Design Study of a Human-scale Superconducting Magnetic Particle Imaging (Mpi) System Using Conduction-cooled Hts Coils

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is an advanced imaging modality that enables high temporal resolution functional imaging with zero tissue background signal. The adaptation of MPI scanners from small-animal research platforms to human-scale clinical applications introduces significant engineering challenges, particularly in generating high-gradient and temporally stable selection fields necessary for spatial encoding. Previous selection coil designs utilizing low-temperature superconductors (LTS), such as NbTi, have achieved the required gradient strengths but are dependent on liquid helium bath cooling. This reliance results in substantial operational costs, increased system complexity, and mechanical vibrations caused by cryogen boil-off and suspended cryostat structures, which may compromise image stability and signal integrity in MPI. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) have been investigated in recent years for high-gradient field generation in MPI applications due to their high current density and elevated operating temperatures. These studies indicate that HTS technology has the potential to address key limitations of LTS-based systems. However, the implementation of HTS magnets in human-scale MPI remains limited by unresolved challenges, including quench protection, mechanical robustness under large Lorentz forces, and the absence of integrated system-level design approaches tailored to MPI-specific requirements such as vibration suppression and gradient stability. This study introduces a next-generation HTS selection coil architecture specifically designed for human-scale MPI. The system utilizes REBCO tapes in a fully conduction-cooled, or 'dry,' configuration, thereby eliminating the need for liquid cryogens and providing a mechanically rigid structure that suppresses vibration sources. A no-insulation winding strategy with stainless steel reinforcement enables inherent quench self-protection and thermal stability. A comprehensive multi-physics design framework, integrating electromagnetic, thermal, and structural analyses, demonstrates a peak selection-field gradient of 5.58 T/m while maintaining both thermal and mechanical integrity. These results establish a robust and clinically viable pathway for HTS-based human-scale MPI systems.