Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the human body’s e anatomy and physiological processes. Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets.
Our customer JMP Medical who specializes in supplying mobile medical units and MRI storage is working to design and create a mobile MRI laboratory inside the semi-trailer of a truck. ENVIBRA supplied a Dewesoft measurement solution to do the vibration analysis at the scanner’s resonance attachment points.
JMP Medical is the manufacturer of high-end specialized mobile and relocatable medical units. It supplies worldwide healthcare providers by offering relocatable MRI/CT buildings, mobile X-ray and mammography trucks, mobile primary care units, and modular labs.
The advantages of such mobile medical solutions are to:
JMP Medical’s R&D department is constantly testing and researching in response to market needs. This project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Intelligent Development Program. It is implemented as part of a competition of the National Center for Research and Development.
Figure 1. The semi-trailer is attached to the truck and is an MRI laboratory ready to use.
The product of the project will be an innovative magnetic resonance imaging laboratory on a semi-trailer. It aims to provide the possibility of temporary MRI examinations in a healthcare facility and to constitute a fully mobile diagnostic laboratory. The first trailer is in production and the prototype will be tested later this year. The MRI trailer will meet all the requirements for 1.5T MRI laboratories to ensure the highest standard of safety and quality of imaging.
Figure 2. The MRI laboratory setup inside the semi-trailer.
Research and development works will be carried out in 4 stages. When implemented the project will ensure the possibility of performing magnetic resonance imaging at health care facilities where the installation of a stationary laboratory is impossible due to limitations in space, lack of adequate load-bearing capacity of ceilings, etc.
MRI scanners use powerful magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves, and computers to generate images of internal human organs. The scanners employ fast switching of currents in the gradient coils to enhance the imaging quality and shorten scanning time. This, however, generates vibration and noise excited by the electromagnetic forces in the gradient coil.
Once the MRI is installed in a building or, as in this case, a trailer, vibration and noise are introduced due to several reasons:
The MRI noise is propagated through the structure and the air. It may excite other installations, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), to induce more noise, and affect other sensitive equipment. Vibration and noise isolation becomes even more challenging when the structure housing the MRI is not designed for it.
Since the MRI scanners weigh up to thousands of kilograms, structural reinforcement of the floor supporting the MRI may be necessary. This reinforcement may introduce additional transmission paths for the vibration. And the vibration may then further propagate to new parts of the structure.
In short, to prevent any annoyance and unwanted effects on performance a careful study of the MRI noise and vibration properties and the transfer paths is needed. Proper measures are taken accordingly.
ENVIBRA – a Dewesoft partner – is located in Poznan. They specialize in industrial testing machinery and equipment for simulation, recording, and analysis of dynamic signals. The group of experienced engineers provides the Polish market with devices such as:
Data Acquisition Hardware
Figure 3. The measurement workstation with an SBOX and two SIRIUS data acquisition systems.
The Dewesoft SIRIUS high-dynamic USB and EtherCAT data acquisition slices offer a wide range of configuration possibilities. The SIRIUS DAQs can easily be daisy-chained to extend channel count.
SIRIUS modular data acquisition systems
The ultra-rugged SBOX computer and data logger works in tandem with the modular SIRIUS data acquisition systems. It will add SSD data logging and real-time data processing capabilities.
Dewesoft SBOX processing computer and SSD data logger
Figure 4. Installation of uniaxial accelerometers on the right side of the tested object.
The DewesoftX data acquisition software suite offers advanced data recording, signal processing, data analysis, data visualization, and reporting features.
The Dewesoft FFT analyzer (Fast Fourier transformation) option shows the frequency components of acquired signals in amplitude and frequency. The FFT analyzer in Dewesoft has advanced cursor functions, high freely selectable line resolution, flexible averaging as well as advanced functions for in-depth analysis.
The purpose of the test was to perform a vibration analysis at the resonance attachment points on the floor inside the trailer. The aim is to check with the MRI manufacturer’s limits and to confirm simulation models experimentally.
Acceleration was measured during the test ride on a local road as well as in the parking position with the ignition on. Additional parameters were recorded thanks to the flexibility of the SIRIUS units.
Dewesoft SIRIUS signal analyzers with DualCoreADC technology offer excellent dynamic range (up to 160dB) were used to perform the tests. The signal was recorded with a sampling frequency of 10kHz per channel.
SIRIUS devices offer amazing flexibility to select from many available amplifiers which allow connecting different transducers. The measurements were made by mounting the accelerometers at two attachment points on both sides of the MRI device.
A measuring system with the necessary cabling has been mounted at the rear of the semi-trailer. During the test, other signals were recorded:
All measurements were synchronized over time.
Figure 5. Screenshot of measurement window in DEWESoft X3.
According to the manufacturer’s requirements, recorded acceleration signals were filtered with a bandpass filter. We have shown a relationship between the truck’s velocity vs. time presenting the speed below and above 50km/h with a different color.
Using the Math module functionality of DewesoftX software we could add more information to the graph with all events for which the acceleration threshold was exceeded. This easily permitted the conclusion that for lower speeds the acceleration levels were within the manufacturer’s limits.
Additionally, recorded data such as the road profile allowed us to eliminate errors related to road unevenness. Furthermore, we researched the truck staying in the parking position.
DewesoftX software allowed for fast processing and filtering of the sampled data. Road profile recorded with laser displacement sensor and GNSS data gave an additional input and allowed deeper data analysis and visualization.
The versatility of the proposed measurement solution combined with an intuitive software interface were key factors in the customer’s decision process.
