Modular magnetic field compensation coil array
Inventors
Hughes, Kenneth J. • Knappe, Svenja • Maydew, Tyler L. • Alem, Orang
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12062486-B2
Publication Date
2024-08-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various embodiments comprise a magnetic field compensation system. In some examples, the system comprises one or more coil drivers, magnetic field coils, and one or more magnetic field sensors. The one or more coil drivers supply a current to the magnetic field coils to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field coils receive the current and generate the magnetic field. The magnetic field coils may be arranged in an array. The magnetic field coils individually comprise at least one coil trace pattern that encloses an area. The one or more magnetic field sensors measure the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field coils at a location proximate to the magnetic field coils.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a modular magnetic field compensation system for OPM-MEG/MCG, using modular magnetic field coil circuit boards arranged in an array. Each coil circuit board comprises a printed coil trace pattern, and coil drivers are operatively coupled to the coil circuit boards on a one-to-one basis. A magnetic field controller generates and transfers control signaling that indicates selected current amounts for each coil circuit board, and the coil circuit boards generate a magnetic field with desired field characteristics.
The system controls background magnetic field noise by using OPM sensors that measure magnetic fields near the coils or target. The magnetic field controller uses the sensor measurements to generate nulling magnetic fields and desired field landscapes to mitigate background magnetic field noise and gradients. The controller selects per-board voltage or current, including current ratios tied to the array geometry, to generate a homogeneous zero-field region and to steer or move that region.
In an array configuration, the controller dynamically steers a homogeneous zero-field region or moves the field region to track a moving target. The drive logic includes distributing coil instructions via control signaling and data framing, and the coil and board architecture constrains current selection based on the physical arrangement. The document further describes coil circuit boards as mechanically modular for tiling within a magnetically shielded enclosure to form the magnetic field compensation system.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define a magnetic field compensation system using an array of printed coil trace pattern circuit boards with one-to-one coil drivers, and operating methods for the system and for the magnetic field controller that include selecting current amounts and control signaling. Collectively, the claims identify four inventive features and refine them with background magnetic field sensing, homogeneous-field volumes at locations, and selecting current ratios based on the physical arrangement.
Array of printed coil trace pattern coil circuit boards with one-to-one coil driving
Coil circuit boards arranged in an array, each comprising a printed coil trace pattern, with coil drivers operatively coupled to the coil circuit boards on a one-to-one basis.
Controller-selected currents and control signaling transferred to corresponding coil drivers
A magnetic field controller configured to select current amounts for each coil circuit board to generate a magnetic field with desired field characteristics, generate control signaling indicating the selected current amounts, and transfer the control signaling to corresponding ones of the coil drivers, wherein the coil drivers supply the selected current amounts to their corresponding coil circuit boards responsive to receiving the control signaling.
Generation of a magnetic field with desired field characteristics by the coil circuit boards
The coil circuit boards configured to receive the current amounts and generate the magnetic field with the desired field characteristics.
Current ratios selected based on physical arrangement to set per-board current amounts
Receiving information that indicates a physical arrangement of coil circuit boards that form an array; selecting current ratios for the coil circuit boards based on the physical arrangement; selecting current amounts for each coil circuit board based on the current ratios between the coil circuit boards to generate the magnetic field with the desired field characteristics; generating control signaling indicating the selected current amounts; and transferring the control signaling to coil drivers corresponding to the coil circuit boards.
Across the independent claims, the inventive concept centers on driving an array of printed coil trace pattern coil circuit boards using one-to-one coil drivers under a magnetic field controller that selects current amounts and generates control signaling to realize a magnetic field with desired field characteristics, with further controller method features that select current ratios based on the physical arrangement.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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