Abstract: A magnet suitable for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. The magnet includes a magnet body having a bore extending therethrough along an axis of the body and a primary coil structure having at least four primary coils positioned along the axis. A first end coil is adjacent a first end of the bore of the magnet and a second end coil is adjacent a second end of the magnet. The first end coil and the second end coil are spaced apart by no more than 1000 mm and an imaging region produced by the primary coils is of a disk-type.

Abstract: A gradient coil system suitable for use in an MRI system. The gradient coil system having a gradient body having a bore extending therethrough and at least one frustoconical portion arranged about the bore. A diameter of a first end of the bore is greater than a diameter of a second end of the bore. The gradient coil system also includes a gradient coil assembly arranged about the bore having at least one frustoconical section substantially conforming to the at least one frustoconical portion of the body, the gradient coil assembly generating gradient fields in a Diameter of Spherical Volume (DSV) for medical imaging.

Abstract: A magnet suitable for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. The magnet includes a magnet body having a bore extending therethrough along an axis of the body and a primary coil structure having at least four primary coils positioned along the axis. A first end coil is adjacent a first end of the bore of the magnet and a second end coil is adjacent a second end of the magnet. The first end coil and the second end coil are spaced apart by no more than 1000 mm and an imaging region produced by the primary coils is of a disk-type.

Abstract: A gradient coil system suitable for use in an MRI system. The gradient coil system having a gradient body having a bore extending therethrough and at least one frustoconical portion arranged about the bore. A diameter of a first end of the bore is greater than a diameter of a second end of the bore. The gradient coil system also includes a gradient coil assembly arranged about the bore having at least one frustoconical section substantially conforming to the at least one frustoconical portion of the body, the gradient coil assembly generating gradient fields in a Diameter of Spherical Volume (DSV) for medical imaging.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system uses a superconducting magnet having a primary coil structure and a shielding coil layer. The primary coil structure comprises at least three sets of coils with significantly different inner diameters, forming a three-bore magnet structure. The three bores are coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis, with the largest diameter first bore on one side of the magnet and the smallest diameter third bore on another side of the magnet, as well as a medium diameter second bore located axially between the first and the third bores. The first bore allows access for the head and shoulders and permits the head to enter into the second bore for imaging, while the patient's extremities (hands, legs) may access through the third bore for producing images of the extremity joints. The magnet may also be used for other specialist imaging where use of a whole-body MRI is unwarranted, such as the imaging of neonates.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system uses a superconducting magnet having a primary coil structure and a shielding coil layer. The primary coil structure comprises at least three sets of coils with significantly different inner diameters, forming a three-bore magnet structure. The three bores are coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis, with the largest diameter first bore on one side of the magnet and the smallest diameter third bore on another side of the magnet, as well as a medium diameter second bore located axially between the first and the third bores. The first bore allows access for the head and shoulders and permits the head to enter into the second bore for imaging, while the patient's extremities (hands, legs) may access through the third bore for producing images of the extremity joints. The magnet may also be used for other specialist imaging where use of a whole-body MRI is unwarranted, such as the imaging of neonates.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system is provided which employs a shielded, electromagnetically asymmetric and low-stress magnet to produce a superior sized imaging region close to the patient side. The magnet has a double layered configuration. In the primary layer, the magnet includes at least two strongest coils at two ends of the magnet (end coils), which carry current in the same direction. The magnet may include at least one coil close to the end coils which carries current in a direction opposite to that of the end coils. The magnet employs a plurality of smaller sized coils (4-7, relative to the large end-coils) in the central region of the primary layer, and these coils are located asymmetrically relative to the imaging region centre. The magnet is shielded by a plurality (1-5) of shielding coils, which carry current in a direction opposite to that of the end-coils at primary layer.