Patent · US Expired

Quiet magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

US5617026A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
13References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 16, 1994
Grant dateApr 1, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R33/54
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A gradient magnetic field generation apparatus for generating a gradient magnetic field in a space in which an inspection object is placed includes at least one gradient magnetic field coil and a retaining member of the coil which undergoes deformation vibration by an electromagnetic force generated when a current is caused to flow through the coil. This apparatus generates noise and vibration whenever a pulse current is applied to the coil, because an electromagnetic force develops in the coil due to the pulse current and the coil as well as the retaining member of the coil undergo deformation and vibration. Therefore, a force which inhibits this deformation and vibration is applied to the retaining member so as to prevent deformation and vibration of the coil and the retaining member and to keep their shapes constant. In a preferred embodiment, a piezoelectric device is fixed to the retaining member without damping, and the force for inhibiting deformation and vibration of the retaining member is applied by controlling a voltage applied to the piezoelectric device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.