Ultra-fast Pre-polarizing MRI Gradient Coil Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in reducing scan time and minimizing bio-effects and acoustic noise, particularly due to the slow rise and fall times of magnetic fields, which can lead to prolonged exposure and increased noise levels.
Innovation Solution
The use of fast switches and methods to drive solenoids and planar gradient coils, enabling the generation of magnetic fields with rise and fall times of less than 10 microseconds, reducing bio-effects and acoustic noise by applying high-magnitude gradients with minimal exposure and shifting sound frequencies above the human hearing range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional MRI systems use standard magnetic field rise and fall times, then the system operates reliably, but the scan time is prolonged and bio-effects and acoustic noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the magnetic field rise and fall times from conventional values to less than 10 microseconds. This is achieved through optimized gradient coil design and control parameters, enabling faster polarization and readout sequences while reducing the duration of harmful exposures and shifting acoustic noise frequencies above the human hearing range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through pulsed magnetic field sequences with optimized timing. The transient magnetic field is applied in rapid pulses with rise and fall times under 10 microseconds, creating periodic polarization and readout cycles that reduce overall scan time while minimizing continuous exposure to harmful effects
2Speed
If fast switches and gradient coils are used to reduce magnetic field rise and fall times, then scan time and bio-effects are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the gradient field generation into multiple independent gradient coils with dedicated fast switches. This modular approach allows each component to be optimized independently for speed while managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition of the gradient system
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 allows for faster MRI scans with reduced bio-effects and noise, enabling more efficient imaging and characterization of tissues or objects with minimal disruption and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The basic principle of the PMRI method is to immerse or otherwise subject an object of interest in a transient magnetic field. The purpose of said immersion is to polarize and/or align spins in the object along the direction of the transient magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
After the transient magnetic field is turned off or reduced in magnitude, the protons decay to the original spin-down state and the difference in energy between the two states is released as a photon.
Implementation Method 3
a radio frequency transmitter may be used to provide an electromagnetic field whereby photons of this field having resonance frequency, flip the spin of the aligned protons
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus generate a pre-polarizing magnetic field having a rise-time of less than about 10 microseconds and/or a fall-time of less than about 10 microseconds for immersing a tissue sample in the pre-polarized magnetic field to polarize an animal tissue sample whereby magnetic gradient and/or radio-frequency pulses may be applied in order to read out the location and/or state of the spins. A method and apparatus deliver such magnetic fields through planar coils. A method and apparatus enable guidance and propulsion of magnetic fluids.