Open Main Magnet MRI Between Adjacent Rooms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional open magnet MRI apparatuses do not effectively utilize the magnetic field generated outside the imaging space, considering it harmful and requiring magnetic field shields, which limits the imaging capabilities for patients with claustrophobia.
Innovation Solution
The MRI system incorporates an open main magnet disposed between adjacent examination rooms, allowing the main magnetic field to be shared and utilized in both rooms, with separate gradient and RF coils for each room, and correction magnets to improve field uniformity, eliminating the need for magnetic field shields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an open magnet MRI apparatus is used to provide open imaging space for patients with claustrophobia, then the imaging accessibility is improved, but the magnetic field generated outside the imaging space cannot be effectively utilized and requires magnetic field shields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the main magnet to serve dual purposes: generating magnetic fields for imaging in the first examination room while simultaneously generating usable magnetic fields in the second examination room. This eliminates the need for magnetic field shields and allows one magnet to perform multiple imaging functions across adjacent rooms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful or wasted magnetic field generated outside the imaging space into a beneficial resource. Instead of requiring shields to suppress the external magnetic field, the invention positions a second examination room to utilize this external field for imaging, transforming what was considered a problem into a useful asset.
2Device complexity
If a single main magnet is disposed between adjacent examination rooms to share the magnetic field, then the device complexity is reduced by eliminating shields, but the magnetic field uniformity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing separate correction magnets for each examination room. These correction magnets are positioned to specifically address and correct magnetic field non-uniformities in their respective rooms, ensuring high field uniformity in each local imaging space while maintaining the overall simplified structure of sharing a single main magnet.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate gradient coils and RF coils are provided for each examination room, then the imaging independence is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the imaging system into independent components for each examination room. Each room has its own gradient coils and RF coils, allowing independent imaging operations. This segmentation enables simultaneous or independent imaging in both rooms while sharing the common main magnet infrastructure, balancing independence with overall system simplicity.
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 configuration enables effective use of the magnetic field outside the imaging space, reducing the need for shields and improving imaging capabilities for patients with claustrophobia by creating an open imaging space.
Implementation Method 1
an open main magnet configured to generate a main magnetic field for dominantly determining a magnetic resonance frequency
Implementation Method 2
a gradient coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
an RF coil configured to generate a radio frequency magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
reconstructs an image on the basis of magnetic resonance (MR) signals emitted from the object due to the excitation
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an MRI system includes at least one magnetic field assembly and at least one image generator. The at least one magnetic field assembly includes an open main magnet configured to generate a main magnetic field for dominantly determining a magnetic resonance frequency, a gradient coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field, and an RF coil configured to generate a radio frequency magnetic field. The at least one image generator is configured to generate a magnetic resonance image of an object by using the main magnetic field, the gradient magnetic field, and the radio frequency magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic field assembly. The main magnet is disposed between adjacent examination rooms. The main magnetic field generated by the open main magnet is commonly used in each of the adjacent examination rooms.