Automatic configuration of a low field magnetic resonance imaging system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016231403-A1
Application number	US-201615132671-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 method of dynamically adjusting a B0 magnetic field produced by a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising:
detecting a first magnetic field produced by a B0 magnet that contributes to the B0 magnetic field; and selectively operating at least one shim coil to produce a second magnetic field based on the detected first magnetic field to adjust the B0 magnetic field produced by the magnetic resonance imaging system.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a field strength for the second magnetic field based on the detected first magnetic field.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein selectively operating the at least one shim coil includes selectively operating each of a plurality of shim coils at a respective field strength determined based on the detected first magnetic field.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein selectively operating the at least one shim coil includes selectively operating at least one first shim coil and selectively not operating at least one second shim coil.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the first magnetic field is performed upon power-up of the magnetic resonance imaging system while the B0 magnet is warming up.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the first magnetic field is performed prior to the B0 magnet achieving thermal equilibrium.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the first magnetic field is performed after the magnetic resonance imaging system has been operated to acquire at least one image.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the first magnetic field is performed after the magnetic resonance imaging system has been moved to a desired location.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein selectively operating the at least one shim coil comprises adjusting the field strength produced by the at least one shim coil to produce the second magnetic field.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein adjusting the field strength produced by the at least one shim coil is performed to compensate for thermal drift of the B0 magnet.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

15 . A magnetic resonance imaging system, comprising:
a B0 magnet configured to provide a first magnetic field that contributes to a B0 magnetic field; a plurality of shim coils; at least one sensor arranged to detect the first magnetic field when the B0 magnet is operated; and at least one controller configured to selectively operate at least one of the plurality of shim coils to produce a second magnetic field based on the first magnetic field detected by the at least one sensor to adjust the B0 magnetic field produced by the magnetic resonance imaging system.

16 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one controller is configured to determine a field strength for the second magnetic field based on the first magnetic field detected by the at least one sensor.

17 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one controller is configured to selectively operate each of the plurality of shim coils at a respective field strength determined based on the first magnetic field detected by the at least one sensor.

18 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one controller is configured to selectively operate at least one first shim coil and selectively not operate at least one second shim coil.

19 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one sensor is operated to detect the first magnetic field and the controller is configured to operate the at least one of the plurality of shim coils upon power-up of the magnetic resonance imaging system while the B0 magnet is warming up.

20 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one sensor is operated to detect the first magnetic field and the controller is configured to operate the at least one of the plurality of shim coils prior to the B0 magnet achieving thermal equilibrium.

21 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one sensor is operated to detect the first magnetic field and the controller is configured to operate the at least one of the plurality of shim coils after the magnetic resonance imaging system has been operated to acquire at least one image.

22 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one sensor is operated to detect the first magnetic field and the controller is configured to operate the at least one of the plurality of shim coils when the magnetic resonance imaging system has been moved to a desired location.

23 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the at least one of the plurality of shim coils by adjusting the field strength produced by the at least one of the plurality of shim coils to produce the second magnetic field.

24 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 23 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the field strength produced by the at least one of the plurality of shim coils to compensate for thermal drift of the B0 magnet.

25 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one of the plurality of shim coils are configured to produce, at least in part, a B0 magnetic field suitable for low-field magnetic resonance imaging.

26 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

27 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

28 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the B0 magnet and the at least one shim coil are configured to produce, at least in part, 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.

29 . The magnetic resona

Assignees

• Hyperfine Res Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• G01R33/3802 Primary

  Manufacture or installation of magnet assemblies; Additional hardware for transportation or installation of the magnet assembly or for providing mechanical support to components of the magnet assembly · CPC title

• G01R33/28

  Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64 · CPC title

• H01F7/06

  Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets {(electric coils H01F5/00; devices for holding workpieces using electric force B23Q3/15; load-engaging elements for lifting articles electromagnetically B66C1/06; electromagnetic couplings F16D27/00; magnetic brakes F16D63/002; electromagnetically operated valves F16K11/24, F16K31/00; analysing materials by magnetic means G01N27/72, G01N27/80; electromagnets for winding mechanical clocks G04C1/02; electromagnetic relays H01H51/00; windings for salient poles of dynamo-electric machines H02K3/18; electromagnets for telegraphic communication H04L; for arc lamps H05B31/28)} · CPC title

• G01R33/3614

  RF power amplifiers · CPC title

• G01R33/3804 Primary

  Additional hardware for cooling or heating of the magnet assembly, for housing a cooled or heated part of the magnet assembly or for temperature control of the magnet assembly · CPC title