Magnetic Resonance Mounting Structure for Eddy-Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile MRI systems face challenges during transportation due to vibrations inducing eddy currents, leading to heating and quenching of superconducting magnets, which can cause irreversible damage and lengthy downtime.

Innovation Solution

A mounting structure with elastically resilient elements, transverse supports, and low-friction slide plates to secure and stabilize the MRI system, reducing eddy current generation and ensuring the magnet remains attached during accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the MRI system is securely mounted to prevent movement during transport, then reliability is improved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to quenching from vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet stabilityVSAvoideddy current heating
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure incorporates vibration-damping elements and shock-absorbing features that are pre-installed to cushion the magnet against vibrations and shocks during transport. This beforehand cushioning reduces the amplitude of vibrations reaching the magnet, thereby minimizing eddy current heating while maintaining magnet stability and preventing quenching incidents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the magnet is allowed to move freely during transport, then vibration-induced heating is reduced, but the system becomes unstable and may detach

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current heatingVSAvoidmagnet stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure uses flexible mounting elements and vibration-damping materials that allow controlled movement of the magnet while filtering out harmful vibrations. These flexible components act as vibration isolators, permitting the magnet to move slightly to reduce eddy current heating while still providing sufficient restraint to maintain stability and prevent detachment during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a rigid mounting structure is used to secure the MRI system, then stability is improved, but the system becomes more susceptible to damage from shocks and impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet stabilityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure incorporates shock-absorbing elements and energy-dissipating features designed to cushion the magnet against sudden impacts and shocks during transport. These beforehand cushioning elements deform or absorb impact energy, protecting the magnet from damage while maintaining operational stability under normal transport conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Productivity

If the magnet is quickly secured upon arrival, then operational readiness is improved, but the risk of quenching from rapid positioning increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational readinessVSAvoidmagnet stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is designed with pre-positioned mounting points, alignment features, and quick-secure mechanisms that enable rapid positioning of the magnet upon arrival. The preliminary design of these features allows the magnet to be quickly secured in the correct position without requiring complex adjustment procedures, thereby improving operational readiness while maintaining magnet stability through pre-engineered secure mounting configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively minimizes eddy current-induced heating and ensures the MRI system's integrity and rapid redeployment after accidents, maintaining operational readiness.

Implementation Method 1

elastically resilient elements for supporting the magnetic resonance examination system on the loading surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

elastically resilient elements for supporting the magnetic resonance examination system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

low-friction slide plates on the transverse supports for contacting the magnetic resonance examination system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4641239A1Mounting structure for a magnetic resonance examination system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4641239A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641239A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4641239A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting structure (4) for a medical examination system (3), the mounting structure (4) being configured for being placed onto a loading surface (6) and comprising: elastically resilient elements (7) for supporting the medical examination system (3) on the loading surface (6), transverse supports (8) for securing the medical examination system (3) from movements parallel to the loading surface (6), and low-friction slide plates (9) on the transverse supports (8) for contacting the medical examination system (3). In this way, a more crash-resistant solution for supporting a mobile medical examination system (3) allowing it to remain suspended while ensuring it stays attached to its loading surface (6) during an accident or collision, thereby offering a solution that combines safety with operational integrity. In a preferred embodiment the medical examination system (3) is a magnetic resonance examination system (3) comprising a superconducting magnet (5).