Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for obtaining imaging data using a MRI system configured to provide accurate images with high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) using superconducting magnets with field strengths in the range of 0.5 Tesla (T) to 3 T. The MRI includes a scanning bore deployed within a Cryogen-Free (CF) conduction-cooled superconducting magnet. The CF may have two stages, in which one stage cools a radiation shield down to a mid-level temperature, such as 35-80 degrees Kelvin (K), and the second stage cools the cold-mass further down to about 3-6 degrees K. The two-stage CF cryocooloer is used to cool target bodies of the superconducting magnet system and the receiving RF coil to create a higher SNR relative to when RF coils are not cooled. Sapphire sheets or bars may be used to cool the RF coils because sapphire conducts heat but not electricity, reducing electrical noise.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for obtaining imaging data using a MRI system configured to provide accurate images with high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) using superconducting magnets with field strengths in the range of 0.5 Tesla (T) to 3 T. The MRI includes a scanning bore deployed within a Cryogen-Free (CF) conduction-cooled superconducting magnet. The CF may have two stages, in which one stage cools a radiation shield down to a mid-level temperature, such as 35-80 degrees Kelvin (K), and the second stage cools the cold-mass further down to about 3-6 degrees K. The two-stage CF cryocooloer is used to cool target bodies of the superconducting magnet system and the receiving RF coil to create a higher SNR relative to when RF coils are not cooled. Sapphire sheets or bars may be used to cool the RF coils because sapphire conducts heat but not electricity, reducing electrical noise.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for cryogenic cooling of systems operating at cryogenic temperatures or higher. Applications of this disclosure are as varied as trucking of meat and vegetable to mine sweeping and MRI systems. A cooling network is formed by coupling blocks of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) modules together with optional thermal switches or valves and optionally with an active cooling component to maintain a cryogenic temperature in a cryostat. The TES modules are combinations of thermal conducting elements to conduct heat and solid storage elements to absorb heat. The cooling component may be one or more cryocoolers for steady state and transient heat transfer conditions and may be coupled with the TES modules via thermal shunt connections. The thermal switches or valves may be deployed within the thermal shunts to control the flow of heat between different TES modules and cooling components, thus reconfiguring the cooling network.

Abstract: Embodiments for a cryohead heat transfer coupling as well as methods for extracting heat from an article using these couplings are provided. Couplings employ a component made from a material having a greater mean thermal coefficient of expansion than the mean thermal coefficient of expansion of other coupling components and of the article. As a result, differential contraction during cryocooling contributes a shrink fitting of a portion of the coupling resulting in enhanced thermal conduction when cooling and a releasing of the coupling when ambient temperature is restored.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for reducing the cool down time of a superconducting magnet and increasing the heat capacity of its cold-mass within an actively or passively shielded, Cryogen-Free (CF), conduction-cooled superconducting magnet. In these methods, while cooling substances are circulated by a network of tubes around the radiation shield and the cold-mass of the magnet system to speed up the cooling process of the system, at least a part of the cooling substance or another substance is left and sealed within the tubing network to increase the heat capacity of the system and to prevent rapid rise of temperature in cases such as an occasional/accidental system shutdown.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for obtaining imaging data from human head, jaws, sinuses, extremities and even full body, while standing, sitting or lying down. The disclosed MRI system is configured to accommodate patient shoulders in some embodiments. In various embodiments the cross section of the bore may be circular, oval, or any other appropriate and useful geometric shape. In some embodiments the body of the MRI scanner is rotatably mounted on a variable height stand to adjust for any orientation of the patient and patient's body parts.

Abstract: Embodiments for a cryohead heat transfer coupling as well as methods for extracting heat from an article using these couplings are provided. Couplings employ a component made from a material having a greater mean thermal coefficient of expansion than the mean thermal coefficient of other coupling components and of the article. As a result, differential contraction during cryocooling contributes a shrink fitting of a portion of the coupling resulting in enhanced thermal conduction when cooling and a releasing of the coupling when ambient temperature is restored.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for obtaining imaging data from human extremities using an Extremities MRI (EMRI) system configured to accommodate both legs of a patient during scanning by providing multiple bores, including a scanning bore and one or more non-scanning bores, deployed within an actively or passively shielded, Cryogen-Free (CF), cooled superconducting electromagnet. In various embodiments, the non-scanning bores are located between field or main coils and shield coils, and the cross sections of the bores may be circular, oval, or any other appropriate and useful geometric shape. The longitudinal axis of extra bores may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scanning bore. In various embodiments, the EMRI system may have a passively shielded superconducting magnet in which the other leg may be placed between the outside of a cryostat of the superconducting magnet and the ferromagnetic shield components.

