Title :
Design and Optimization of Superconducting MRI Magnet Systems With Magnetic Materials
Author :
Tadic, T. ; Fallone, B.G.
Author_Institution :
Med. Phys. Dept., Cross Cancer Inst., Edmonton, AB, Canada
fDate :
4/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We present a method for the optimal design of superconducting magnet systems for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The method integrates a linear-programming technique with the finite-element method (FEM) to calculate minimum-volume coil configurations subject to magnetic field homogeneity constraints for MRI systems that contain general nonaxisymmetric magnetic yoke structures. The method rapidly converges and only requires a small number of iterations and FEM analyses to be performed. In particular, the method is well suited for magnet design problems that necessitate large 3-D FEM models. We demonstrate the method with the optimal design of an open and compact 0.5 T yoked biplanar magnet assembly considered for use in an integrated medical linear accelerator and MRI system. In particular, the coil configuration for this magnet design is constructed from a MgB2 high-temperature superconducting material that operates in a conduction-cooled cryogen-free environment.
Keywords :
biomedical MRI; convergence of numerical methods; finite element analysis; high-temperature superconductors; linear programming; magnesium compounds; superconducting coils; superconducting magnets; 3D FEM model; MgB2; biplanar magnet assembly; conduction-cooled cryogen-free environment; finite-element method; high-temperature superconducting material; integrated medical linear accelerator; linear-programming technique; magnetic field homogeneity constraints; magnetic flux density 0.5 T; magnetic resonance imaging; minimum-volume coil configurations; nonaxisymmetric magnetic yoke structures; rapid convergence; superconducting MRI magnet system design; superconducting MRI magnet system optimisation; Coils; Finite element methods; Magnetic fields; Magnetic noise; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic shielding; Superconducting magnets; Image-guided radiation therapy; magnet design; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); optimization; superconducting magnets;
Journal_Title :
Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TASC.2012.2183871