Novel gradient coil set with canceled net thrust force for nuclear magnetic resonance applications

Abstract

The interaction of the spatially varying main field components of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system with the currents of a gradient coil set generates axial and transverse Lorentz forces. In this paper, a novel technique for designing minimum inductance gradient coils with zero net axial and lateral Lorentz force is presented. Design examples are given for a short magnet geometry. A theoretical comparison between force-canceled and traditional gradient coils reveals a 270 to 2200 fold reduction for the Lorentz force, with up to 12% increase in stored energy.