Static Field Magnet Layout for Open MRI Patient Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI apparatuses, both cylindrical and open types, face challenges with claustrophobia in patients and limited access during medical procedures due to the circular shape of loop coils, necessitating larger diameters that increase confinement and difficulty in accessing patients.
Innovation Solution
The use of rectangular parallelepiped static field magnets with non-overlapping loop coils arranged along a specific direction to generate a static magnetic field, allowing for an asymmetrically shaped imaging region that is wider in the longitudinal direction and narrower in the lateral direction, facilitating easy access and reducing confinement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the diameter of circular loop coils is increased to expand the imaging region, then the imaging region is expanded, but the static field magnet diameter increases causing a sense of confinement and difficulty in accessing the object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the coil shape from circular to rectangular and arranging them non-coaxially. The rectangular loop coils have different dimensions in different directions, allowing the imaging region to be expanded in the longitudinal direction without proportionally increasing the magnet diameter in all directions. This asymmetric configuration enables adequate imaging coverage while maintaining easier access to the object during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a circular cross-section configuration to a rectangular cross-section configuration by arranging rectangular loop coils non-coaxially. This dimensional change allows the imaging region to be elongated in the longitudinal direction while keeping the lateral dimensions more compact, thereby expanding the imaging region without proportionally increasing overall magnet size and maintaining accessibility.
2Area of stationary object
If circular loop coils are used in open MRI apparatus, then the imaging region can be formed, but the shape gives a sense of oppression to patients with claustrophobia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the symmetric circular coil configuration with an asymmetric rectangular coil arrangement. The rectangular shape with non-coaxial positioning creates a more open and less confining imaging space, reducing the sense of oppression for patients while still providing adequate imaging region coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from circular to rectangular geometry and implementing non-coaxial arrangement, the patent creates a different spatial configuration that opens up the imaging space. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the enclosed feeling associated with circular designs while maintaining necessary imaging capabilities.
3Length of moving object
If the diameter of static field magnets is increased to expand imaging region, then the imaging region is expanded, but it becomes difficult to access the object during medical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The rectangular loop coils with non-coaxial arrangement create an asymmetric magnetic field distribution that allows extended imaging coverage in the longitudinal direction. This asymmetric configuration strategically expands the imaging region where needed while maintaining more compact dimensions in other directions, preserving accessibility during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dimensional reconfiguration by arranging rectangular coils non-coaxially to achieve extended imaging length without proportionally increasing the magnet diameter. This allows the imaging region to be expanded in the critical longitudinal direction while keeping the overall footprint and access paths more manageable.
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 easier access to patients during imaging and reduces the sense of oppression, while maintaining a wide imaging region, particularly beneficial for procedures like PCI.
Implementation Method 1
at least one loop coil pair that includes a first loop coil configured to be supplied with a first electric current in a first direction, and a second loop coil configured to be supplied with a second electric current in a second direction opposite to the first direction... the loop coil pair is configured to generate a static magnetic field parallel to the primary direction
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a static field magnet to be used for MRI includes at least one loop coil pair including: a first loop coil to be supplied with an electric current in a first direction; and a second loop coil to be supplied with an electric current in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein: the first and second loop coils are arranged such that a first coil plane and a second coil plane are along a primary direction without overlapping each other, the primary direction being included in a primary plane, the first coil plane being a planar area surrounded by a first loop that forms the first loop coil, the second coil plane being a planar area surrounded by a second loop that forms the second loop coil; and the loop coil pair is configured to generate a static magnetic field parallel to the primary direction.