Abstract: A method of reducing slice profile degradation due to gradient signal amplitude ripple, has steps of: sensing the gradient signal ripple amplitude; normalizing the sensed ripple signal amplitude responsive to the gradient amplitude commanded; and modulating the RF signal amplitude with the adjusted-amplitude ripple signal, to cause the RF and gradient magnetic fields to have an effective vector pointing substantially in the same direction, during the slice-selection interval, as would the effective field vector formed with a gradient field devoid of ripple. Apparatus for reducing the slice profile degradation modulates the RF signal with the ripple envelope obtained from the output of the gradient signal amplifier, by a signal controlled by the gradient amplifier input.

Abstract: A gradient current speed-up circuit, for use in a higher-speed NMR imaging system with a gradient power amplifier and an associated gradient, coil, has a high-voltage power supply which is selectively connected to the associated gradient coil, typical via a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, to supply a pulse of a very high voltage when fast coil rise and fall times are needed. The gradient coil is connected between selected ones of semiconductors devices which are turned on and off in selected patterns, to cause the direction of coil current flow to be determined.

Abstract: A gradient current speed-up circuit, for use in a higher-speed NMR imaging system with a gradient power amplifier and an associated gradient coil, has an energy-storage element, with an inductance typically between 5 and 20 times the inductance of the associated gradient coil. A plurality of semiconductor switching elements receive the current output of the energy-storage element; and the associated gradient coil is connected between selected ones of these semiconductors devices. The semiconductor devices are turned on and off in selected patterns, to cause the energy-storage element current to be suddenly applied to and removed from flow through the associated gradient coil.

Abstract: A novel surface gradient assembly for high-speed, high-resolution NMR imaging has at least one substantially planar gradient coil. Each of the planar coils is disposed substantially parallel to any other planar coil of the assembly, and in a chosen plane of two selected Cartesian coordinates. Thus, one or more, planar coils lying in, say, the XZ plane can provide a magnetic gradient field in 1, 2 or all 3 of the X, Y and/or Z directions. Each coil can be formed of 1, 2, 4 or more windings, each of which is a "fingerprint" coil of configuration established by current-flow stream functions. An RF shield can be placed between the substantially planar gradient coil(s) and a RF antenna, to prevent interaction between the antenna and gradient coils, so that the quality factor (Q) of the RF antenna is not appreciable lowered.

Abstract: An etched coil for producing a Z-axis magnetic field gradient responsive to flow of a current I, has a number N of pairs of elongated conductive strips, with each strip of a pair being positioned substantially symmetrically about a central insulative cutline, and insulatively spaced from all other strips, and with a first strip being insulatively severed into first and third strip portions; the strips are connected so that current flows into a first one of said strips and then between each successive pair of the strips until the current flows out of a last one of the strips.

Abstract: A method for providing plural coaxial cable connections, each to a different portion of a single radio-frequency (RF) antenna without requiring the use of isolation means at any RF connection, determines at least a point within the antenna having a desired common potential adjacent to each of the different portions to which one of the coaxial cable connections is to be made; Then forms a separate segment of each different portion which is located substantially at the common potential and is reactively separated from adjacent segments of the associated portion; and connects a shield conductor of an associated coaxial cable to the separate segment, while connecting a center conductor of that same associated coaxial cable to a selected one of the adjacent segments of that different portion.

Abstract: A RF volume coil with optimized signal-to-noise ratio, for NMR use, has a reduced length L.sub.c, which is between about 0.3r.sub.s and about 1.5r.sub.s, where r.sub.s is the radius of a sample-to-be-investigated, contained within the cylindrical volume coil, with the volume coil radius r.sub.c being between about 1.0r.sub.s and about 1.6r.sub.s. the "short" volume coil has an improved SNR for a voxel located substantially on the central plane of the coil, relative to the SNR of a "normal"-lenth volume coil with L.sub.c .gtoreq.4r.sub.s.