Abstract: A Cryogen-Free (CF) type MRI superconducting magnet system capable of monitoring the conditions of the system components and, in case of a foreseeable quench, discharging the superconducting magnet at any desired discharge voltage before occurrence of quench.

Abstract: A Cryogen-Free (CF) type MRI superconducting magnet system capable of monitoring the conditions of the system components and, in case of a foreseeable quench, discharging the superconducting magnet at any desired discharge voltage before occurrence of quench.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for saving energy while a superconducting magnet system is not being used and for reducing the time required for the re-establishment of the operating conditions of the system. Traditionally, during an inactive time interval, the temperature of the magnet coils is not allowed to rise, and the system is kept ON, in operating conditions. This results in wasting a large amount of energy for keeping the magnet coils at cryogenic temperatures. Turning the system OFF has never been an option since re-establishment of the operating conditions is very time consuming and costly. The present disclosure offers methods and systems that allow idling of a system in temperatures higher than the magnet coils' intended operating temperature, which results in noticeable savings.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for saving energy while a superconducting magnet system is not being used and for reducing the time required for the re-establishment of the operating conditions of the system. Traditionally, during an inactive time interval, the temperature of the magnet coils is not allowed to rise, and the system is kept ON, in operating conditions. This results in wasting a large amount of energy for keeping the magnet coils at cryogenic temperatures. Turning the system OFF has never been an option since re-establishment of the operating conditions is very time consuming and costly. The present disclosure offers methods and systems that allow idling of a system in temperatures higher than the magnet coils' intended operating temperature, which results in noticeable savings.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for obtaining imaging data from human extremities using an Extremities MRI (EMRI) system configured to accommodate both legs of a patient during scanning by providing multiple bores, including a scanning bore and one or more non-scanning bores, deployed within an actively or passively shielded, Cryogen-Free (CF), cooled superconducting electromagnet. In various embodiments, the non-scanning bores are located between field or main coils and shield coils, and the cross sections of the bores may be circular, oval, or any other appropriate and useful geometric shape. The longitudinal axis of extra bores may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scanning bore. In various embodiments, the EMRI system may have a passively shielded superconducting magnet in which the other leg may be placed between the outside of a cryostat of the superconducting magnet and the ferromagnetic shield components.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for cryogenic cooling of systems operating at cryogenic temperatures or higher. Applications of this disclosure are as varied as trucking of meat and vegetable to mine sweeping and MRI systems. A cooling network is formed by coupling blocks of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) modules together with optional thermal switches or valves and optionally with an active cooling component to maintain a cryogenic temperature in a cryostat. The TES modules are combinations of thermal conducting elements to conduct heat and solid storage elements to absorb heat. The cooling component may be one or more cryocoolers for steady state and transient heat transfer conditions and may be coupled with the TES modules via thermal shunt connections. The thermal switches or valves may be deployed within the thermal shunts to control the flow of heat between different TES modules and cooling components, thus reconfiguring the cooling network.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus to confine a plurality of charged particles that include a plurality of coil heads that includes a plurality of superconducting coils, a bobbin and a plurality of insulation material and a plurality of support legs that include 2 support legs that are in conductive contact with each coil head and 2 support legs that are in physical contact with each coil head. The apparatus includes a base with a cryocooler inlet and a vacuum flange and a conductive cold element that is in the interior of the base, the conductive cold element is attached to the conductive rods of the 2 support legs that are in conductive contact with each coil head and the superconducting coils.

Abstract: High magnetic field gradient strength superconducting coil systems for use in medical applications are provided. Systems capable of providing time-varying gradient magnetic field strength greater than 50 mT/m, over a spherical volume with a diameter greater than 20 centimeters include superconducting gradient coils and a heat conduction assemblage in physical contact with each coil.

Abstract: A reinforced superconducting coil and method for the reinforcement of such coil utilizing composite superconducting wires clad with high-strength material are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing clad superconducting wire for use in superconducting coils, such wire having improved resistance to electromagnetic forces by using composite superconducting wires that are clad with selected high-stiffness high-strength materials.

Abstract: A reinforced superconducting coil and method for the reinforcement of such coil utilizing composite superconducting wires clad with high-strength material are disclosed.

Abstract: The current invention provides, in some embodiments, superconducting cryostat apparatuses, and methods for containing a coolant within the apparatuses and for cooling the apparatuses. The superconducting apparatuses provided by the invention include a self-contained supply of a coolant medium, which can be provided in the form of a pressurized gas. The mass of the coolant medium contained in the apparatus is conserved during operation of the apparatus. The superconducting cryostat apparatuses provided by the invention can be configured, in some embodiments, to eliminate the need for sources of external cooling during operation. The superconducting cryostat apparatuses provided by the invention can be cooled by supplying one or more sealable containers within the apparatuses with a quantity of cooling medium in gaseous form, and sealing the sealable containers.