Low-field magnetic resonance imaging methods and apparatus

Abstract

According to some aspects, a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising, a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a low-field strength of less than 0.2 Tesla (T), a plurality of gradient coils configured to, when operated, generate magnetic fields to provide spatial encoding of magnetic resonance signals, and at least one radio frequency coil configured to, when operated, transmit radio frequency signals to a field of view of the magnetic resonance imaging system and to respond to magnetic resonance signals emitted from the field of view, a power system comprising one or more power components configured to provide power to the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition, and a power connection configured to connect to a single-phase outlet to receive mains electricity and deliver the mains electricity to the power system to provide power needed to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system. According to some aspects, the power system operates the low-field magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 1.6 kilowatts during image acquisition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
 a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising:
 at least one radio frequency coil configured to, when operated, transmit radio frequency signals to a field of view of the magnetic resonance imaging system and receive magnetic resonance signals emitted from the field of view; and 
   a power system comprising one or more components configured to provide power to at least some of the plurality of magnetics components of the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition, wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system, including the at least one radio frequency coil, using an average of less than 5 kilowatts during image acquisition.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 4 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 3 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 3 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 2 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more power components comprises a first power amplifier to provide power to the at least one radio frequency coil to form a radio frequency transmit system for the magnetic resonance system, and wherein the radio frequency transmit system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 250 watts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 5 , wherein the radio frequency transmit system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 100 watts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         7 . A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
 a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising:
 a permanent, bi-planar B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system; and 
   a power system comprising one or more power components configured to provide power to at least some of the plurality of magnetics components of the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition, wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 5 kilowatts during image acquisition.   
     
     
         8 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 7 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 4 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 3 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 9 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 2 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 7 , wherein the permanent bi-planar B0 magnet is configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a field strength of less than 0.2 Tesla (T) and greater than or equal to 20 milliTesla (mT). 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 11 , wherein the permanent, bi-planar B0 magnet is configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a field strength of less than 0.1 T and greater than or equal to 50 mT. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 12 , wherein the permanent, bi-planar B0 magnet comprises a plurality of concentric permanent magnet rings. 
     
     
         14 . A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
 a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising:
 a plurality of gradient coils configured to, when operated, generate magnetic fields to provide spatial encoding of emitted magnetic resonance signals; and 
   a power system comprising one or more power components configured to provide power to at least some of the plurality of magnetics components of the magnetics system to operate the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform image acquisition, wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system, including the plurality of gradient coils, using an average of less than 5 kilowatts during image acquisition.   
     
     
         15 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 4 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 15 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 3 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 16 , wherein the power system operates the magnetic resonance imaging system using an average of less than 2 kilowatts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more power components comprises a first power amplifier to provide power to a first gradient coil, a second power amplifier to provide power to a second gradient coil, and a third power amplifier to provide power to a third gradient coil that together form a gradient system for the magnetic resonance system, and wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 1 kilowatt during image acquisition. 
     
     
         19 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 18 , wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 500 watts during image acquisition. 
     
     
         20 . The magnetic resonance imaging system of  claim 19 , wherein the gradient system uses an average of less than or equal to approximately 200 watts during image acquisition.