阅读说明：本技术 磁共振成像装置的超导磁体及磁共振成像装置 (Superconducting magnet of magnetic resonance imaging device and magnetic resonance imaging device ) 是由 贺建平 贺彬 聂玉鑫 A·M·托马斯 于 2019-11-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：磁共振成像装置的超导磁体,包括一个内磁体(10)、一个外结构件(20)和数个支撑条(30)。内磁体(10)环绕一个轴线(A)设置。外结构件(20)环绕轴线(A)设置且位于内磁体(10)的外侧。各支撑条(30)连接内磁体(10)和外结构件(20)以维持内磁体(10)和外结构件(20)的相对位置。各支撑条(30)在垂直于轴线(A)和自身长度方向(L)的方向上位于内磁体(10)的一侧。该超导磁体具有较好的稳定性。此外还提供了包括该超导磁体的磁共振成像装置。(A superconducting magnet for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an inner magnet (10), an outer structural member (20), and a plurality of supporting bars (30). The inner magnet (10) is arranged around an axis (A). An outer structural member (20) is disposed about the axis (A) and is located outside the inner magnet (10). Each support bar (30) connects the inner magnet (10) and the outer structural member (20) to maintain the relative positions of the inner magnet (10) and the outer structural member (20). Each support strip (30) is located on one side of the inner magnet (10) in a direction perpendicular to the axis (A) and to the longitudinal direction (L) thereof. The superconducting magnet has better stability. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including the superconducting magnet is also provided.)

1. A superconducting magnet for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, comprising:

an inner magnet (10) disposed about an axis (A);

an outer structural member (20) disposed about said axis (A) and located outside of said inner magnet (10); and

a plurality of support bars (30), each support bar (30) connecting the inner magnet (10) and the outer structural member (20) to maintain the relative positions of the inner magnet (10) and the outer structural member (20); each support strip (30) is located on one side of the inner magnet (10) in a direction perpendicular to the axis (A) and to its own length direction (L).

2. A superconducting magnet according to claim 1, wherein the superconducting magnet further comprises two joining units (40); each of the engagement units (40) includes a plurality of fixing blocks (41); each fixed block (41) is fixedly connected with the outer structural part (20); said fixed blocks (41) of the same engagement unit (40) are distributed around said inner magnet (10) along a plane perpendicular to said axis (a); the two engagement units (40) correspond to two ends of the inner magnet (10) along the axis (A), respectively; each support bar (30) is connected to the outer structural member (20) by connecting the fixing block (41).

3. A superconducting magnet according to claim 2, wherein each of the supporting bars (30) has an end connection portion (31) at each of both ends in the length direction (L) thereof; each support strip (30) further has a middle connecting portion (32), the middle connecting portion (32) is located between the two end connecting portions (31) in the length direction (L) of the support strip (30); each end connecting part (31) of each supporting strip (30) is fixedly connected with one fixing block (41), and the middle connecting part (32) is fixedly connected with the inner magnet (10).

4. A superconducting magnet according to claim 3, wherein the end connection portion (31) is fixedly connected to the fixing block (41) by a bolt; the middle connecting part (32) is fixedly connected to the inner magnet (10) through a bolt.

5. Superconducting magnet according to claim 3, wherein at least several of said supporting bars (30) are connected end to end by said fixing blocks (41) of the same engagement unit (40) to form a polygonal structure.

6. A superconducting magnet according to claim 5, wherein each said engagement unit (40) comprises six said fixing blocks (41), and each three said supporting bars (30) are connected end to end by three said fixing blocks (41) of the same engagement unit (40) at intervals to form a triangular structure.

7. A superconducting magnet according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the supporting bars (30) is fixedly connected with two of the fixing blocks (41) from different ones of the engagement units (40).

