Current supply of a magnetic resonance imaging installation

A circuit arrangement is provided for the current supply of a magnetic resonance imaging installation with a radio-frequency shielding cabin and at least one basic field magnet. The arrangement includes a first circuit arranged outside the radio-frequency shielding cabin and configured to generate a DC link voltage from a grid voltage, and a second circuit arranged within the radio-frequency shielding cabin and configured to generate a magnetization current for the basic field magnet from the DC link voltage. This architecture makes it possible to realize a cost-effective solution for an integrated (fixedly installed) modular magnetization current supply.

RELATED CASE

This application claims the benefit of DE 102016203817.6, filed on Mar. 9, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments to a circuit arrangement for the current supply of a magnetic resonance imaging installation including a radio-frequency shielding cabin and at least one basic field magnet. The invention also relates to a magnetic resonance imaging installation including a circuit arrangement for current supply, and to a method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging installation.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance tomography MRT, also MR for short; also called nuclear spin tomography; abbreviated to MRI) is an imaging method used primarily in medical diagnosis for the representation of structure and function of tissue and organs in the human body. It is based on the physical principles of nuclear spin resonance and is therefore sometimes also referred to as nuclear spin tomography.

Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to generate slice images of the human (or animal) body that allow an assessment of the organs and of many pathological organ changes. Magnetic resonance tomography is based on strong magnetic fields and alternating electromagnetic fields in the radio-frequency range that resonantly excite atomic nuclei (usually hydrogen protons). Electrical signals are induced in a receiver circuit. Neither X-ray radiation nor any other ionizing radiation is generated or used in magnetic resonance imaging. The different relaxation times of different types of tissue form an essential basis for the image contrast. In addition, the different content of hydrogen atoms in different tissues (e.g. muscle, bones) also contributes to the image contrast.

In order to obtain an image on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging, that is to say to generate a magnetic resonance recording of an examination object, firstly the body or the body part to be examined of the patient is exposed to a static basic magnetic field, which is as homogeneous as possible and which is generated by a basic field magnet of the magnet system of the magnetic resonance imaging installation. During the recording of the magnetic resonance images, rapidly switched gradient fields for spatial coding are superimposed on this basic magnetic field. The gradient fields are generated by the gradient coils of the magnet system. Moreover, a radio-frequency antenna of the magnetic resonance imaging installation radiates radio-frequency pulses having a defined field strength into the examination volume. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance imaging installation generally includes a fixedly incorporated radio-frequency antenna, the so-called whole body coil. The atoms in the examination object are excited by the radio-frequency pulses in such a way that the atoms are deflected by a so-called “excitation flip angle” from their equilibrium position running parallel to the basic magnetic field. The magnetic resonance signals generated during “deflection back” are detected by at least one non-stationary local coil and fed for further processing. In this case, the local coil is arranged as near to the patient as possible, e.g. placed on the patient.

The basic field magnets are generally superconducting magnets that require a regulatable current supply that makes available the energy for establishing the magnetic field. Electronic and electrical components installed on the basic field magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging installation likewise require a current supply. The use of switching converters for an energy-efficient current supply with little power loss proves to be difficult since multiples of the switching frequencies and the mixed products thereof may cause disturbances in the MR signal.

It is known from the art to carry the current supplies for the superconducting magnets for a service deployment (ramp-up, ramp-down) as a service tool. This causes a logistical complexity and requires thorough preplanning. An immediate or even spontaneous deployment is not possible.

A further possibility for current supply is a fixed installation, which, in a manner similar to the mobile variant, has to be set up outside the region of influence of the magnetic field and also outside the electromagnetic shielding required for magnetic resonance imaging installations (the so-called radio-frequency shielding cabin or RF cabin).

In both embodiments described, the entire magnetization current (sometimes also referred to as “magnet current”), which as a general rule is a few hundred amperes, has to flow via long cables and in some instances through bushing filters.

Current supplies for the electronic and electrical components operated within the electromagnetic shielding are generally installed outside the shielding cabin. Voltage is fed in via a multiplicity of lines respectively requiring bushing filters. Linear regulators or switching converters with corresponding filtering are usually used in the components themselves. The use of ferrite-containing inductive components or (ferro)magnetic components poses a particular challenge since saturation effects, a deformation of the basic magnetic field and considerable force actions may occur.

