Abstract: A matrix shim coil apparatus includes a plurality of coils configured to provide high order shimming. Each coil has a figure eight shape and a first loop and a second loop. In another embodiment, each coil is further folded along an axis of the coil creating a folded coil with an upper portion and a lower portion.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system having a vacuum vessel positioned about an imaging volume, one or more high temperature superconducting coils positioned within the vacuum vessel, and a cryocooler coupled to the vacuum vessel to operate the superconducting coil at a temperature above 10 K. At least one gradient coil is positioned between an imaging volume and the superconducting coil without any thermal shielding interposed between the gradient coil and the superconducting coil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for making a wire comprising contacting a first end of a first superconducting wire with a second end of a second superconducting wire, wherein the superconducting wire comprises a superconducting filament having a superconducting composition comprising magnesium diboride; heating the first end of the first superconducting wire with the second end of the second superconducting wire at a point to form a joint, wherein the superconducting filament having the superconducting composition is in continuous electrical contact with any other part of the superconducting filament after the formation of the joint.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly comprising a fixed permanent magnet body and a movable permanent magnet body which is movable relative to the fixed permanent magnet body.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for an imaging apparatus having a permanent magnet body having a first surface and a stepped second surface which is adapted to face an imaging volume of the imaging apparatus, wherein the stepped second surface contains at least four steps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of shimming a magnet assembly of an MR imaging system such that a desired B0 field strength may be created with minimal inhomogeneities therethrough. With this method, sufficient shimming of the magnet assembly may be achieved without requiring mechanical variations to the magnet assembly after the magnet assembly has been assembled. The invention analyzes variations from the desired B0 field and inhomogeneities at a number of target points along the magnet assembly or B0 field. A comparison is then made at each point to determine a shimming or weighting factor such that the desired overall B0 field strength and targeted field homogeneity is achieved. Active and/or passive shim elements may then be incorporated into the magnet assembly at each target point to achieve the desired overall field strength and minimum overall field homogeneity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of shimming a magnet assembly of an MR imaging system such that a desired BO field strength may be created with minimal inhomogeneities therethrough. With this method, sufficient shimming of the magnet assembly may be achieved without requiring mechanical variations to the magnet assembly after the magnet assembly has been assembled. The invention analyzes variations from the desired B0 field and inhomogeneities at a number of target points along the magnet assembly or B0 field. A comparison is then made at each point to determine a shimming or weighting factor such that the desired overall B0 field strength and targeted field homogeneity is achieved. Active and/or passive shim elements may then be incorporated into the magnet assembly at each target point to achieve the desired overall field strength and minimum overall field homogeneity.