8. A superconducting magnet according to claim 7, wherein each said engagement unit (40) comprises six said fixed blocks (41), three spaced said fixed blocks (41) forming a first fixed group (43) and three spaced said fixed blocks (41) forming a second fixed group (44); two of said first fixed groups (43) of two of said engagement units (40) correspond in a direction parallel to said axis (a), and two of said second fixed groups (44) of two of said engagement units (40) correspond in a direction parallel to said axis (a); the fixing blocks (41) of the first fixing groups (43) connect the three support bars (30) into a triangular structure which is connected end to end; each fixed block (41) of the second fixed group (44) is connected with the other fixed block (41) of the second fixed group (44) through two support bars (30) and is the same as the fixed block (41) connected with the support bars (30) and the fixed block (41) is arranged in a staggered manner in the direction parallel to the axis (A).

9. A superconducting magnet according to claim 2, wherein the outer structure (20) comprises two annular members (21) arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the axis (a); each of said rings (21) being disposed about said axis (A); the two connecting units (40) are fixedly connected with the two annular pieces (21) in a one-to-one correspondence manner; the superconducting magnet further comprises a plurality of fixing rods (22), each fixing rod (22) extends along a direction parallel to the axis (A) and connects the two annular pieces (21).

10. A superconducting magnet according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of reinforcing rods (23), each reinforcing rod (23) extending in a direction non-parallel to the axis (a) and connecting two of the annuli (21).

11. A superconducting magnet according to claim 1, further comprising a set of shielding coils (50) provided to the outer structure (20).

12. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, comprising a superconducting magnet according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging device, in particular to a superconducting magnet which is stable in structure, light and convenient to manufacture and a magnetic resonance imaging device comprising the same.

Background

A superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus often includes an inner magnet and an outer structure disposed around the inner magnet. The inner magnet is used to form the imaging magnetic field and the outer structure is used to mount functional components such as a shield coil. The inner magnet and the outer structural member are kept at a certain distance and connected by a connecting piece. The existing connecting structure bears large stress when the superconducting magnet moves and impacts, and is not beneficial to the stability of the superconducting magnet structure. In addition, the traditional magnet structure is heavy, and the processing and assembling difficulty is high.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging device, which has better structural stability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a good structural stability.

The invention provides a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging device, which comprises an inner magnet, an outer structural part and a plurality of supporting bars. The inner magnet is disposed about an axis. The outer structural member is arranged around the axis and is positioned on the outer side of the inner magnet. Each support bar connects the inner magnet and the outer structural member to maintain the relative positions of the inner magnet and the outer structural member. Each support strip is positioned on one side of the inner magnet in a direction perpendicular to the axis and to the length direction of the support strip.

The supporting strips of the superconducting magnet are positioned on one side of the inner magnet in the direction perpendicular to the axis and the length direction of the supporting strips, so that the stress of the superconducting magnet under the conditions of axial impact, radial impact and particularly tangential impact can be optimized, the strain caused by uneven cooling and shrinkage of the structure can be reduced, the stress is reduced, and the stability of the structure of the superconducting magnet is improved.

In another exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the superconducting magnet further comprises two joining units. Each engagement unit includes a plurality of fixed blocks. Each fixed block is fixedly connected with an outer structural member. Several fixed blocks of the same joining unit are distributed around the inner magnet along a plane perpendicular to the axis. The two connecting units respectively correspond to two ends of the inner magnet along the axis. Each supporting bar is connected with the outer structural member by connecting the fixing block. Thereby facilitating assembly.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, each supporting strip has an end connection portion at each of both ends in a length direction thereof. Each support bar also has a middle connecting portion located between the two end connecting portions in the length direction of the support bar. Each end connecting portion fixed connection a fixed block of each support bar, well connecting portion fixed connection interior magnet. Whereby the stability can be further improved.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the end connection portion is fixedly connected to the fixed block by a bolt. The middle connecting part is fixedly connected to the inner magnet through a bolt. Whereby assembly can be facilitated.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, at least a plurality of the supporting bars are connected end to end by the fixing block of the same joining unit to form a polygonal structure. Thereby contributing to simplification of the structure.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, each of the joining units includes six fixing blocks, and each of the three supporting bars is connected end to end by three fixing blocks of the same joining unit, which are spaced apart, to form a triangular structure. Thereby contributing to the improvement of stability.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the at least one supporting strip is fixedly connected to two fixing blocks from different engagement units. Thereby being beneficial to improving the stability of the superconducting magnet.

