MRI Vibration Isolator with Dynamic Spring Damper Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vibration of the gradient coil in MRI apparatuses propagates to the static magnetic field magnet, increasing noise due to the limited effectiveness of existing vibration isolators in attenuating vibrations across diverse pulse sequences.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vibration isolator with a plurality of vibration-proof materials composed of pairs of springs and dampers, arranged circumferentially and in height, dynamically controlled by processing circuitry to adjust softness/hardness based on the type of pulse sequence, thereby attenuating vibration propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vibration isolator is placed between the static magnetic field magnet and the gradient coil, then vibration propagation is attenuated, but the isolator cannot effectively handle diverse pulse sequences with different vibration characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolator employs vibration-proof materials with dynamically adjustable properties. The materials can change their vibration attenuation characteristics in real-time based on the pulse sequence type, allowing the same isolator to effectively handle diverse pulse sequences with different vibration frequencies and amplitudes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration-proof materials undergo parameter changes in response to control signals. By adjusting parameters such as stiffness and damping coefficients, the isolator adapts its vibration attenuation characteristics to match the specific requirements of different pulse sequences, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed attenuation and adaptive performance.
2Device complexity
If fixed physical properties are assigned to the vibration isolator, then the structure is simple, but the vibration attenuation performance is insufficient for diverse pulse sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolator transitions from a static structure with fixed properties to a dynamic system where the vibration-proof materials can adjust their characteristics in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the isolator to maintain optimal vibration attenuation performance across different pulse sequences without requiring multiple fixed isolators.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator utilizes materials whose physical parameters (such as stiffness and damping) can be changed through control signals. This allows the same physical structure to achieve varying vibration attenuation characteristics, effectively resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptive performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the vibration isolator uses fixed vibration-proof materials, then the design is straightforward, but noise suppression is insufficient for different pulse sequence types
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolator incorporates materials that can dynamically adjust their vibration damping characteristics. This dynamic property allows the same isolator design to provide optimized noise suppression for different pulse sequence types, overcoming the limitation of fixed-material designs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration-proof materials undergo parameter changes in response to control signals, enabling the isolator to adapt its noise suppression characteristics to match the specific vibration patterns of different pulse sequences. This resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and effective noise suppression across diverse applications.
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 solution effectively suppresses noise caused by gradient coil vibrations by dynamically adjusting the vibration-proof materials' properties according to the pulse sequence, ensuring improved image quality in MRI scans.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration isolator includes a plurality of vibration-proof materials provided in a circumferential direction of a cylindrical body of the static magnetic field magnet and in a height direction of a cylindrical body, each of the vibration-proof materials being composed of a pair of a spring and a damper
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes: a cylindrical static magnetic field magnet; a cylindrical gradient coil; a vibration isolator; and processing circuitry. The cylindrical static magnetic field magnet is configured to generate a static magnetic field. The cylindrical gradient coil is installed inside the static magnetic field magnet. The cylindrical gradient coil is configured to generate a gradient magnetic field. The vibration isolator is disposed between the static magnetic field magnet and the gradient coil. The vibration isolator includes a plurality of vibration-proof materials provided in a circumferential direction of a cylindrical body of the static magnetic field magnet and in a height direction of the cylindrical body, each of the vibration-proof materials being composed of a pair of a spring and a damper. The processing circuitry is configured to control springs and dampers constituting the plurality of vibration-proof materials according to a type of pulse sequence.