Interlaced MRI Gradient Coil Layout for Lower Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic coils in MR devices and magnetic particle imaging tomographs face limitations in accelerating location coding and signal preparation due to the risk of peripheral nerve stimulation, which is exacerbated by high currents and fast switching times.
Innovation Solution
The magnetic coil design rearranges its conductor sections such that at least one turn of the first conductor section is placed between two adjacent turns of the second conductor section, altering the voltage distribution and reducing the conservative electric field, thereby minimizing the risk of nerve stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher currents and faster switching times are used to accelerate spatial coding and signal preparation, then productivity is improved, but peripheral nerve stimulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameter of the coil windings, specifically positioning turns of the first conductor section between adjacent turns of the second conductor section. This geometric parameter change modifies the electric field distribution to reduce peripheral nerve stimulation while maintaining high current and fast switching capabilities for accelerated spatial coding
2Productivity
If higher currents are used to accelerate signal preparation, then productivity is improved, but electric field intensity increases causing nerve stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameter of the coil structure by arranging conductor turns in an interlaced pattern. This parameter change redistributes the voltage differences spatially, causing electric field cancellation effects that reduce the overall electric field intensity generated during high-current operation, thereby enabling faster signal preparation without nerve stimulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high electric field effect into a beneficial cancellation effect. By strategically positioning conductor turns from different sections in close proximity, the opposing electric fields generated during high-current switching cancel each other out, transforming the harmful high electric field into a reduced effective field that allows faster signal preparation
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 design allows for higher switching times and stronger currents without stimulating peripheral nerves, enhancing the efficiency of signal preparation and information acquisition in MR devices.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coil for an MR device or for a magnetic particle imaging tomograph having a first conductor section (2) and a second conductor section (3) connected in series to the first conductor section (2), wherein the first conductor section (2) and the second conductor section (3) each have a plurality of turns
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
In summary, an invention is described in which, compared to previously known magnetic coils (1), the windings (4) are rearranged such that at least one winding (4) of a first conductor section (2) is arranged between two adjacent windings (4) of a second conductor section (3) connected in series. This rearrangement alters the electric field generated by the magnetic coil (1) compared to previously known magnetic coils (1), thereby reducing the risk of peripheral nerve stimulation during operation of the magnetic coil (1). (Fig. 7)