Lightweight asymmetric array of magnet elements
AssigneeEpsitau Ltd.
InventorNoam Haham Hay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnet array (700) includes multiple magnet rings (711-720) and a frame. The multiple magnet rings are positioned along a longitudinal axis and coaxially with the longitudinal axis, wherein at least one (712, 713, 719) of the magnet rings possesses rotational symmetry and has both a finite component of magnetization along an azimuthal (θ) coordinate, and a finite magnetization in a longitudinal-radial plane. The multiple magnet rings are configured to jointly generate a magnetic field along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The frame is configured to fixedly hold the multiple magnet rings in place.
Claims20
A magnet array for use in a brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, the magnet array comprising:
- multiple magnet elements, which are made of a permanent magnet material, and which are dispersed around a longitudinal axis passing through a predefined imaging volume of the MRI system, wherein a group of at least some of the magnet elements encircle the imaging volume, wherein the magnet elements are divided into (i) a first assembly characterized by a first minimal inner radius that is smallest among distances between the magnet elements of the first assembly and the longitudinal axis, and (ii) a second assembly positioned on a first side of the imaging volume and alongside the first assembly along the longitudinal axis and characterized by a second minimal inner radius that is smallest among the distances between the magnet elements of the second assembly and the longitudinal axis, wherein the first minimal inner radius of the first assembly is larger than the second minimal inner radius of the second assembly, wherein a center of the imaging volume is located outside the second assembly, and wherein second minimal inner radius is larger than zero, the magnet elements configured to jointly generate a magnetic field of at least a given level of uniformity inside the imaging volume;
- and a frame, which is configured to fixedly hold the multiple magnet elements in place.
A method for producing a magnet array for use in a brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, the method comprising:
- positioning multiple magnet elements, which are made of a permanent magnet material, and which are dispersed around a longitudinal axis passing through a predefined imaging volume of the MRI system, wherein a group of at least some of the magnet elements encircle the imaging volume, wherein the magnet elements are divided into (i) a first assembly characterized by a first minimal inner radius that is smallest among distances between the magnet elements of the first assembly and the longitudinal axis, and (ii) a second assembly positioned on a first side of the imaging volume and alongside the first assembly along the longitudinal axis and characterized by a second minimal inner radius that is smallest among the distances between the magnet elements of the second assembly and the longitudinal axis, wherein the first minimal inner radius of the first assembly is larger than the second minimal inner radius of the second assembly, wherein a center of the imaging volume is located outside the second assembly and wherein the second minimal inner radius is larger than zero, the magnet elements configured to jointly generate a magnetic field of at least a given level of uniformity inside the imaging volume;
- and
- fixedly holding the multiple magnet elements in place using a frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.