For extremely demanding MRI scans, the degradation of the power switches due to power cycling is one of the limiting factors for the useful lifetime of gradient amplifiers for MRI-scanners. For normal use the bond-wire fatigue of IGBT modules is not a problem but since lifetime consumption of MRI scans vary greatly and reliability is critical in the medical field, insight in the consumed lifetime is desired. This presentation explains how Prodrive provides the customer with insight in the lifetime impact of their MRI sequences and the remaining useful lifetime of the amplifier, in real-time.
Martijn Patelski , Prodrive Technologies