In yet another illustrative embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, each of the engagement units comprises six fixed blocks, wherein three spaced fixed blocks constitute a first fixed group and the other three spaced fixed blocks constitute a second fixed group. The two first fixed groups of the two engaging units correspond in a direction parallel to the axis, and the two second fixed groups of the two engaging units correspond in a direction parallel to the axis. The fixed blocks of the first fixed groups connect the three support bars into a triangular structure connected end to end. One fixing block of each second fixing group is connected with two fixing blocks of the other second fixing group through two supporting bars, and the two fixing blocks connected by the same supporting bar are arranged in a staggered mode in the direction parallel to the axis. Thereby facilitating improved stability of the superconducting magnet in a direction parallel to the axis.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the outer structure comprises two ring-shaped members arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the axis. Each ring member is disposed about the axis. The two connecting units are fixedly connected with the two annular pieces in a one-to-one correspondence mode. The superconducting magnet further comprises a plurality of fixing rods, and each fixing rod extends along the direction parallel to the axis and is connected with the two annular pieces. Therefore, the space is saved, and the overall weight of the superconducting magnet is reduced.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the superconducting magnet further comprises a plurality of reinforcing rods, each reinforcing rod extending in a direction non-parallel to the axis and connecting the two annuli. Thereby facilitating an increase in the stability of the superconducting magnet in the direction of rotation around the axis.

In yet another illustrative embodiment of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the superconducting magnet further comprises a set of shielding coils disposed on the outer structure.

The invention also provides a magnetic resonance imaging device which comprises the superconducting magnet. The supporting strips of the superconducting magnet are positioned on one side of the inner magnet in the direction perpendicular to the axis and the length direction of the supporting strips, so that the stress of the superconducting magnet under the conditions of axial impact, radial impact and particularly tangential impact can be optimized, the strain caused by uneven cooling and shrinkage of the structure can be reduced, the stress is reduced, and the structural stability of the magnetic resonance imaging device is improved.

Drawings

The following drawings are only schematic illustrations and explanations of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a partial schematic structural view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial exploded view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1 along an axis.

Fig. 5 is a view for explaining a positional relationship between the inner magnets and the supporting bars of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a partial structural schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of still another exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a partial exploded view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of still another exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Fig. 10 is a partial schematic structural view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 9.

Description of the reference symbols

10 inner magnet

20 outer structural member

21 annular member

22 fixing rod

23 reinforcing bar

30 support bar

31 end connection part

32 middle connecting part

40 docking unit

41 fixed block

43 first fixed group

44 second fixed group

50 shield coil

Axis A

L longitudinal direction

Detailed Description

In order to more clearly understand the technical features, objects and effects of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate the same or structurally similar but functionally identical elements.

"exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" herein, and any illustration, embodiment, or steps described as "exemplary" herein should not be construed as a preferred or advantageous alternative.

In this document, "first", "second", etc. do not mean their importance or order, etc., but merely mean that they are distinguished from each other so as to facilitate the description of the document.

For the sake of simplicity, the drawings only schematically show the parts relevant to the present invention, and they do not represent the actual structure as a product. In addition, for simplicity and clarity of understanding, only one of the components having the same structure or function is schematically illustrated or labeled in some of the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. As shown in fig. 1, the superconducting magnet includes an inner magnet 10, an outer structural member 20, two joining units 40, fixing rods 22, supporting bars 30 (only one of which is labeled in fig. 1), and two shielding coils 50. The inner magnet 10 is arranged around an axis a for forming an imaging magnetic field and the shield coil 50 for forming a shield magnetic field. In the present exemplary embodiment, the inner magnet 10 has a substantially circular tube shape, but is not limited thereto.

The outer structural member 20 is disposed about the axis a and is located outside the inner magnet 10. In the present exemplary embodiment, the outer structural part 20 comprises two annular parts 21 in the form of circular rings, which are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the axis a and correspond respectively to the two ends of the inner magnet 10 along the axis a. Each ring 21 is arranged around an axis a. Two shield coils 50 are wound around the two annular members 21 in a one-to-one correspondence. The structure is beneficial to saving space and reducing the overall weight of the superconducting magnet. Without limitation, in other exemplary embodiments, the outer structural member 20 may be provided as a unitary cylindrical structure, for example.

