MRI Magnet Arrangement for Shorter Patient Bore and Lower Support Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance devices are bulky and require significant structural modifications for installation, making them unsuitable for smaller medical institutions, and the cost of shorter patient bores increases due to the need for customized support structures and higher electromagnetic forces.
Innovation Solution
A magnet arrangement comprising superconducting coils, reversed superconducting coils, and ferromagnetic elements that modify inter-coil forces to allow for a shorter patient bore without compromising magnetic field homogeneity, using reversed superconducting coils to invert electromagnetic forces and ferromagnetic elements to provide magnetic shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length of the patient bore is decreased, then the device becomes more compact and suitable for smaller medical institutions, but the cost increases due to customized support structures and higher electromagnetic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters by introducing reversed superconducting coils that generate opposing magnetic fields. This parameter change modifies the force distribution within the magnet system, allowing shorter bore lengths without requiring disproportionate support structures. The reversed coils alter the fundamental electromagnetic characteristics to achieve compact design while controlling forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic forces and repulsion effects into beneficial outcomes by strategically placing ferromagnetic elements that redirect these forces. The repulsive forces between superconducting coils, which would normally require heavy support structures, are transformed into useful magnetic field configurations that enable shorter bore lengths with reduced structural requirements.
2Length of moving object
If the length of the patient bore is decreased, then the device footprint is reduced, but the weight of the magnet support structure increases due to unconventional force distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful electromagnetic repulsion forces into beneficial structural support. Ferromagnetic elements are positioned to attract the repulsive forces generated by reversed superconducting coils, transforming these previously harmful forces into useful compressive forces that reduce the weight requirements of the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ferromagnetic elements as counterweights that balance the unconventional force distributions created by shortened bore lengths and reversed superconducting coils. These ferromagnetic elements provide counteracting forces that reduce the net load on the support structure, enabling compact design without excessive weight.
3Length of moving object
If reversed superconducting coils are used to invert electromagnetic forces, then shorter patient bore is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnet system into distinct functional modules: main superconducting coils for primary field generation, reversed superconducting coils for force inversion, and ferromagnetic elements for force redirection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design and manufacturing process despite the increased functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ferromagnetic elements as intermediaries between the reversed superconducting coils and the support structure. These intermediaries mediate the force interactions, simplifying the design by providing a clear interface that converts complex electromagnetic forces into manageable mechanical loads without requiring the support structure to directly handle unconventional force distributions.
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 the reduction of the patient bore length while maintaining magnetic field homogeneity, reducing the weight and cost of the magnet support structure, and facilitating installation in smaller medical facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a main magnet comprising a plurality of superconducting coils (31b-d)
Implementation Method 2
a reversed superconducting coil (32) arranged adjacent to the end coil (31), wherein the reversed superconducting coil (32) is configured to invert inter-coil forces within the main magnet (12)
Implementation Method 3
a ferromagnetic element (33) arranged between the reversed superconducting coil (32) and the end coil (31)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a magnet arrangement for a magnetic resonance imaging device, which comprises a main magnet including a plurality of superconducting coils, a reversed superconducting coil, and a ferromagnetic element. The reversed superconducting coil is arranged between two superconducting coils of the plurality of superconducting coils, and the ferromagnetic element is arranged between the reversed superconducting coil and one of the plurality of superconducting coils.