Electromagnetic design of a 1.5T open MRI superconducting magnet

Abstract The open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is more patient-friendly and is easier for interventional therapy than the cylindrical MRIs owing to the large patient bore. In this work, a 1.5T open MRI magnet was designed. To evaluate the split-bore magnet design, several system parameters are presented that include magnetic field performance, stress, sensitivity, superconducting wire and operating current margin. The critical design parameters of the open magnet were carefully evaluated which include a maximum hoop stress 85.1MPa, operating current 481A with margin 29.10%, inductance 103.60H and storage energy 11.99MJ. The improved magnet optimization method has the capability to tackle complicated magnet design and the proposed 1.5T open magnet design has a safe hoop stress and current margin. However, some potential risks such as large Lorentz force should be specially evaluated during the magnet support structure design and fabrication.