Fig. 2 is a partial schematic structural view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1, which is the same as fig. 1. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, each of the engagement units 40 includes six fixing blocks 41. Six fixing blocks 41 of one engaging unit 40 are fixedly connected to one ring member 21, and six fixing blocks 41 of the other engaging unit 40 are fixedly connected to the other ring member 21. The six fixing blocks 41 of each engaging unit 40 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the corresponding ring member 21, whereby the six fixing blocks 41 of the same engaging unit 40 surround the inner magnet 10 along a plane perpendicular to the axis a. The fixing blocks 41 of the two engaging units 40 correspond one to one in a direction parallel to the axis a. In other exemplary embodiments, the number and distribution of the fixing blocks 41 of each engaging unit 40 may be adjusted as needed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the number of the fixing bars 22 is six. Each fixing rod 22 extends in a direction parallel to the axis a and is connected to two fixing blocks 41 corresponding in the direction parallel to the axis a to connect the two ring members 21. Thereby improving the stability of the superconducting magnet. Without limitation, in other exemplary embodiments, the number of fixing rods 22 may be adjusted as desired or no fixing rods 22 may be provided, such as when the outer structural member 20 is provided as an integral cylindrical structure, the fixing rods 22 may not be required. In other exemplary embodiments, the fixing rod 22 may be directly connected to the ring member 21 without passing through the fixing block 41.

Each support bar 30 connects the inner magnet 10 and the outer structural member 20 to maintain the relative positions of the inner magnet 10 and the outer structural member 20. Specifically, each support bar 30 is connected to the outer structural member 20 by connecting the fixing blocks 41. In the present exemplary embodiment, the number of support bars 30 is twelve. Fig. 3 is a partial exploded view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1, in which one ring member 21, six fixing blocks 41 connected to the ring member 21, and six supporting bars 30 connected to the six fixing blocks 41 are shown. As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, every three support bars 30 are connected end to end by three spaced-apart fixing blocks 41 of the same engaging unit 40 to form a triangular structure.

As shown in fig. 3, each support bar 30 has an end connection portion 31 (only one support bar 30 is illustrated in fig. 3) at each end along the length direction L. Each support bar 30 also has a middle connecting portion 32, the middle connecting portion 32 being located between the two end connecting portions 31 in the length direction L of the support bar 30. Each end connecting portion 31 of each supporting bar 30 is fixedly connected with a fixing block 41. Fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1 along an axial view, and as shown in fig. 4, the middle connecting portion 32 of each supporting bar 30 is fixedly connected with the inner magnet 10. Each support strip 30 is located on one side of the inner magnet 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axis a and its own longitudinal direction L. The positional relationship of the support bar 30 and the inner magnet 10 is illustrated in fig. 5 by taking a support bar 30 as an example, and the support bar 30 is illustrated on the upper side of the inner magnet 10 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction L and the axis a of the illustrated support bar 30 (i.e., upward or downward in the drawing).

The supporting strip 30 of the superconducting magnet is positioned on one side of the inner magnet 10 in the direction perpendicular to the axis A and the length direction L of the superconducting magnet, so that the stress of the superconducting magnet under the conditions of axial impact, radial impact and particularly tangential impact can be optimized, the strain caused by uneven cooling and shrinkage of the structure can be reduced, the stress is reduced, and the stability of the superconducting magnet structure is improved.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the supporting bars 30 and the fixing bars 22 are connected to the outer structural member 20 through the fixing blocks 41, whereby the assembly may be facilitated. Without limitation, in other exemplary embodiments, the support bars 30 and the securing rods 22 may also be directly connected to the outer structural members 20.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the supporting bar 30 is connected to the two fixing blocks 41 by the two end connection portions 31, and connected to the inner magnet 10 by the middle connection portion 32. Whereby the stability can be further improved. But not limited thereto, in other exemplary embodiments, the supporting bar 30 may be connected to only one fixing block 41 and the inner magnet 10 as long as the supporting bar 30 is located at one side of the inner magnet 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axis a and its own length direction L. In other words, the normal direction of the support bar 30 forms a certain intersection angle with the axis a.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the end connection portion 31 is fixedly connected to the fixing block 41 by a bolt. The middle connection portion 32 is fixedly connected to the inner magnet 10 by a bolt. The fixing block 41 is fixedly coupled to the ring member 21 by bolts. Whereby assembly can be facilitated. But not limited thereto, in other exemplary embodiments, the bolt connection may be replaced by other detachable connection means to facilitate assembly, and of course, non-detachable connection means may be used to improve the stability.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the supporting bars 30 are connected end to end by the fixing blocks 41 to form a plurality of triangular structures to support the inner magnet 10, but not limited thereto, in other exemplary embodiments, the supporting bars 30 may be connected end to end by the fixing blocks 41 to form other polygonal structures, such as quadrangles or pentagons.

