LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHODS AND APPARATUS

摘要

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.