Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for evaluating structural integrity of a gradient coil disposed in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. A sensor obtains a parameter reading of the gradient coil, wherein the parameter reading includes a back electromotive force (back EMF) measurement. The structural integrity of the gradient coil is determined as function of the back EMF measurement.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for evaluating structural integrity of a gradient coil disposed in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. A sensor obtains a parameter reading of the gradient coil, wherein the parameter reading includes a back electromotive force (back EMF) measurement. The structural integrity of the gradient coil is determined as function of the back EMF measurement.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a health status of a gradient coil disposed in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The system includes one or more sensors and a controller. The one or more sensors are operative to obtain one or more parameter readings of the gradient coil, wherein the one or more parameter readings include at least one of an acoustic measurement and a back electromotive force measurement. The controller is in electronic communication with the one or more sensors and operative to generate the health status based on at least one of the acoustic measurement and the back electromotive force measurement.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a health status of a gradient coil disposed in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The system includes one or more sensors and a controller. The one or more sensors are operative to obtain one or more parameter readings of the gradient coil, wherein the one or more parameter readings include at least one of an acoustic measurement and a back electromotive force measurement. The controller is in electronic communication with the one or more sensors and operative to generate the health status based on at least one of the acoustic measurement and the back electromotive force measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes a plurality of warm bore thermal sensors positioned on a surface of the warm bore and a plurality of heater elements positioned on the surface of the warm bore. A heater element thermal sensor is coupled to each of the plurality of heater elements and configured to monitor the temperature of the corresponding heater element. A controller is coupled to the plurality of warm bore thermal sensors and the plurality of heater element thermal sensors. The controller is configured to control each of the plurality of heater elements to maintain a predetermined temperature of the warm bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cooling tube that is mounted on a surface of the warm bore and is configured to transport a coolant. A chiller is coupled to the cooling tube and is configured to provide the coolant to the cooling tube. A controller is coupled to the chiller and is configured to provide a control signal to the chiller to control a temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: A method for compensating for drift in a main magnetic field of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes measuring a pressure in a cryostat of the superconducting magnet. Based on the pressure, a parameter of an element of the MRI system is adjusted to correct or compensate for a change in the main magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cooling tube that is mounted on a surface of the warm bore and is configured to transport a coolant. A chiller is coupled to the cooling tube and is configured to provide the coolant to the cooling tube. A controller is coupled to the chiller and is configured to provide a control signal to the chiller to control a temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes a plurality of warm bore thermal sensors positioned on a surface of the warm bore and a plurality of heater elements positioned on the surface of the warm bore. A heater element thermal sensor is coupled to each of the plurality of heater elements and configured to monitor the temperature of the corresponding heater element. A controller is coupled to the plurality of warm bore thermal sensors and the plurality of heater element thermal sensors. The controller is configured to control each of the plurality of heater elements to maintain a predetermined temperature of the warm bore.

Abstract: A gradient coil or other element of a magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one layer comprised of copper having a first surface and a second surface. A first semiconductor layer is applied to the first surface of the copper and an insulation layer applied to the first semiconductor layer. In one embodiment, a second semiconductor layer is applied to the second surface of the copper. The first and second semiconductor layers encapsulate any voids formed between the copper and the semiconductor layers, equalize the potential around the voids and prevent partial discharge formation.

Abstract: A gradient coil or other element of a magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one layer comprised of copper having a first surface and a second surface. A first semiconductor layer is applied to the first surface of the copper and an insulation layer applied to the first semiconductor layer. In one embodiment, a second semiconductor layer is applied to the second surface of the copper. The first and second semiconductor layers encapsulate any voids formed between the copper and the semiconductor layers, equalize the potential around the voids and prevent partial discharge formation.

Abstract: A motion sensing MRI coil allows correction of motion-induced image artifacts by the MRI machine or on a machine independent basis using correction circuitry associated with the coil.

Abstract: Temperature sensitive MRI measurements are used to monitor the effect of radio signals including the NMR signals themselves. In one embodiment, a closed loop MRI system maximizes acquisition speed without exceeding safety thresholds of tissue temperature by monitoring the tissue temperature using NMR signals in real-time.

Abstract: A phase array coil uses asymmetric loops and selective overlapping to provide a more uniform field sensitivity to magnetic flux passing through the surface defined by multiple such phased array loops.

Abstract: A motion sensing MRI coil allows correction of motion-induced image artifacts by the MRI machine or on a machine independent basis using correction circuitry associated with the coil.

Abstract: A modular lower coil provides for a head, a vascular and, a thoracic/lumbar element that may interfit or be separated to provide individual imaging of these areas or a combined imaging region stretching from the head to the lower spine. A switch box allows individual ones of these elements to be connected to the MRI machine if necessary because of a limitation of inputs to the machine and provides for decoupling currents to minimize interference between the coil elements when one element is being used.

Abstract: Manufacturing of local coils for magnetic resonance imaging systems operating to receive and transmit signals may be simply constructed by applying selected pre-manufactured, modular, multi-component circuits to antenna conductors of the coil.

Abstract: A knee-foot coil provides side coils covering both a side of a tubular foot support and a side of an attached toe chamber. Homogeneity in the signals from these loops is provided by a shunt, separating these side coils into portions with different sensitivities. Upper and lower coils provide for vertical sensitivity, the upper coil optionally surrounding the toe chamber.

Abstract: A phased array coil providing spatial discrimination for simultaneous spin acquisition maximizes transverse and longitudinal acceleration through the use of loops having boundaries tipped to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A local coil for magnetic resonance imaging equipment employs mirror conductors on opposite sides of an insulating substrate to produce lower resistance, higher Q and improved signal-to-noise ratio for a given foil thickness.