Abstract: A method for NMR spectroscopy metabolite imaging utilizes the steps of: applying to a desired portion of a sample a pulsed phase-encoding linear magnetic gradient signal in at least one of the three orthogonal dimensions of a Cartesian coordinate set, prior to acquisition of free-induction-decay NMR response signals from the sample portion; substantially eliminating from at least the sample portion eddy current fields induced responsive to the phase-encoding gradient pulses; maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio of the NMR response signals; and displaying the data resulting from Fourier transformation of the received response data. A high-field NMR imaging system is provided with self-shielded gradient coils, to subsantially remove eddy-current effects, and at least one of maximized-SNR antenna, of quadrature-driven volume RF coil and/or surface RF coil types are utilized for both transmission of the excitation RF pulses and reception of the RF response signals.

Abstract: A double-sided RF shield, for use between a set of gradient coils and an RF coil, is a hollow member formed of a conductor-dielectric-conductor laminate. Each conductor is a sheet divided into first and second opposed half-cylinders, each having a plurality of conductive streamline loop portions with a series of nonconductive cut lines formed therebetween, with each of the cut lines being parallel to the RF current. Each of the loops is separated into a "C"-shaped conductive portion along at least one "radial" line cut in each half-cylinder. The cut lines are substantially opposite to one another on opposite surfaces of the half-cylinders, to form a loop with a pair of series capacitances of maximized value, which shield the RF current, yet pass gradient magnetic fields in all three mutually orthogonal directions of a Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: An RF shield, for use between a set of gradient coils and an RF coil, is hollow formed of a single conductor sheet divided into first and second opposed halves, each having a set of conductive streamline portions with a series of nonconductive cut lines formed therebetween. Each of the cut lines is parallel to the RF current and is of a generally oval shape. Each of the shield conductor loops is further separated into a "C"-shaped conductive portion, along at least one radial line, and the C portions are then connected so as to continue shielding the RF current, yet pass gradient magnetic fields in all three mutually orthogonal directions of a Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: A single rotating NMR .pi. pulse provides simultaneous spatially-selective inversion or spin-echo refocussing of nuclear pins in two orthogonal dimensions. The two-dimensional spatially-selective pulse utilizes a single RF pulse, with either a square of an amplitude-modulated or a frequency-modulated envelope, and applied in the presence of an amplitude-modulated magnetic field gradient which reorients through the desired dimensions in which selection is desired while the RF pulse is present. These rotating, or ".rho.", pulses are useful for reduction of aliasing signal artifacts is restricted field-of-view high-resolution NMR imaging and, when combined with one-dimensional-localized chemical shift spectroscpoy techniques (such as those employing surface detection coils) is especially useful for the production of three-dimensionally localized NMR spectra.

Abstract: Self-shielded gradient coils are used to eliminate interactions between gradient coils and external structure. Interactions between gradient coils for different gradient axes are controlled by means of a balanced interconnection within each separate gradient coil set. One or both of the inner and outer coils within a gradient coil set are split such that for any localized capacitive current flow between coil sets there will be an equal and opposite current flow somewhere else between the coil sets.

Abstract: An indirect position estimator for a switched reluctance motor applies short duration, low level sensing pulses to two unenergized phases of the motor. A change in phase current during a sampling period, resulting from the application of the sensing pulse, is sensed and processed to produce an indication of a pair of estimated angles for each of the unenergized phases. A pair of angles for one such unenergized phase is shifted by a value equal to the phase displacement between the two unenergized phases and the shifted angles are then compared to the angles of the second phase to determine which angles match. The matching angle is produced as a signal indicative of the estimated instantaneous rotor position.

Abstract: A two coil system is described which produces a linear gradient field inside and an arbitrarily low field outside the two coil set. By eliminating the field outside the gradient coils, interaction between the gradient coils and external structure can be eliminated. A reduction in eddy current effects of greater than a factor 100 are readily obtained. Two coils are required for each gradient axis instead of one so that some increase in power supply capability may be required.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for use in magnetic resonance imagers requires a minimum of permanent magnet material. The magnets are arranged with a radial direction of magnetization and an iron return path is used. The specific configurations of the permanent magnets provide highly uniform magnetic fields in the bore of the assembly.