Ferrofluidic cooling and acoutical noise reduction in magnetic stimulators

Abstract

A ferrofluid chamber has a housing that is adapted to be coupled to a component that generates a magnetic field. The housing may be disposed around the component so as to insulate a noise-producing region of the component. The magnetic field may be of sufficient strength to stimulate anatomical tissue. In addition, a ferrofluid may be disposed within the housing for cooling the component.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A magnetic stimulation system comprising:
 a stimulation coil comprising a ferromagnetic core and one or more windings configured to be wrapped around the ferromagnetic core;   a control circuit in electrical communication with the stimulation coil and configured to provide current to the stimulation coil to generate a magnetic field in a target anatomy of a human subject; and   a sound absorber disposed around the stimulation coil and configured to reduce noise produced by the stimulation coil.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising an insulative material interposed between the ferromagnetic core and the one or more windings. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the sound absorber is a passive sound absorber. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the sound absorber comprises a sound-absorbing material. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the sound absorber is an active sound absorber. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the sound absorber comprises active noise-reduction equipment. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising a chamber coupled to the ferromagnetic core. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the chamber comprises a housing, and wherein the sound absorber is disposed around the housing. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the sound absorber comprises a ferrofluid disposed within the chamber. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the sound absorber further comprises at least one other sound-absorbing material.