Gradient System Overview

MR3443C – Achieva R2

Philips Healthcare Academy

[Link] Revision: 08 Dec 2008

 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe
the following:
– MR Basix as related to the Achieva
– Pulse Sequence
– Gradient Fields
– Gradient Axes
– Gradient Characteristics
• Achieva Gradient Safety
– Service Access
– Installation
• Achieva Gradient Configurations
– Gradients
– Coils
• Achieva Gradient Specifications
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 2
 Introduction
To make an MR image, we need:
•A magnetic field (B0)
•Static field
•Increase field Increase signal
• A RF transmitter (KW)
•Flip protons 90º out of alignment of B0
•180º refocusing pulse
• A RF receiver ( W)
•Reads echos
• Magnetic gradient fields
•Slice selection gradient – portion of patient
•Preparation gradient - phase
•Measurement gradient
•Receive is on when this gradient is on
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 3
 Axes
• Coil Axes • Patient Axes
– X : Vertical – Transverse (Head to Foot)
– Y : Horizontal – Sagittal (Ear to Ear)
– Z : Bore X – Coronal
• Anterior (top) to Posterior (bottom)

Z Y

RF

Gs
• Functional Axes
Gp
– Slice selection: Amplitude
– Prep: Phase encode
Gf
MR Response
– Read: Frequency encode
ADC Sampling
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 4
 Introduction: Pulse sequence

180º
90º
RF

Gs

Gp

Gf

MR Response echo

ADC sampling

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 5

 Magnet Main Field B0

The Main field is

X generated by
the superconducting coils
of the magnet
X

Z Y Uniform Main Field

Z

B0 Y
N S
Isocenter
•Ideally physical center of the magnet
•Center of the uniform main field shim
volume (X: 50cm Y: 50cm Z: 45cm)
•Point of zero gradient strength in all 3 axes

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 6

 Gradient Fields

Gradient fields are generated by

• Resistive coils Linearly varying field along
the gradient axis
• At room temperature Uniform Main Field X
• Wound on a fiberglass former X
• Located inside magnet bore
GX
Z
Z
Y
Y

Z GY

Z GZ

Y
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 7
 Gradient Coils

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 8

 Gradient Coils and Fields (Z)

Z Y

B0
N S
Gradient
Gradient Fields
Coils (Z)
(Z)

N B S S B N

GZ Gradient Coils (Z)

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 9

 Gradient Coils and Fields (Z)

B0
N S
Coil Field Strength
•Function of distance
time
•Along coil axis
•From zero at + infinity
N B S S B N to zero at – infinity

GZ

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 10

 Gradient Coils and Fields (Z)

B0
N S B0
Uniform Z
Field

Y
Decreasing
N B S S B N
Field X

GZ B0 + G Z
Increasing Z
Field
Y
The two gradient fields
• Produce a linear field matching
the Z axis shim volume
•Centered at isocenter
•Adds to B0 on left
•Subtracts from B0 on right
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 11
 Gradient Coils and Fields (X)

Z Y

B0
N N S
S
Gradient
Coil Fields
Coils
(X)(Z)

BX S BX N
S N

GX Gradient Coils (X)

(Z)
N S
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 13
 Gradient Coils and Fields (X)

X
B0
Uniform Z
B0 Field
S
Y
N

N S

Gradient Field
BX S BX N
S N

N S
GX
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 14
 Gradient Coils and Fields (X)

X
B0
Uniform Z
B0 Field
S
Y
N
Increasing
Field X B0 + GX
N S
GX Decreasing
Field Z

BX S BX N Y
S N The two gradient fields
• Produce a linear field matching
the X axis shim volume
•Centered at isocenter
N S •Adds to B0 on top
GX
•Subtracts from B0 on bottom
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 15
 Gradient Coils and Fields (Y)

Z Y

B0
N S
Gradient
Coil Fields
Coils
(Y)(Z)

Gy Gradient Coils (Y)

(Z)

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 16

 Gradient Coils and Fields (Y)

X
B0
Uniform Z
B0 Field
S
Y
N
Increasing
Field B0 + G Y

Decreasing Z
Field
Y

The two gradient fields

• Produce a linear field matching
the Y axis shim volume
•Centered at isocenter
GY •Adds to B0 on top
•Subtracts from B0 on bottom
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 17
 Typical Blockdiagram
Pulsar (271) or Quasar (281+)
• Single cabinet Gardient System
– 650 Amps Max
– 350(271)/650(281) Volts

GRADIENT
INTERFACE

HOST CDAS

SIGNAL
PROCESSOR

AMPLIFIER

GRADIENT COIL

X-axis
Y-axis
Z-axis

POWER SUPPLY

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 18

 Typical Blockdiagram
Nova or Nova Dual / Quasar or Quasar Dual
• Dual cabinet Gardient System • Double Voltage
– 650 Amps Max – Faster Scan
– 350x2(271)/650x2(281) Volts • Same Current
GRADIENT
– Same Spatial Resolution
INTERFACE

HOST CDAS

SIGNAL GRADIENT SIGNAL

PROCESSOR COILS PROCESSOR

AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER

X-axis X-axis
Y-axis Y-axis
Z-axis Z-axis

POWER SUPPLY POWER SUPPLY

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 19

 Overview
• Pulse shapes (waveforms) come in a digital notation from the
GRAD-M board and are A/D converted on the main board of
the GCI.
• Due to the high current loads and heavy duty cycle, gradient
systems dissipate a lot of heat.
– Gradient coils are cooled by
• Forced air
• Closed loop water cooling.
• Changing current flows in the gradient coil
– The interaction of the gradient field and the main field tries
to move (and distort) the gradient coil.
– This is heard as the beating noise of the MRI scan.
• Stronger gradients and/or faster switching gradients will
create higher noise levels. Current typical noise levels of >85
dB are already sufficient to require that patients must be
given hearing protection during MR procedures.

