Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus which may include: a body portion having a cavity with a first and second ends and at least one opening situated at one of the first and second ends. The cavity may define a longitudinal axis (LA) extending between the first and second ends. At least one main magnet may generate a main magnetic field having a substantially homogenous magnetic field within the cavity. A center shim (CS) which may be formed from a ring having opposed edges and which may extend along a length of the longitudinal axis of the cavity. One or more discrete shims (DSs) may be situated between the CS and at least one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus which may include: a body portion having a cavity with a first and second ends and at least one opening situated at one of the first and second ends. The cavity may define a longitudinal axis (LA) extending between the first and second ends. At least one main magnet may generate a main magnetic field having a substantially homogenous magnetic field within the cavity. A center shim (CS) which may be formed from a ring having opposed edges and which may extend along a length of the longitudinal axis of the cavity. One or more discrete shims (DSs) may be situated between the CS and at least one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A chamber (422) for a cryostat (420) includes: first and second annular sections (4221, 4222) separated and spaced apart from each other along a first direction, and a third annular section (4223) extending in the first direction between the first and second annular sections and connecting the first and second annular sections to each other. The first and second annular sections define corresponding first and second internal volumes, the third annular section defines a third internal volume, and the third internal volume is substantially less than the first internal volume and substantially less than the second internal volume.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus which includes: a body portion (102) having a cavity (106) with a first and second ends and at least one opening situated at one of the first and second ends. The cavity may define a longitudinal axis (LA) extending between the first and second ends. At least one main magnet may generate a main magnetic field having a substantially homogenous magnetic field within the cavity. A center shim (CS) which may be formed from a ring having opposed edges (131) and which may extend along a length of the longitudinal axis of the cavity. One or more discrete shims (DSs) may be situated between the CS and at least one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrically conductive coil which produces a magnetic field when an electrical current passes therethrough; a selectively activated persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump; at least one sensor which detects an operating parameter of the apparatus and outputs at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller. The magnet controller receives the sensor signal(s) and in response thereto detects whether an operating fault (e.g. a power loss to the compressor of a cryocooler) exists in the apparatus, and when an operating fault is detected, connects the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit. The energy dump unit disperses the energy outside of the cryostat.

Abstract: An apparatus including an electrically conductive coil which produces a magnetic field when an electrical current passes therethrough; a selectively activated persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump; at least one sensor which detects an operating parameter of the apparatus and outputs at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller. The magnet controller receives the sensor signal(s) and in response thereto detects whether an operating fault exists in the apparatus, and when an operating fault is detected, connects the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit. The energy dump unit disperses the energy outside of the cryostat.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrically conductive coil which produces a magnetic field when an electrical current passes therethrough; a selectively activated persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump; at least one sensor which detects an operating parameter of the apparatus and outputs at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller. The magnet controller receives the sensor signal(s) and in response thereto detects whether an operating fault (e.g. a power loss to the compressor of a cryocooler) exists in the apparatus, and when an operating fault is detected, connects the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit. The energy dump unit disperses the energy outside of the cryostat.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus which includes: a body portion (102) having a cavity (106) with a first and second ends and at least one opening situated at one of the first and second ends. The cavity may define a longitudinal axis (LA) extending between the first and second ends. At least one main magnet may generate a main magnetic field having a substantially homogenous magnetic field within the cavity. A center shim (CS) which may be formed from a ring having opposed edges (131) and which may extend along a length of the longitudinal axis of the cavity. One or more discrete shims (DSs) may be situated between the CS and at least one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A chamber (422) for a cryostat (420) includes: first and second annular sections (4221, 4222) separated and spaced apart from each other along a first direction, and a third annular section (4223) extending in the first direction between the first and second annular sections and connecting the first and second annular sections to each other. The first and second annular sections define corresponding first and second internal volumes, the third annular section defines a third internal volume, and the third internal volume is substantially less than the first internal volume and substantially less than the second internal volume.

Abstract: An apparatus including an electrically conductive coil which produces a magnetic field when an electrical current passes therethrough; a selectively activated persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump; at least one sensor which detects an operating parameter of the apparatus and outputs at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller. The magnet controller receives the sensor signal(s) and in response thereto detects whether an operating fault (e.g. a power loss to the compressor of a cryocooler) exists in the apparatus, and when an operating fault is detected, connects the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit. The energy dump unit disperses the energy outside of the cryostat.