Automatic configuration of a low field magnetic resonance imaging system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016231402-A1
Application number	US-201615132617-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 19, 2016
Priority date	Sep 5, 2014
Publication date	Aug 11, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

In some aspects, a method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a B 0 magnet and at least one thermal management component configured to transfer heat away from the B 0 magnet during operation is provided. The method comprises providing operating power to the B 0 magnet, monitoring a temperature of the B 0 magnet to determine a current temperature of the B 0 magnet, and operating the at least one thermal management component at less than operational capacity in response to an occurrence of at least one event.

First claim

What is claimed is

1 . A low-field magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
at least one BO magnetic component configured to generate a BO field having a magnetic field strength of approximately 0.2 Tesla (T) or less; at least one communication interface that allows the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system to communicate with one or more external computing devices; and at least one processor configured to:
initiate a connection with at least one external computing device; and
exchange information with the at least one external computing device using the at least one processor.

2 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one B0 magnetic component is configured to produce a B0 magnetic field having a field strength equal to or less than approximately 0.2T and greater than or equal to approximately 0.1T.

3 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one B0 magnetic component is configured to produce a B0 magnetic field having a field strength equal to or less than approximately 0.1T and greater than or equal to approximately 50 mT.

4 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one B0 magnetic component is configured to produce a B0 magnetic field having a field strength equal to or less than approximately 50 mT and greater than or equal to approximately 20 mT.

5 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one B0 magnetic component is configured to produce a B0 magnetic field having a field strength equal to or less than approximately 20 mT and greater than or equal to approximately 10 mT.

6 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one external computing device includes a mobile computing device, and wherein exchanging information comprises providing information to the mobile computing device that facilitates operation of the magnetic resonance imaging system from the mobile computing device.

7 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the mobile computing device exchanges information while located proximate the magnetic resonance imaging system.

8 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the mobile computing device exchanges information while located in a same room as the magnetic resonance imaging system.

9 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system provides information to the mobile computing device regarding a type and/or capability of the magnetic resonance imaging system.

10 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system provides to the mobile computing device a status regarding the magnetic resonance imaging system.

11 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system provides an indication to the mobile computing device that the magnetic resonance imaging system is ready for operation.

12 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system provides to the mobile computing device information regarding at least one impediment to operating the magnetic resonance imaging system.

13 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the information regarding the at least one impediment includes at least one of the following: at least one noise source detected by the magnetic resonance imaging system, an open and/or short circuit detected within the magnetic resonance system, detection of one or more missing components, and/or indication that a start-up and/or warm-up procedure has not completed.

14 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , further comprising receiving instructions from the mobile computing device to perform at least one image acquisition process.

15 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 14 , wherein the mobile computing device comprises an interface that allows a user to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system, the method further comprising operating the magnetic resonance imaging system, via the interface on the mobile computing device, to acquire at least one image.

16 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the mobile computing device includes a tablet.

17 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the mobile computing device includes a smart phone.

18 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the mobile computing device includes a wearable device.

19 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 18 , wherein exchanging information includes receiving from the wearable device at least one physiological parameter of a wearer.

20 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 19 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter includes heart rate, an indication of heart beat and/or heart cycle, breathing rate, and/or an indication of breathing cycle.

21 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one external computing device comprises at least one processor of at least one other magnetic resonance imaging system.

22 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 21 , wherein exchanging information comprises exchanging at least one operating parameter with the at least one other magnetic resonance imaging system.

23 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 22 , wherein exchanging information comprises negotiating at least one operating parameter to avoid interference with the at least one other magnetic resonance imaging system.

24 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 21 , wherein initiating the connection includes initiating connection to the at least one other magnetic resonance imaging system via at least one network.

25 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 21 , wherein initiating the connection includes initiating connection to the at least one other magnetic resonance imaging system via device-to-device communication.

26 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one external computing device includes a remote server accessible via at least one network, and wherein initiating a connection comprises connecting to the remove server via the at least one network.

27 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 26 , wherein the remote server stores information about a plurality of magnetic resonance imaging systems.

28 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 27 , wherein the remote server is configured to coordinate activity of and/or between the plurality of magnetic resonance imaging systems.

29 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 26 , wherein exchanging information comprises receiving from the remote server information used in operating the magnetic resonance imaging system.

30 . The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system is configured to be operated in an unshielded room.

Assignees

• Hyperfine Res Inc

Inventors

• Rothberg Jonathan M
• Jordan Jeremy Christopher
• Poole Michael Stephen
• Sacolick Laura
• Rearick Todd
• Charvat Gregory L

Classifications

• G01R33/3858

  Manufacture and installation of gradient coils, means for providing mechanical support to parts of the gradient-coil assembly (manufacture of inductances or coils in general H01F41/00) · CPC title

• G01R33/3852

  Gradient amplifiers; means for controlling the application of a gradient magnetic field to the sample, e.g. a gradient signal synthesizer · CPC title

• G01R33/56

  Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques {, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution} · CPC title

• G01R33/546

  Interface between the MR system and the user, e.g. for controlling the operation of the MR system or for the design of pulse sequences · CPC title

• G01R33/3614

  RF power amplifiers · CPC title