Abstract: An apparatus is provided for constructing a segmented annular permanent magnet from a predetermined number of previously magnetized segments of predetermined shape and size comprising a rotateable carrousel, at least two of a plurality of removable ferromagnetic segments, an introducing means and a removing means.

Abstract: A surgical head support to be used for positioning and holding a patient's head during a surgical procedure in the head area. The head support includes an arcuate support having two arcuate arms, each of the arcuate arms having a free end and provided with head engaging elements for gripping the patient's head. The head support further includes a base member provided with concave semispherical recess matching a central portion of the arcuate support. The base member includes two bases adapted to slide one on top of the other perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the arcuate support.

Abstract: A transportable magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, said apparatus comprising a transportable platform, provided with a casing made of ferromagnetic metal, and a magnetic resonance imaging system mounted onto said transportable platform, said magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a front end and a back end, the front end comprising a magnetic structure for the provision of a magnetic field, at least two gradient coils, RF transmit coil, and RF receive coil, and the back end comprising a host computer as a central processing unit, at least two gradient amplifiers, RF amplifier, MRI spectrometer, MRI controller and display unit, wherein said apparatus is provided with a positioning assembly for moving and positioning said magnetic structure between a first position and a second position, said first position being such that a patient's body part is positioned between said magnetic field, and said second position being such that said pair of magnets is positioned inside said casing, when not in use,

Abstract: A system for performing magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance therapy and a method for operating the system. The system may include one or several magnetic probes and a single common controller connectable to the probes for calibrating and operating any selected one of the probes. The controller is particularly adapted for being used with probes optimized for performing magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance therapy of a single specific body organ or with probes adapted for imaging of various different body organs, but can also be used with probes optimized for whole body imaging. Each of the probes is pre-calibrated and associated with a pre-calibration parameter set included in a probe-specific software program provided with each probe. The controller is used for selecting one of the probes, automatically calibrating the selected probe and operating the selected probe by using the pre-calibration parameter set and the specific software program of the selected probe.

Abstract: Permanent magnet assemblies and hybrid magnetic apparatus are disclosed for use in medical applications, particularly permanent magnet assemblies for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT) to produce a volume of substantially uniform magnetic field in a restricted part of the patient's body in a region either adjacent to the surface of one permanent magnet assembly or between a set of a first and second permanent magnet assemblies, leaving open access to the patient's body. The assemblies consist of a plurality of annular concentric magnets spaced-apart along their axis of symmetry. A method for constructing such annular permanent magnetic assemblies is disclosed, using equi-angular segments permanently magnetized.

Abstract: Permanent magnet assemblies are disclosed for use in medical applications, particularly permanent magnet assemblies for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT) to produce a volume of substantially uniform magnetic field in a restricted part of the patient's body in a region either adjacent to the surface of one permanent magnet assembly or between a set of a first and second permanent magnet assemblies, leaving open access to the patient's body. The assemblies consist of a plurality of annular concentric magnets spaced-apart along their axis of symmetry. A method for constructing such annular permanent magnetic assemblies is disclosed, using equi-angular segments permanently magnetized.

Abstract: Yoked permanent magnets are disclosed for use in medical applications, particularly permanent magnets for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance therapy (MRT), and interventional magnetic resonance imaging (IMRI) to produce a volume of substantially uniform magnetic field in a part or organ of a patient's body disposed in an open region between a set of a first and second opposing permanent magnet assemblies, leaving open access to a part or organ of a patient's body. Each of the assemblies consists of a plurality of coaxial concentric permanent magnets. The magnets within each of the assemblies may be spaced-apart along their common axis of symmetry and may be tilted with respect to the common axis of symmetry. The magnets include an open yoke made from a ferromagnetic material for increasing the magnetic field strength within the imaging volume by providing a path for closing magnetic flux lines of the opposing permanent magnet assemblies.

Abstract: An open yoked magnetic apparatus for producing a substantially homogenous magnetic field. The apparatus includes an open ferromagnetic yoke, and two complementary permanent magnetic assemblies attached to opposing sides of the yoke. Each magnet assembly includes a ferromagnetic pole-piece and a first magnetic structure disposed between the pole-piece and the yoke, at least one annular ferromagnetic collimator concentric with said pole-piece and radially separated therefrom by a gap, and at least a second magnetic structure radially separated from the first magnetic structure by a gap and disposed between the at least one collimator and the yoke. The magnetic structures may be solid structures made from magnetic material or may be segmented or may include a plurality of magnetic blocks. A method for designing such an open yoked magnetic apparatus with improved properties is also disclosed.