# US 10,310,038 B2 · System and method for supplying electrical power to a gradient amplifier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,038 B2 - Document ID: US10310038B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/163,193 - Filed: 2016-05-24 - Published: 2017-11-30 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-24 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Margaret Ann Wiza; Melissa Jean Freeman; Syed Saad Asif Ali; Douglas John Link; Michael Thomas Rose; Tanzania Samone Sewell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310038B2 ## CPC - G01R 33/3852: {Gradient amplifiers; means for controlling the application of a gradient magnetic field to the sample, e.g. a gradient signal synthesizer} - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract A method for supplying electrical power to a gradient amplifier that drives a gradient coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The method includes predicting a gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a scan based at least in part on a gradient coil model. The method further includes calculating a voltage set point for a power supply based at least in part on the predicted gradient voltage. The method further includes providing electrical power to the gradient amplifier via the power supply based at least in part on the calculated voltage set point. The gradient coil model is based at least in part on historical data acquired prior to the scan. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for supplying electrical power to a gradient amplifier that drives a gradient coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising: predicting a gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a scan based at least in part on a gradient coil model that is based at least in part on historical data acquired prior to the scan; calculating a voltage set point for a power supply based at least in part on the predicted gradient voltage; and providing electrical power to the gradient amplifier via the power supply based at least in part on the calculated voltage set point; wherein predicting the gradient voltage comprises calculating a voltage waveform based at least in part on a representative coil current waveform and the gradient coil model. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: changing the representative coil current waveform; and predicting a subsequent gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a subsequent scan. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein predicting a gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a scan based at least in part on a gradient coil model further comprises: calculating a maximum voltage based at least in part on the calculated voltage waveform. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein calculating a voltage set point for a power supply based at least in part on the predicted gradient voltage comprises: adjusting the calculated maximum voltage based as least in part on a compensation voltage. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein providing electrical power to the gradient amplifier via the power supply based at least in part on the calculated voltage set point occurs prior to a beginning of the scan. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the gradient coil model is based at least in part on a gradient coil impedance factor. ### Claim 7 A gradient driver for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the gradient driver comprising: a gradient amplifier configured to drive a gradient coil in the magnetic resonance imaging system; a controller configured to electronically communicate with a power supply that provides electrical power to the gradient amplifier based at least in part on a voltage set point, and to calculate the voltage set point based at least in part on a gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a scan; and wherein the controller is further configured to predict the gradient voltage based at least in part on a voltage waveform calculated by the controller based at least in part on a representative coil waveform and a gradient coil model derived from historical data. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The gradient driver of claim 7, wherein the controller changes the representative coil current waveform, and predicts a subsequent gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a subsequent scan. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The gradient driver of claim 7, wherein the predicted gradient voltage is further based at least in part on a maximum voltage calculated by the controller based at least in part on the calculated voltage waveform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The gradient driver of claim 9, wherein the controller calculates the voltage set point by adjusting the calculated maximum voltage based at least in part on a compensation voltage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The gradient driver of claim 7, wherein the power supply is configured to provide electrical power to the gradient amplifier based at least in part on the voltage set point prior to a beginning of the scan. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The gradient driver of claim 7, wherein the gradient coil model is based at least in part on a gradient coil impedance factor. ### Claim 13 A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a magnet assembly that includes a gradient coil; a gradient amplifier configured to drive the gradient coil; a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the gradient amplifier based at least in part on a voltage set point; an MRI controller configured to electronically communicate with the power supply and to calculate the voltage set point based at least in part on a gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a scan; and wherein the MRI controller is further configured to predict the gradient voltage via calculating a maximum voltage from a voltage waveform derived by applying a representative coil current waveform to a gradient coil model derived from historical data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 13, wherein the MRI controller calculates a subsequent voltage set point via predicting a subsequent gradient voltage required to drive the gradient coil for a subsequent scan by applying the gradient coil model to a subsequent representative coil current waveform corresponding to the subsequent scan. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 13, wherein the MRI controller changes the representative coil current waveform, and calculates a subsequent voltage set point via predicting a subsequent gradient voltage during the scan. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 13, wherein the MRI controller adjusts the calculated maximum voltage based at least in part on a compensation voltage. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 13, wherein the gradient coil model is based at least in part on a gradient impedance factor.