Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus with Movable Patient Bed for Extended Measurement Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) apparatuses require a large number of superconducting coils and high technical effort to achieve a large, homogeneous measurement volume, leading to increased size and cost, and often result in a measurement volume smaller than the examination region of a patient.
Innovation Solution
The MR apparatus employs a basic field magnet with a cylindrical homogeneity region and a movable patient bed controlled by a unit, allowing for a virtual total measurement volume greater than the real cylindrical measurement volume, optimizing the utilization of the examination region with minimal size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large number of superconducting coils are used to generate a large homogeneous measurement volume, then the measurement volume size is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement volume into multiple smaller homogeneous regions (first measurement volume, second measurement volume, etc.) that can be sequentially examined. Each region can be covered by a simpler magnet configuration, and the complete examination is achieved by combining results from multiple segmented examinations, avoiding the need for a single large complex magnet system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from examining a single large measurement volume to examining multiple smaller volumes along the longitudinal axis (z-direction) of the patient bed. By moving the patient bed through different positions, the system accesses different homogeneous regions sequentially, effectively expanding the total measurable volume without increasing the physical size of the magnet system.
2Volume of moving object
If a large number of superconducting coils are used to achieve large measurement volume, then the measurement volume is improved, but the size and cost of the MR apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The examination is segmented into multiple smaller measurement volumes that can be covered by a compact magnet system. The patient bed moves through different positions to access different homogeneous regions, allowing the same compact apparatus to effectively examine a larger total volume through sequential positioning rather than requiring a large physical apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the longitudinal dimension by moving the patient bed along the z-axis to access different homogeneous regions. This allows the measurement volume to be extended in the longitudinal direction through positional changes rather than by increasing the physical dimensions of the magnet system, keeping the apparatus compact while maintaining large effective measurement capability.
3Volume of moving object
If the measurement volume is increased to cover large examination regions, then the examination capability is improved, but the number of individual examinations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large examination region into multiple smaller homogeneous measurement volumes. By systematically moving the patient bed through different positions, the system can cover the entire examination region through a structured sequence of examinations, improving efficiency through systematic coverage rather than requiring a single large-volume examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the longitudinal dimension by positioning the patient bed at different locations along the z-axis to access different homogeneous regions. This allows multiple measurement volumes to be examined in a systematic sequence, improving productivity by enabling efficient coverage of large examination regions through positional variation rather than requiring multiple separate examination sessions.
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 approach enables examinations with a maximum virtual total measurement volume while minimizing the size and production costs of the MR apparatus, allowing for efficient examination of larger subjects with fewer individual examinations and reduced radius loss.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting basic field magnet that conventionally is formed of multiple superconducting coils
Implementation Method 2
The coils are typically arranged such that the homogeneous region that predetermines the maximum measurement volume has a spherical shape
Implementation Method 3
a movable patient bed; and a control unit to control the movable patient bed
Implementation Method 4
magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method that produce a virtual total cylindrical maximum real measurement volume
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance apparatus has a basic field magnet that generates a basic magnetic field with a homogeneity region of the basic magnetic field in which the basic magnetic field is homogeneous and with a maximum real measurement volume contained in the homogeneity region. The apparatus has a movable patient bed and a control unit that controls the movable patient bed. The maximum measurement volume thereby exhibits a cylindrical shape. A virtual total measurement volume that is greater than the maximum real cylindrical measurement volume can be generated by the control unit together with the movable patient bed.