Eddy currents in a transverse MRI gradient coil

A transverse gradient coil (x- or y-coil) of an MRI-scanner is modeled as a network of curved circular strips placed at the surface of a cylinder. The current in this network is driven by a time-harmonic source current. The low frequency applied allows for an electro-quasi-static approach. The strips are thin and the current is assumed to be uniformly distributed in the thickness direction. For the current distribution in the width direction of the strips, an integral equation is derived. Its logarithmically singular kernel represents inductive effects related to the occurrence of eddy currents. For curved circular strips of width much smaller than the radius of the cylinder one may locally replace the curved circular strip by a tangent plane circular strip. This plane geometry preserves the main characteristics of the transverse current distribution through the strips. The current distribution depends strongly on the in-plane curvature of the strips. The Petrov–Galerkin method, using Legendre polynomials, is applied to solve the integral equation and shows fast convergence. Explicit results are presented for two examples: a set of 1 strip and one of 10 strips. The results show that the current distributions are concentrated near the inner edges and that resulting edge-effects, both local and global, are non-symmetric. This behavior is more apparent for higher frequencies and larger in-plane curvatures. Results have been verified by comparison with finite-element results

Development of a blood flow model including hypergravity and validation against an analytical model

Fluid structure interaction (FSI) appears in many areas of engineering, e.g. biomechanics, aerospace, medicine and other areas and is often motivated by the need to understand arterial blood flow. FSI plays a crucial role and cannot be neglected when the deformation of a solid boundary affects the fluid behavior and vice versa. This interaction plays an important role in the wave propagation in liquid filled flexible vessels. Additionally, the effect of hyper gravity under certain circumstances should be taken into account, since such exposure can cause alterations in the wave propagation underexposed. Typical examples in which hyper gravity occurs are rollercoaster rides and aircraft or spacecraft flights. This paper presents the development of an arterial blood flow model including hyper gravity. This model has been developed using the finite element method along with the ALE method. This method is used to couple the fluid and structure. In this paper straight and tapered aortic analogues are included. The obtained computational data for the pressure is compared with analytical data available

Hypergravity and multiple reflections in wave propagation in the aorta

Hypergravity and gravity changes encountered in, e.g., airplanes, rollercoasters, and spaceflight can result in headaches or loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral blood flow. This paper describes the effect of hypergravity and gravity changes on the pressure in the aorta and the distension of its wall. The model presented consists of a pressure part caused by gravity and a part representing pressure waves propagating through the vessel. The total pressure is described by a one-dimensional formulation in the frequency domain. To accommodate for geometrical and material variations, the vessel is modeled as a series of sections in which multiple reflections can occur. Results are presented for constant and varying gravity in straight and tapered flexible vessels