Optimal design of an MRI device considering the homogeneity of the magnetic field

This paper is to suggest a concept design of the permanent magnet type magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device based on the parameter optimization method. Pulse currents in the gradient coils will introduce the effect of eddy currents in the ferromagnetic material, which will worsen the quality of imaging. In order to equalize the magnetic flux in the MRI device for good imaging, the eddy current effect in the ferromagnetic material must be taken into account. This study attempts to use the design of experiment (DOE) and the response surface method (RSM) for equalizing the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet type MRI device using that the magnetic flux can be calculated directly using a commercial finite element analysis package. As a result, optimal shapes of the pole and the yoke of the PM type MRI device can be obtained. The commercial package, ANSYS, is used for analyzing the magnetic field problem and obtaining the resultant magnetic flux.