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 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: Magnetic resonance systems are provided which employ a shielded, asymmetric magnet to produce an offset dsv. The magnets include at least a first coil C1, which carries current in a first direction, and two coils C2 and C3, which are located at least in part within the internal envelope EC1 defined by the first coil and which carry current in an opposite direction to the first coil. The magnets are shielded by a shielding coil C4, which carries current in a direction opposite to that of the first coil, and/or a ferromagnetic structure (FS). The magnets can include additional coils, such as a fifth coil C5 at the magnet's distal end. The magnets can be used in, for example, orthopedic imaging.

Abstract: A shielded superconducting MRI magnet system uses a multi-layer shielded coil design. By splitting the magnet coils into a plurality of coil layers, an increased number of degrees of freedom is achieved which, in turn, permits minimization of the overall length of the magnet while nevertheless avoiding excessive magnet field and stress values in the coils. A compact coil system is thereby designed which also satisfies the plurality of MRI requirements with regard to sufficiently large investigational volume, magnet field strength, acceptable homogeneity, and magnet stray field limitation while achieving sufficiently low maximum coil B field strengths and stress values to avoid quenches and maintain the structural integrity of the magnet.

Abstract: A shielded superconducting MRI magnet system uses a multi-layer shielded coil design. By splitting the magnet coils into a plurality of coil layers, an increased number of degrees of freedom is achieved which, in turn, permits minimization of the overall length of the magnet while nevertheless avoiding excessive magnet field and stress values in the coils. A compact coil system is thereby designed which also satisfies the plurality of MRI requirements with regard to sufficiently large investigational volume, magnet field strength, acceptable homogeneity, and magnet stray field limitation while achieving sufficiently low maximum coil B field strengths and stress values to avoid quenches and maintain the structural integrity of the magnet.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance systems are provided which employ a shielded, asymmetric magnet to produce an offset dsv. The magnets include at least a first coil C1, which carries current in a first direction, and two coils C2 and C3, which are located at least in part within the internal envelope EC1 defined by the first coil and which carry current in an opposite direction to the first coil. The magnets are shielded by a shielding coil C4, which carries current in a direction opposite to that of the first coil, and/or a ferromagnetic structure (FS). The magnets can include additional coils, such as a fifth coil C5 at the magnet's distal end. The magnets can be used in, for example, orthopedic imaging.