Fig. 6 is a partial structural schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The superconducting magnet of the present exemplary embodiment is the same as or similar to the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1, and is not described herein again, except that: six reinforcing rods 23 are additionally arranged on the superconducting magnet, and each reinforcing rod 23 is connected with two fixing blocks 41 which do not correspond to each other in the direction parallel to the axis A, so that the stability of the superconducting magnet in the rotating direction around the axis A is improved.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of still another exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and fig. 8 is a partial exploded view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 7. The superconducting magnet of the present exemplary embodiment is the same as or similar to the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1, and is not described herein again, and the difference is only in the connection manner of the supporting bars 30. Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, three spaced fixed blocks 41 in each engaging unit 40 constitute a first fixed group 43, and the other three spaced fixed blocks 41 constitute a second fixed group 44. The two first fixed groups 43 of two engaging units 40 correspond in a direction parallel to the axis a, and the two second fixed groups 44 of two engaging units 40 correspond in a direction parallel to the axis a. The fixing blocks 41 of each first fixing group 43 connect the three support bars 30 into an end-to-end triangular structure. One fixing block 41 of each second fixing group 44 is connected to two fixing blocks 41 of the other second fixing group 44 by two support bars 30, and the two fixing blocks 41 connected to the same support bar 30 are staggered in a direction parallel to the axis a. Compared to the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 1, the superconducting magnet of the present exemplary embodiment is advantageous in improving the stability of the superconducting magnet in the direction parallel to the axis a.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in fig. 7, of the six support bars 30 connected to second stationary group 44, every two support bars 30 contact and cross to form an "X" shaped structure (three are formed collectively). The middle contact portion of each "X" shaped structure is exactly the middle connection portion 32 of the two support bars 30, and the two middle connection portions 32 are fixed at the same position of the inner magnet 10. The relative positions of two support bars 30 forming the same "X" shaped structure are substantially unchanged during use.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of still another exemplary embodiment of a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. Fig. 10 is a partial schematic structural view of the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 9. The superconducting magnet of the present exemplary embodiment is the same as or similar to the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 7, and is not described herein again, except that: the present exemplary embodiment replaces each pair of support bars 30 forming an "X" shaped structure in the superconducting magnet shown in fig. 7 with an integrally formed "X" shaped structure, that is, it can be understood that the middle connecting portions 32 of the respective two support bars 30 are integrally provided. Thereby further improving stability. In fig. 10, three integrally formed "X" shaped structures are shown in different line forms for clarity.

The present invention also provides a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus which, in one exemplary embodiment thereof, includes a superconducting magnet as shown in fig. 1, 6, 7 or 9. The supporting strip 30 of the superconducting magnet is positioned on one side of the inner magnet 10 in the direction perpendicular to the axis A and the length direction L of the superconducting magnet, so that the stress of the superconducting magnet under the conditions of axial impact, radial impact and particularly tangential impact can be optimized, the strain caused by uneven cooling and shrinkage of the structure can be reduced, the stress is reduced, and the structural stability of the magnetic resonance imaging device is improved.

It should be understood that although the present description has been described in terms of various embodiments, not every embodiment includes only a single embodiment, and such description is for clarity purposes only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein may be combined as suitable to form other embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The above-listed detailed description is only a specific description of a possible embodiment of the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and equivalent embodiments or modifications such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, which do not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention, should be included in the scope of the present invention.