MRI acoustic noise has long been a
concern in terms of patient comfort and, on occasion, patient safety. In order
to attenuate the acoustic noise in MRI scanners, various measures involving both active
and passive control have been investigated. However, these methods are generally
not cost effective and typically attenuate the acoustic noise only at a fixed
frequency or frequency range. A sound absorber for MRI scanners that overcomes these limitations has
been developed by researchers at Queen’s University.
Technology:
The sound absorber reduces the acoustic noise inside the bore
where the patient is located and can be designed for any specific frequency or
range of frequencies. Simulation results and experimental tests demonstrate an
average acoustic noise reduction of over 10dB for a standard imaging
sequence (Magnetic Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo). The absorber can be used with
any MRI scanner and has the following
features:
·
Tailored for any specific frequency or range of frequencies
·
Resonance frequencies can be manually or automatically tuned or adjusted
before or during the scanning process
·
Easily installed into and removed from the scanner
bore
·
No modification to the MRI scanner is
required
·
Made from transparent material – small decrease in bore diameter not
noticeable
Licensing Opportunity:
PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen’s
University, is currently seeking companies interested in licensing the
intellectual property and commercializing the absorber panel
technology.