MRI Scanner’s Vibration Isolation : Experimental Measurements, Analysis Techniques and Analytical Models

Modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners employ techniques for faster switching of currentsin the gradient coils. The aim is to improve the imaging quality and/or shorter scanning time at thecost of further escalating the associated vibration and noise excited by the Lorentz forces in the gradientcoil. These developments necessitate the employment of effective vibration isolation measures, both priorand post installation, for which a comprehensive analysis of the vibration transfer paths is essential. Such ananalysis is presented in this paper for an operational MRI scanner. The vibration transfer paths are studiedboth analytically and experimentally. Based on the spectral analysis results, improvements in the existingvibration isolation mechanism are discussed