Split magnetic resonance imaging system
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a split magnet system having a pair of MRI magnet housings separated by gap. A pair of main MRI magnets are disposed within respective MRI magnet housings. A plurality of buttress assemblies are attached to the MRI magnet housings. Some or all of the buttress assemblies are provided with removable connections to the MRI magnet housings. This allows for partial disassembly of the MRI system for improved transport and maneuverability for relocating the MRI system. The MRI system can include a gantry in the gap for supporting a radiation therapy system. Also, the removably buttress assemblies can be used for housing conduits, such as electrical and fluid conduits, between the pair of MRI magnet housings.
1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:
first and second MRI magnet housings separated by an MRI magnet gap;
a first main MRI magnet disposed within the first MRI magnet housing;
a second main MRI magnet disposed within the second MRI magnet housing;
a first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies attached to the first MRI magnet housing;
a second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies attached to the second MRI magnet housing;
a plurality of central buttress connectors, each configured to be removably connected to a respective one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and to a respective one of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies; and
a cooling system including a fluid conduit for carrying coolant for cooling the first and second main MRI magnets,
wherein at least one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and at least one of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies is removably attached to the respective MRI magnet housing, and
wherein the fluid conduit extends from within the first MRI magnet housing to within the second MRI magnet housing by routing through an interior of the at least one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies that is removably attached, through an interior of the at least of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies that is removably attached, and through an interior of the central buttress connector removably connected to the respective one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and to the respective one of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies.
2. The MRI system of claim 1 , further comprising a gantry positioned in the MRI magnet gap.
3. The MRI system of claim 2 , further comprising a radiation therapy device supported by the gantry.
4. The MRI system of claim 1 , further comprising a power system, the power system including electrical conduit for providing electrical power to the first and second main MRI magnets.
5. The MRI system of claim 4 , wherein the electrical conduit extends from within the first MRI magnet housing to within the second MRI magnet housing by routing through an interior of at least one of the removably attached first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and routing through an interior of at least one of the removably attached second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies, and through an interior of the central buttress connector removably connected to the respective one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and to the respective one of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies.
6. The MRI system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies extends radially from an outer surface of the first MRI magnet housing.
7. The MRI system of claim 1 , wherein each of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies extends radially from an outer surface of the second MRI magnet housing.
8. The MRI system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second MRI magnet housings are substantially cylindrical.
9. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:
first and second MRI magnet housings separated by an MRI magnet gap;
a first main MRI magnet disposed within the first MRI magnet housing;
a second main MRI magnet disposed within the second MRI magnet housing;
a plurality of buttress assemblies attached to the first and second MRI magnet housings, wherein at least one of the plurality of buttress assemblies is removably attached to at least one of the first and second MRI magnet housings, and wherein the removably attached buttress assembly comprises:
a first buttress sub-assembly attached to the first MRI magnet housing;
a second buttress sub-assembly attached to the second MRI magnet housing; and
a central buttress connector that is removably connected to the first and the second buttress sub-assemblies; and
a power system including an electrical conduit for providing electrical power to the first and the second main MRI magnets, wherein the electrical conduit extends from within the first MRI magnet housing to within the second MRI magnet housing by routing through an interior of the first buttress sub-assembly, the second buttress sub-assembly, and the central buttress connector that is removably connected to the first and the second buttress sub-assemblies.
10. The MRI system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of buttress assemblies is removably attached to the first and second MRI magnet housings.
11. The MRI system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of buttress assemblies includes a sub-assembly that is removably attached to one of the first and second MRI magnet housings.
12. The MRI system of claim 9 , wherein the first buttress sub-assembly extends radially from an outer surface of the first MRI magnet housing, and the second buttress sub-assembly extends radially from an outer surface of the second MRI magnet housing.
13. The MRI system of claim 9 , further comprising a gantry positioned in the MRI magnet gap.
14. The MRI system of claim 13 , further comprising a radiation therapy device supported by the gantry.
15. The MRI system of claim 9 , further comprising a cooling system, the cooling system including fluid conduit for carrying coolant for cooling the first and second main MRI magnets.
16. The MRI system of claim 15 , wherein the fluid conduit extends from within the first MRI magnet housing to within the second MRI magnet housing by routing through an interior of the first buttress sub-assembly, the second buttress sub-assembly and the central buttress connector that is removably connected to the first and the second buttress sub-assemblies.
17. The MRI system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second MRI magnet housings are substantially cylindrical.
18. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:
first and second MRI magnet housings separated along a longitudinal axis of the system by an MRI magnet gap positioned centrally between the first and second MRI magnet housings;
a first main MRI magnet disposed about the longitudinal axis and surrounded by the first MRI magnet housing;
a second main MRI magnet disposed about the longitudinal axis and surrounded by the second MRI magnet housing;
a first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies attached to an outer surface of the first MRI magnet housing;
a second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies attached to an outer surface of the second MRI magnet housing; and
a plurality of central buttress connectors, each configured to be removably connected to a respective one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and to a respective one of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies;
wherein at least one of the first plurality of buttress sub-assemblies and at least one of the second plurality of buttress sub-assemblies is removably attached to the respective MRI magnet housing.
19. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:
first and second MRI magnet housings separated along a longitudinal axis of the system by an MRI magnet gap positioned centrally between the first and second MRI magnet housings;
a first main MRI magnet disposed about the longitudinal axis and surrounded by the first MRI magnet housing;
a second main MRI magnet disposed about the longitudinal axis and surrounded by the second MRI magnet housing;
a plurality of buttress assemblies attached to an outer surface of the first and second MRI magnet housings;
a cooling system including a fluid conduit for carrying coolant for cooling the first and second main MRI magnets; and
a power system including an electrical conduit for providing electrical power to the first and second main MRI magnets,
wherein at least one of the plurality of buttress assemblies is removably attached to at least one of the first and second MRI magnet housings, and wherein the fluid conduit and the electrical conduit extends from within the first MRI magnet housing to within the second MRI magnet housing by routing through an interior of the at least one of the plurality of buttress assemblies.