Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields

Details Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields

1998-03-03

2001-08-14

Ramirez, Nestor (Department: 2834)

Electrical generator or motor structure

Non-dynamoelectric

Piezoelectric elements and devices

Reexamination Certificate

active

06274965

ABSTRACT:

REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENTS
The present application claims priority to German patent application 197 09 267.5, which was filed on Mar. 6, 1997 and entitled Motor für die Anwendung Magnetfeld, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to motors, and more particularly to motors for use in applications, such as medical imaging, that place the motor in strong magnetic fields.
BACKGROUND
Magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) is used to generate images of the inside of a patient's body. MRI uses magnets and coils to generate a strong and uniform magnetic field that causes the electrons in a patient's body to spin in a uniform and predictable manner. The MRI equipment can then manipulate the spinning electrons and use the resulting information to generate an image of the inside of a patient's body.
The difficulty is that disruptions and deflections in the magnetic field will effect the spinning reaction of the electrons. As a result, the generated image may show artifacts that distort the image of the patients body. One source of distortion is equipment such as motors that are in the vicinity of the MRI machine. Motors are generally formed with material that produces a magnetic field and/or is susceptible to producing its own magnetic field when placed within an external magnetic field. Examples of such materials that are commonly used in motors include iron and brass. Thus, when placed in the field generated by the MRI machine, the motors can cause artifacts in the image of the patient's body.
Therefore, there is a need for a motor that can be placed near an MRI machine that has minimal risk of creating artifacts that the MRI generates. There is a related need for a motor that does not produce a magnetic field. There is yet another need for a motor that has a low susceptibility of being induced to produce a magnetic field.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a motor for use in magnetic fields that are generated for medical imaging. The motor comprises a stator. The stator includes a piezoelectric material and is configured to generate vibrations when subjected to a voltage gradient. A rotor is arranged and configured so that vibrations generated in the stator will propel the rotor. A drive shaft is connected to the rotor. The rotor and drive shaft are formed from a material that generates low levels of artifacts in the medical image.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of using a motor. The method comprised the steps of: generating a magnetic field for magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetic field having a strength of about 0.05 Tesla or greater; providing a motor being formed of materials that produce low levels of magnetic artifacts; and placing the motor in the magnetic field wherein the magnetic field remains substantially undeflected by the motor.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4933981 (1990-06-01), Lederer
patent: 5233257 (1993-08-01), Luthier et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2521596