AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION OF A LOW FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM
In some aspects, a method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a B 0 magnet and at least one thermal management component configured to transfer heat away from the B 0 magnet during operation is provided. The method comprises providing operating power to the B 0 magnet, monitoring a temperature of the B 0 magnet to determine a current temperature of the B 0 magnet, and operating the at least one thermal management component at less than operational capacity in response to an occurrence of at least one event.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of operating a portable low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising magnetic and power components for performing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the method comprising:
transporting the MRI system to a location of a subject to be imaged;
connecting the MRI system to a non-mains power source; and
operating the MRI system to perform MR imaging of the subject using power from the non-mains power source.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the non-mains power source is a backup generator.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the MRI system performs MRI imaging only if the non-mains power source is determined to have sufficient power quality.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the MRI system comprises a transport mechanism configured to allow the MRI system to be carted to different locations.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein transporting the MRI system to the location of subject comprises wheeling the MRI system to the location.
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises motorized wheels to allow the MRI system to be wheeled to the location using the motorized wheels.
27 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the non-mains power source is a second non-mains power source, and wherein the method further comprises, prior to connecting the MRI system to the second non-mains power source:
connecting the MRI system to a first non-mains power source; and
determining that the first non-mains power does not have sufficient power quality for operation of the MRI system.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein determining that the first non-mains power source does not have sufficient power quality for operation of the MRI system comprises receiving a corresponding alert or notification from the MRI system.
29 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the non-mains power source is a first power supply, and wherein the method further comprises connecting the MRI system to a second power supply based on an assessment of the first power supply.
30 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising determining whether the non-mains power source provides sufficient power quality for operation of the MRI system.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein determining whether the non-mains power source provides sufficient power quality comprises assessing current draw from the non-mains power source.
32 . The method of claim 30 , determining whether the non-mains power source provides sufficient power quality comprises assessing a voltage level corresponding to the non-mains power source.
33 . The method of claim 30 , determining whether the non-mains power source provides sufficient power quality comprises assessing a noise level present in current supplied by the non-mains power source.
34 . The method of claim 30 , determining whether the non-mains power source provides sufficient power quality comprises assessing a wiring integrity corresponding to the non-mains power source.
35 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the MRI system operates with a B 0 field of less than or equal to 0.2 T.
36 . A portable low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising magnetic and power components for performing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the MRI system configured to:
connect to a non-mains power source;
perform a system assessment to determine whether the non-mains power source provides sufficient power quality for operation of the MRI system to perform MR imaging; and
perform MR imaging using power from the non-mains power source only if the system assessment indicates the power quality from the non-mains power source is sufficient.
37 . The portable low-field MRI system of claim 36 , wherein the non-mains power source is a backup power generator.
38 . The portable low-field MRI system of claim 36 , further configured to generate a perceivable alert or notification based on the system assessment.
39 . The portable low-field MRI system of claim 36 , wherein the system assessment evaluates one or more of a voltage level, a current draw, a noise level present in current supplied by the non-mains power source, and/or wiring integrity of the non-mains power source.
40 . The portable low-field MRI system of claim 36 , configured to operate with a B 0 field of less than or equal to 0.2 T.