Method for acquiring an image and manipulating objects with magnetic gradients produced by one or more electropermanent magnet arrays
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Publication Number
US-10908240-B2
Publication Date
2021-02-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus and method create or modify a magnetic field in a region of interest and utilize a plurality of electropermanent magnets configured to perform both the action of establishing a quasi-static magnetic field, and the action of imposing transient magnetic non-uniformity.
Core Innovation
Disclosed is an MRI imaging apparatus and method that use at least one array containing at least two electropermanent magnets. A controller controls generation of magnetic fields by the at least one array, and a magnetic configuration of the array may be varied to produce magnetic profiles in a field-of-view that constitute a basis set for reconstructing an image of an object.
The magnetic profiles within the field-of-view have magnitudes that are non-linear with respect to position. By varying the magnetic configuration, transient magnetic field profiles are used as basis-set members for encoding spatial information for image reconstruction, supporting non-linear gradient profiles and basis orthogonality/coding through magnetic profiles constituting the basis set members.
The disclosed system further uses magnetic profiles to reorient or tip object magnetization and reduce reliance on RF pulses, while also describing an imaging and optional image-guided therapy workflow. Magnetic profiles can be generated to propel, rotate, or actuate an object within the field-of-view, and the method includes applying a magnetic pulse sequence to control generation of magnetic fields by the array.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related concepts: an imaging apparatus, a method for imaging/moving/actuating an object, and a method for altering an object’s magnetization angle. Across these independent claims, the core inventive elements are controller-controlled generation of magnetic fields from electropermanent magnet arrays, varying magnetic configurations to form basis-set magnetic profiles for image reconstruction, and non-linear magnetic profiles with respect to position.
Electropermanent magnet array generating basis-set magnetic profiles for reconstruction
An apparatus for imaging one or more objects in a field-of-view comprising at least one array containing at least two electropermanent magnets and a controller for controlling generation of magnetic fields by the at least one array; wherein a magnetic configuration of the array may be varied to produce magnetic profiles in the field-of-view that constitute a basis set for reconstructing an image of the object.
Applying magnetic pulse sequence and varying array configuration to form non-linear basis-set profiles for reconstruction
A method for imaging or moving or actuating an object within a field-of-view comprising applying a magnetic pulse sequence to at least one array containing at least two electropermanent magnets to control generation of magnetic fields by the at least one array; varying a magnetic configuration of the array to produce magnetic profiles in the field-of-view that constitute a basis set for reconstructing an image of the object; wherein the magnetic profiles within the field-of-view have magnitudes that are non-linear with respect to position.
Altering magnetization angle using non-linear basis-set magnetic profiles for reconstruction
A method for altering the magnetization angle of an object within a field-of-view with one or more electropermanent magnet arrays comprising applying a magnetic pulse sequence to at least one array containing at least two electropermanent magnets to control generation of magnetic fields by the at least one array; varying a magnetic configuration of the array to produce magnetic profiles in the field-of-view that constitute a basis set for reconstructing an image of the object; wherein the magnetic profiles within the field-of-view have magnitudes that are non-linear with respect to position.
The independent claims consistently require electropermanent magnet arrays, control of magnetic-field generation, and varying the array’s magnetic configuration to create magnetic profiles that constitute a basis set for image reconstruction. The claims further require that the magnetic profiles have magnitudes that are non-linear with respect to position.
Stated Advantages
Enables non-linear magnetic gradient profiles for image reconstruction using magnetic profiles that constitute a basis set.
Supports basis orthogonality/coding through non-linear magnetic profiles constituting basis-set members.
Can reduce reliance on RF pulses by reorienting or tipping object magnetization using magnetic profiles.
Documented Applications
MRI imaging of one or more objects in a field-of-view using electropermanent magnet arrays and magnetic profiles constituting a basis set for reconstructing an image.
Image-guided therapy workflow in which imaging is performed, magnetic profiles are used for propulsion, rotation, or actuation, and image reconstruction is performed with possible repetition for therapy.
Moving or actuating an object within a field-of-view using magnetic profiles.
Altering the magnetization angle of an object within a field-of-view using magnetic profiles.
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