Design and test of an open portable MRI system

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the design study and realisation of portable low-field open MRI system.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is based on an optimization study using a genetic algorithm. Non-linear two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical electromagnetic models are developed and inserted in the optimization environment.

Findings

The results are found to be consistent with those issued from fully experimental tests. The static field produced by the device is 0.295 T with a homogeneity of 2.8% (28,000 ppm) over 100 mm diameter sphere volume. The z-axis gradient coils are capable of generating switching gradients with an amplitude of 8 mT/m and a frequency of 1.2 kHz.

Originality/value

Our system is an open portable MRI which can be used in an ambulance. The open topology permits an easy access into the lateral sides when a surgery using surgical instrument with video feedback is needed.

Citation

Chauviere, S., Belguerras, L., Lubin, T. and Mezani, S. (2022), "Design and test of an open portable MRI system", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 41 No. 4, pp. 1084-1095. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-11-2021-0436