Portable MRI System Using Permanent Magnet Halbach Array
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI systems are heavy, immobile, and require helium venting, limiting their portability and flexibility due to the use of superconducting magnet systems and struggles with magnetic field uniformity and RF power demands.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging system utilizing a lightweight magnetic field generator with permanent magnets arranged in multiple rings, allowing for greater control over the magnetic field profile, reduced power consumption, and innovative coil and synchronization designs to enhance portability and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If superconducting magnet systems are used to achieve high magnetic field strength and uniformity, then image quality is improved, but system weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of generating a magnetic field from the complex superconducting magnet system and implements it using permanent magnets arranged in a Halbach array configuration. This removes the need for superconducting materials, liquid helium cooling systems, and associated heavy infrastructure, achieving portability while maintaining adequate magnetic field characteristics for MRI
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field strength parameter from the conventional 1.5T or 3T to a lower field strength that can be achieved with permanent magnets. This parameter change enables the use of lightweight permanent magnet assemblies instead of heavy superconducting systems, trading some magnetic field strength for significant weight reduction and portability
2Measurement precision
If superconducting magnet systems are used to achieve high magnetic field uniformity, then signal quality is improved, but portability is lost due to helium venting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the helium cooling system and associated venting infrastructure from the MRI system by using permanent magnets that generate magnetic fields without requiring cryogenic temperatures. This extraction of the cooling subsystem enables portable deployment in locations without dedicated helium venting capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts lower magnetic field uniformity compared to superconducting systems and uses software-based correction methods and optimized pulse sequences that are tolerant of field inhomogeneities. This approach trades hardware perfection for software flexibility, enabling portable applications
3Measurement precision
If magnetic field strength is increased to improve signal, then image quality is improved, but RF transmit power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating magnetic field strength to a lower value that can be achieved with permanent magnets. This parameter change reduces the Larmor frequency and consequently reduces the RF transmit power required to achieve adequate signal levels, making the system more energy-efficient and suitable for portable operation
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 system achieves a lightweight, portable MRI system with comparable image quality to conventional systems, improved magnetic field control, and reduced power usage, addressing the challenges of field uniformity and RF power demands.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of permanent magnet segments, each having a magnetization direction, attached to said body to generate a magnetic field profile within said opening
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method of magnetic resonance imaging. The preferred MRI system is of lower weight and/or uses less power than conventional MRI systems, due to one or more of magnet design, transmit and receive coil design, selection of RF pulse sequence, synchronization methods, and image reconstruction methods. Preferably, the MRI system is portable.