Ferrofluidic cooling and acoustical noise reduction in magnetic stimulators
A ferrofluid chamber has a housing that is adapted to be coupled to a component that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to stimulate anatomical tissue. In addition, a ferrofluid is disposed within the housing for cooling the component.
1. A ferrofluid chamber, comprising:
a housing adapted to be coupled to a first component that generates a first pulsing magnetic field of sufficient strength to stimulate anatomical tissue;
a ferrofluid disposed within the housing for cooling the first component, wherein the housing facilitates thermal and magnetic convection of the ferrofluid when exposed to the first pulsing magnetic field; and,
a second component proximate to the housing for creating a second magnetic field, wherein the ferrofluid experiences magnetic convection when exposed to the second magnetic field.
2. The chamber of claim 1 , wherein the housing is disposed around the first component so as to substantially enclose an acoustic noise-producing region of the first component.
3. The chamber of claim 1 , wherein the ferrofluid contained within the housing and the first component form a first noise-attenuating interface.
4. The chamber of claim 1 , wherein the ferrofluid is resistant to shear sound waves.
5. The chamber of claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger for cooling the ferrofluid.
6. The chamber of claim 5 , wherein the heat exchanger is a heat sink.
7. The chamber of claim 5 , wherein the housing is configured to facilitate thermal and magnetic convection of the ferrofluid between the first component and the heat exchanger.
8. The chamber of claim 5 , wherein the ferrofluid contained within the housing and the heat exchanger form a second noise-attenuating interface.
9. The chamber of claim 5 , wherein the heat exchanger is coupled to the housing.
10. The chamber of claim 1 , wherein the first component is a coil.
11. The chamber of claim 10 , wherein the coil has a ferromagnetic core.
12. The chamber of claim 10 , wherein the coil has an air core.
13. The chamber of claim 1 , wherein the first component stimulates human brain tissue in connection with transcranial magnetic stimulation or magnetic seizure therapy.
14. The chamber of claim 1 , further comprising a pumping mechanism to cause the ferrofluid to circulate between the first component and a heat exchanger.
15. The chamber of claim 14 , wherein the pumping mechanism is a magnetic material for causing circulation of the ferrofluid when in the presence of the magnetic field.