SUMMARY AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is an object to specify a circuit arrangement for the current supply of a magnetic resonance imaging installation, a magnetic resonance imaging installation and a method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging installation which enable simple feeding of the superconducting basic field magnets.

According to one embodiment, a circuit arrangement of substantially two function blocks is specified, wherein the first function block is arranged outside the RF cabin and generates a DC link voltage. The DC link voltage is fed via a cable to the second function block—situated in the RF cabin—with DC-DC converters that supply the magnetization current for the basic field magnet.

A DC-DC converter denotes an electrical circuit that converts a DC voltage fed in at the input into a DC voltage having a higher, lower or inverted voltage level. The conversion takes place with the aid of a periodically operating electronic switch and one or more energy stores. DC-DC converters are classed among the self-commutated power converters. In the field of electrical power engineering, DC-DC converters are also referred to as DC choppers.

The architecture according to the embodiment is based on a functional and local separation of the individual constituents of the current supply. Optionally, an alternative use of individual function blocks may be provided. The individual function blocks are designed in accordance with the operating state with maximum power demand. It is assumed that not all of the assemblies have to be active in every operating state.

The maximum power for the magnetization current supply is required during the charging of the basic field magnet (ramp-up). Other electrical and electronic components are not required during ramp-up. The magnetization current supply is therefore a fixedly installed constituent of the magnetic resonance imaging installation. While the magnetic resonance imaging installation is in operation, the magnetization current supply is not required. Other electrical and electronic components can optionally use parts of the current supply (e.g. transformer, rectifier circuit, cabling, control and monitoring).

Another embodiment includes a circuit arrangement for the current supply of a magnetic resonance imaging installation. The circuit arrangement includes a radio-frequency shielding cabin and at least one basic field magnet. The arrangement includes: a first circuit, which is arranged outside the radio-frequency shielding cabin and which generates a DC link voltage from a grid voltage, and a second circuit, which is arranged within the radio-frequency shielding cabin and which generates a magnetization current for the basic field magnet from the DC link voltage.

This architecture makes it possible to realize a cost-effective solution for an integrated (fixedly installed) modular magnetization current supply. The power transfer to the basic field magnet by a link circuit reduces the power losses. Cables, connectors and filters have to be designed for lower currents. The optional, alternative use of individual electrical and electronic components in the different operating states reduces circuit and cost expenditures. The modular construction enables a flexible adaptation of the system current supply to different embodiments of a magnetic resonance imaging installation.

In one development of the circuit arrangement, the grid voltage is a three-phase AC voltage.

In a further embodiment, the first circuit includes a transformer and a three-phase inverter connected in series.

In one development, the three-phase inverter is designed as a six-pulse rectifier or as a twelve-pulse rectifier.

In a further embodiment, the second circuit includes a current sink, which discharges the basic field magnet in a regulated manner.

In a further configuration, the second circuit includes an input filter, a plurality of parallel-connected first DC-DC converters, and a current/voltage measuring device or sensor connected in series.

In one development, the first DC-DC converter is designed as regulatable current sources with voltage limiting.

In a further configuration, the second circuit includes a controller (e.g., a control and evaluation unit), which controls the current sink, the first DC-DC converters, and the current/voltage measuring device or sensor.

In a further configuration, the arrangement includes a cable with at least one feed line and at least one return line. The cable connects the first and second circuit devices.

In one development, the second circuit device includes a second DC-DC converter, which is fed by the DC link voltage and which supplies electrical and electronic units or components in the radio-frequency shielding cabin with current.

The circuit arrangement may be used in a magnetic resonance imaging installation.

Moreover, other embodiments are for a method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging installation. For charging the basic field magnet, the first DC-DC converters are switched on and the second DC-DC converter is switched off.

In one development of the method, after the charging of the basic field magnet, the first DC-DC converters are switched off and the second DC-DC converter is switched on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a block diagram of a current supply for feeding a basic field magnet5divided into a first circuit or first circuit device1for generating a DC link voltage UZand into a second circuit or second circuit device2for actually generating the magnetization current IM.

A three-phase AC grid voltage ULis fed to a transformer6. The stepped-down AC current is applied to a three-phase inverter7, which generates the DC link voltage UZ. Inter alia, the residual ripple is also reduced by a bushing filter8. The DC link voltage UZhas a value of a maximum of 60 V. The transformer6and the three-phase inverter7are situated in a non-shielded technical room4.

