MRI Heat Input Allocation for Superconducting Magnet Quench Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rise in helium prices and the use of low-capacity refrigerants in superconducting MRI apparatuses lead to increased Gradient Coil Induced Heating (GCIH), which can cause quenching, necessitating conventional techniques to halt imaging before it occurs, thereby compromising imaging quality over time.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with processing circuitry that calculates an allowable heat input for each imaging session, determining optimal imaging conditions to prevent quenching and ensure consistent image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a low-capacity refrigerant is adopted to reduce helium capacity, then refrigerant cost is reduced, but the risk of quenching increases due to insufficient heat absorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of GCIH and allowable heat input before imaging begins. The management unit determines the allowable heat input for each imaging based on the refrigerant capacity and distributes this allowance across multiple imagings, preventing quenching by ensuring no single imaging exceeds the thermal budget of the limited refrigerant system.
2Reliability
If imaging is halted before quenching occurs using conventional techniques, then quenching risk is reduced, but imaging quality deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines imaging conditions based on real-time heat input calculations. The management unit calculates the allowable heat input for each imaging and adjusts imaging parameters accordingly, allowing imaging to continue as long as the thermal budget is not exceeded, thereby maintaining imaging quality while preventing quenching.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple imagings are performed under favorable conditions, then initial imaging quality is maintained, but subsequent imaging conditions become severer
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of allowable heat input distribution across multiple imagings. By calculating and allocating a total heat input budget that is divided among multiple imaging sessions, the system ensures that each imaging receives an appropriate thermal allowance, maintaining consistent imaging conditions and quality throughout the examination period.
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 allows for efficient and high-quality imaging by distributing heat input evenly across multiple sessions, reducing the risk of quenching and minimizing the need for resetting imaging conditions, thus enhancing examination efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A superconducting magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (superconducting MRI apparatus) uses, for example, helium as a refrigerant for a superconducting coil
Implementation Method 2
the application of a gradient field in imaging causes an induced current in, for example, a superconducting coil inside a superconducting magnet
Implementation Method 3
generated heat can be absorbed by evaporation of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an allowable amount of heat input to a superconducting magnet, the allowable amount being allocated to each of a plurality of imagings scheduled during a target period. The processing circuitry is configured to determine an imaging condition based on the allowable amount in the each of the plurality of imagings.