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 20

 Gradient Waveform Characteristics

Amplitude
(mT/m)

Slew Rate – Amplitude

(mT/m/ms)

Time (ms)
Risetime

• Amplitude: (mT/m)
• Risetime: time to change from 0 to required amplitude (ms)
• Slew rate: magnetic field gradient change per unit of time (mT/m/ms)

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 21

 Commercially important
Gradient Characteristics

• Amplitude mT/m
• Slewrate T/m/s
• (Rise time ms)
• Linearity (%)
• Bore cm
• (Duty Cycle %)

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 23

 Commercially important
imaging parameters
• Gradients determine the values of basic MR imaging
parameters:

– Resolution
• Minimum FOV (at constant matrix)
• Maximum matrix size (at constant FOV)
• Minimum slice thickness

– Scan speed
• Minimum echo time and hence
• Minimum repetition time
• Diffusion sensitivity

• But also: gradient linearity determines max FOV

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 24

 What is commercially important?
Gradient Amplitude

Gradient Amplitude
Improved spatial resolution:
+minimum FOV
+maximum matrix size
+minimum slice thickness
Improved diffusion

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 25

 What is commercially important?
Slewrate

Gradient Slewrate

Improved temporal resolution

+shortest TE
+shortest TR
Improved better T1W, MRA
and lung imaging)

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 26

 What is commercially important?
Linearity of the gradient field

• How accurate is the field ?

• Requires More Power

• Complex • Requires Less Power
• Accurate results • Simple
• Needs Correction

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 27

 What is commercially important?
Linear vs. Non-Linear

PHILIPS

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 28

 What is commercially important?
Linear vs. Non-Linear

Corrected Image

Correction
Algorithm

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 29

 Achieva
Friendly for Patients
The Achieva has...
SofTone

SofTone
Inside.

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 30

 Achieva
Gradient Technology

TM
With SofTone TM
Regular
Noise Reduction

Intera gradients: “Changing how the worlds listens to

MR”

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 31

 Gradient Coil Current and Voltage
Gradient Coil
• Inductive part (L) I
Current
• Resistive part (R) through coil
0

I V
R Voltage over
inductive part
V
0

V = -L * dI/dt
L
V Voltage over
resistive part
0 V = I*R
To get a current flow I through the coil, V
Total voltage
a voltage V has to be put across it over the coil
0
V=
= -L( ) + * t in ms
-L * dI/dt + (I*R)

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 32

 Eddy currents

GRADIENT FIELD RESPONSE

DEMAND SIGNAL

WANTED

RESULT

RESULT

GRADIENT FIELD RESPONSE

DUE TO EDDY CURRENTS
DEMAND SIGNAL WITH
EDDY CURRENT COMPENSATION

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 33

 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe
the following:
– MR Basix as related to the Achieva
– Pulse Sequence
– Gradient Fields
– Gradient Axes
– Gradient Characteristics
• Achieva Gradient Safety
– Service Access
– Installation
• Achieva Gradient Configurations
– Gradients
– Coils
• Achieva Gradient Specifications
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 34
 Safety Copley 271 / 281+

271 Bus supply

281+ Bus supply

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 35

 Safety

Be careful when you open the back door of the

gradient amplifier.

Always keep in mind that the high voltage inside

the gradient amplifier cabinet can be lethal.

Ensure that all HV connections are tight.

Bad connections will burn eventually.

Torque to SMI specifications

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 36

 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe
the following:
– MR Basix as related to the Achieva
– Pulse Sequence
– Gradient Fields
– Gradient Axes
– Gradient Characteristics
• Achieva Gradient Safety
– Service Access
– Installation
• Achieva Gradient Configurations
– Gradients
– Coils
• Achieva Gradient Specifications
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 37
 Gradient Configurations
• Types of amplifiers:
- Copley 271
- +425V
- Copley 281
- +/-425V
- Copley 281+
- +/- 425V
- Output Chokes to slow down and keep in limits

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 38

 Gradient Configurations
- Types of Gradient coils
- TNF-2 Gradient coil with Copley 271
- Watercooled 2
- TNF-3 Gradient coil with Copley281
- Watercooled 5
- TRITON Gradient coil
- Watercooled 3
- 3T Intera Achieva R1.5.4 only
- AG30S Gradient coil
- Watercooled 4
- 3T Achieva R2 only
• The gradient coils are water- and air cooled.

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 39

 Configuration Configurations
BAY 9 BAY 6

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 40

 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe
the following:
– MR Basix as related to the Achieva
– Pulse Sequence
– Gradient Fields
– Gradient Axes
– Gradient Characteristics
• Achieva Gradient Safety
– Service Access
– Installation
• Achieva Gradient Configurations
– Gradients
– Coils
• Achieva Gradient Specifications
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 41
 System Consequences Copley 271 vs 281

Units C271 conf C281 conf

MR system KVA 85 100
Rated current A/phase < 125 < 135
Peak current A/phase, <5ms 300 300
Switch-on current x rated current <6 <6
Nominal fuse rating A rms 140 150
Maximum fuse rating A rms 160 160

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 42

 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe
the following:
– MR Basix as related to the Achieva
– Pulse Sequence
– Gradient Fields
– Gradient Axes
– Gradient Characteristics
• Achieva Gradient Safety
– Service Access
– Installation
• Achieva Gradient Configurations
– Gradients
– Coils
• Achieva Gradient Specifications
CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 43
 End of Lesson

CSIP Level 1 Philips Healthcare Revision: 08 Dec 2008 44