In the simplest case, the three-phase inverter (rectifier circuit) is a single rectifier, a switched rectifier or an active rectifier with PFC. The DC link voltage UZis lower than the peak value of the grid voltage UL, but higher by a multiple than the output voltage with the highest power demand. The voltage ratio may be set either by the transformer6or by an active rectifier. The transformer6or the rectifier is designed such that the transformer6or the rectifier satisfies the normative requirements made of power supply units with regard to surge, isolation, leakage, etc.

Via an electrical cable9, the DC link voltage UZis fed to an input filter11(a capacitor in the simplest case) of the second circuit device2. Thus only a single cable9having outgoing and return lines is required for the current supply of the basic field magnet5. The cable9and the input filter11are designed in accordance with the maximum power demand. In this case, in comparison with an external magnetization current supply, the current loading capacity may be reduced significantly, virtually as the ratio of the DC link voltage UZto the output voltage of the magnetization current supply. The DC link circuit likewise reduces disturbances and the (changing) force effects on components and cables that are caused by the Lorentz force, particularly in comparison with an AC supply.

The DC link voltage UZfiltered in this way is then brought to a low voltage level in a plurality of parallel-connected first DC-DC converters12, in order to provide the required magnetization current IMof a magnitude of approximately 400 A (up to max. 600 A) for charging (ramp-up) of the basic field magnet5. The magnetization current IMand the output voltage are monitored with the aid of the current/voltage measuring device or sensor13. Other electrical and electronic components may be supplied with the aid of second DC-DC converters15.

The input filter11, the first DC-DC converters12, the second DC-DC converter15and the current/voltage measuring device13are situated in the radio-frequency shielding cabin3and are part of the second circuit device2.

The first DC-DC converters12may be operated with high clock frequency on account of the relatively low DC link voltage UZ. In this case, ferrite-free inductive components may be used, the function of which is not influenced by the basic magnetic field. The second DC-DC converter15, which is active during the operation of the magnetic resonance imaging installation, may also be operated with frequencies that match the frequency plan of the magnetic resonance imaging installation and thus cannot cause any disturbances.

The magnetization current supply is implemented by a plurality of parallel-connected current sources with voltage limiting. The current sources may be operated with an optimum mark-space ratio, or with one or a plurality of parallel high-resolution current sources. The function of a DAC arises from the construction, the connection and disconnection of individual modules. This architecture may also be applied to other current supplies for high power demand.

FIG. 2shows a circuit diagram of a current supply for a magnetic resonance imaging installation. In particular the current supply is for charging a superconducting basic field magnet. The current supply is subdivided into two function blocks or circuits: a first circuit1in the non-shielded technical room4for generating a DC link voltage UZ, and a second circuit2in the radio-frequency shielding cabin3for generating the magnetization current IM. The first circuit1is electrically connected to the second circuit2via the cable9. Four twisted cores that are short-circuited in pairs are used for suppressing interference.

The three-phase AC grid voltage ULis fed to a transformer having an iron core and, on the secondary side, via thermomagnetic switches16(as fuse), to a three-phase inverter7. The three-phase inverter7is a twelve-pulse rectifier or a six-pulse rectifier depending on the switching position of the switches16. The DC link voltage UZoccurring at the output is also freed of its residual ripple, inter alia, in the case of current flow, by the two bushing filters8. The bushing filters8, the shielding effect of which corresponds to that of the radio-frequency shielding cabin3, substantially serve for suppressing the line-conducted electromagnetic interference into and out of the radio-frequency shielding cabin3.

Via the cable9, the DC link voltage UZpasses via the input filter11to the parallel-connected first DC-DC converters12, which supply the magnetization current IMvia the current/voltage measuring device.

A current sink10connected to the outputs of the first DC-DC converters12is used for discharging (ramp-down) of the basic field magnet. A control and evaluation unit14controls the first DC-DC converters12and the current sink10and evaluates the measurement data of the current/voltage measuring device or sensor13. Alternatively, the discharging may also be effected by grid feedback by first DC-DC converters12and three-phase inverter7.

Although the invention has been more specifically illustrated and described in detail by the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the examples disclosed and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

It is intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.