transportation by restraining axial and rotational movements, thus enhancing the reliability of MRI devices.

Implementation Method 1

The coil 110 and the support element 120 may be bonded using an adhesive suitable for cryogenic applications.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The coil 110 and the support element 120 may be resin-impregnated to form a monolithic structure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResin impregnation: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3692384B1Electromagnet for MRI with mechanical support structure
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE LTD
  • EP3692384B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3692384B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3692384B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

An electromagnet (100) for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus. The electromagnet (100) comprises a coil (110) for generating a magnetic field. The coil (110) has a first axially outer surface (112), and a support element (120) for mounting the coil (110) in the MRI. The support element (120) is bonded to the first axially outer surface (112) of the coil (110).