# US 10,371,773 B2 · Low-field magnetic resonance imaging methods and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,773 B2 - Document ID: US10371773B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/130,712 - Filed: 2018-09-13 - Published: 2019-01-10 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-22 - Assignees: Hyperfine Research, Inc. - Applicants: Hyperfine Research, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Stephen Poole; Cedric Hugon; Hadrien A. Dyvorne; Laura Sacolick; William J. Mileski; Jeremy Christopher Jordan; Alan B. Katze, Jr.; Jonathan M. Rothberg; Todd Rearick; Christopher Thomas McNulty - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371773B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging - A61B 6/4405: {the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley} - A61B 50/13: Trolleys{, e.g. carts} - A61B 90/00: Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges - A61G 13/104: {Adaptations for table mobility, e.g. arrangement of wheels} - G01R 33/34092: {RF coils specially adapted for NMR spectrometers} - G01R 33/38: Systems for generation, homogenisation or stabilisation of the main or gradient magnetic field - G01R 33/383: using permanent magnets - 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 33/389: Field stabilisation {, e.g. by field measurements and control means or indirectly by current stabilisation} - G01R 33/4215: {of the gradient magnetic field, e.g. using passive or active shielding of the gradient magnetic field} - G01R 33/445: {MR involving a non-standard magnetic field B0, e.g. of low magnitude as in the earth's magnetic field or in nanoTesla spectroscopy, comprising a polarizing magnetic field for pre-polarisation, B0 with a temporal variation of its magnitude or direction such as field cycling of B0 or rotation of the direction of B0, or spatially inhomogeneous B0 like in fringe-field MR or in stray-field imaging} - G01R 33/48: NMR imaging systems - G01R 33/5608: {Data processing and visualization specially adapted for MR, e.g. for feature analysis and pattern recognition on the basis of measured MR data, segmentation of measured MR data, edge contour detection on the basis of measured MR data, for enhancing measured MR data in terms of signal-to-noise ratio by means of noise filtering or apodization, for enhancing measured MR data in terms of resolution by means for deblurring, windowing, zero filling, or generation of gray-scaled images, colour-coded images or images displaying vectors instead of pixels (image data processing or generation, in general G06T)} - A61B 2560/0431: Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case - G01R 33/3642: {Mutual coupling or decoupling of multiple coils, e.g. decoupling of a receive coil from a transmission coil, or intentional coupling of RF coils, e.g. for RF magnetic field amplification} - G01R 33/3657: {Decoupling of multiple RF coils wherein the multiple RF coils do not have the same function in MR, e.g. decoupling of a transmission coil from a receive coil} - G01R 33/3802: {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} - G01R 33/3806: {Open magnet assemblies for improved access to the sample, e.g. C-type or U-type magnets} - G01R 33/385: using gradient magnetic field coils - G01R 33/3854: {means for active and/or passive vibration damping or acoustical noise suppression in gradient magnet coil systems} - G01R 33/3873: using ferromagnetic bodies {; Passive shimming} - G01R 33/422: of the radio frequency field - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract According to some aspects, a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising, a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a low-field strength of less than 0.2 Tesla (T), a plurality of gradient coils configured to, when operated, generate magnetic fields to provide spatial encoding of magnetic resonance signals, and at least one radio frequency coil configured to, when operated, transmit radio frequency signals to a field of view of the magnetic resonance imaging system and to respond to magnetic resonance signals emitted from the field of view, a power system comprising one or more power components configured to provide power to the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition, and a power connection configured to connect to a single-phase outlet to receive mains electricity and deliver the mains electricity to the power system to provide power needed to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system. According to some aspects, the power system operates the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 1.6 kilowatts during image acquisition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A low-field magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising: a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a field strength of less than 0.2 Tesla (T); a plurality of gradient coils configured to, when operated, generate magnetic fields to provide spatial encoding of magnetic resonance signals; and at least one radio frequency coil configured to, when operated, transmit radio frequency signals to a field of view of the magnetic resonance imaging system and to respond to magnetic resonance signals emitted from the field of view; and a power system comprising: one or more power components configured to provide power to the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition; and a power connection configured to connect to a single-phase outlet to receive mains electricity and deliver the mains electricity to the power system to provide power needed to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein the power system is configured to operate the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system only using power supplied from the single-phase outlet during image acquisition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 110 and 120 volts and rated at least to 30 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 110 and 120 volts and rated at least to 20 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 110 and 120 volts and rated at least to 15 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 220 and 240 volts and rated at least to 30 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 220 and 240 volts and rated at least to 20 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 220 and 240 volts and rated at least to 15 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power connection is configured to connect to a single-phase outlet providing approximately between 220 and 240 volts and rated at least to 12 amperes, and wherein the power system is capable of providing the power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system from power provided by the single-phase outlet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power system comprises at least one power supply configured to receive alternating current (AC) power from a wall outlet in a range between 85 volts and 250 volts at approximately 50-60 Hertz and convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 9, wherein the power system comprises at least one power supply configured to receive AC power from a single-phase wall outlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power system operates the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 3 kilowatts during image acquisition. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power system operates the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 2 kilowatts during image acquisition. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power system operates the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 1 kilowatt during image acquisition. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the power system operates the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 750 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the B0 magnet is configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at very low-field strength of less than 0.1 T and greater than or equal to approximately 20 mT. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the B0 magnet is configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a very low-field strength of less than 0.1 T and greater than or equal to approximately 50 mT. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the B0 magnet is configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a very low-field strength of less than or equal to approximately 50 mT and greater than or equal to approximately 20 mT. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the B0 magnet is configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a very low-field strength of less than or equal to approximately 20 mT and greater than or equal to approximately 10 mT. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more power components comprises a first power amplifier to provide power to a first gradient coil, a second power amplifier to provide power to a second gradient coil, and a third power amplifier to provide power to a third gradient coil that together form a gradient system for the low-field magnetic resonance system, and wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 1 kilowatt during image acquisition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 19, wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 500 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 19, wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 200 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 19, wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 100 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 19, further comprising a base supporting the B0 magnet, the first gradient coil, the second gradient coil and the third gradient coil, and housing the first power amplifier, the second power amplifier, and the third power amplifier. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more power components comprises a first power amplifier to provide power to at least one radio frequency coil to form a radio frequency transmit system for the low-field magnetic resonance system, and wherein the radio frequency transmit system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 250 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 24, wherein the radio frequency transmit system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 100 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 24, wherein the radio frequency transmit system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 50 watts during image acquisition. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system of claim 23, further comprising a conveyance mechanism that allows the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system to be transported to desired locations. ### Claim 28 A low-field magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising: a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a low-field strength of less than 0.2 Tesla (T); a plurality of gradient coils configured to, when operated, generate magnetic fields to provide spatial encoding of emitted magnetic resonance signals; and at least one radio frequency coil configured to, when operated, transmit radio frequency signals to a field of view of the magnetic resonance imaging system and to respond to magnetic resonance signals emitted from the field of view; and a power system comprising one or more power components configured to provide power to the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition, only using an average number of watts less than or equal to a number of watts provided by the single-phase outlet.