Patent · US Active

Magnetic assembly and method for defining a magnetic field for an imaging volume

US9255978B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
38References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 2014
Grant dateFeb 9, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01F7/0278
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a magnet assembly that includes at least two magnets arranged in a fixed spaced relationship with one another thereby to define a space between the magnets that encompasses an imaging volume. Each of the magnets produces a variety of magnetic field strengths across inward-facing surfaces thereof that, in combination, produce an acceptably homogeneous magnetic field in the imaging volume. Also disclosed is a method of defining a magnetic field for an imaging volume. The method comprises generating an initial model of a magnet assembly; estimating a magnetic field for the imaging volume based on the model; calculating deviation between the estimated magnetic field and a target magnetic field for the imaging volume; and updating the model to reduce the deviation by modifying the magnet assembly to produce a variety of magnetic field strengths that, in combination, produce substantially the target magnetic field in the imaging volume.

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