Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil sub-assembly comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conducting coil portion, a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion electrically connected with the first conductive coil portion so that the first and second conductive coil portions act together as one coil, and a B-stage material consolidation layer sandwiched between the first and second coil layers. A method including laminating a first punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion and a second punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion together by bonding the first and second punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portions on opposing sides of a B-stage material insulation layer, and electrically connecting the first punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion to the second punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion in parallel so that the first and second conductive saddle coil portions act together as one saddle coil.

Abstract: A cryocooler mounting arrangement and magnets and cryostats including such an arrangement. The arrangement is for mounting the coldhead 21 of a cryocooler 2 in a cryostat 1 for allowing the extraction of heat from the interior of the cryostat by the cryocooler. The mounting arrangement comprises a coldhead interface portion 22a, 22b for mounting on the coldhead 21 and a sock portion 3 for mounting in the cryostat 1 and arranged for receiving the coldhead 21. The sock portion 3 comprises a receiving interface portion 32a, 32b for receiving the coldhead interface portion so as to provide thermal contact therebetween and hence to provide thermal contact between the coldhead and the interior of the cryostat. The coldhead interface portion comprises plurality of flexible finger portions 23a, 23b and the receiving interface portion comprises a bearing surface 322a, 322b against which the finger portions are arranged to rest.

Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil sub-assembly comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conducting coil portion, a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion electrically connected with the first conductive coil portion so that the first and second conductive coil portions act together as one coil, and a B-stage material consolidation layer sandwiched between the first and second coil layers.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil assembly 2A comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conductive coil portion 3X and a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion 3Y. A first screening layer 6X is disposed between the first 3X and second 3Y coil layers and comprises at least one sheet of screening material. At least one insulating layer 4X comprising insulating material is provided between the first 3X conductive coil portion and the first screening layer 6X. Further the assembly comprises at least one discrete contact means 7 electrically connecting the first conductive coil portion 3X to the sheet of screening material 6X while the sheet of screening material 6X is kept from electrically contacting with the first conductive coil portion 3X, except via the at least one discrete contact means, by the at least one layer of insulating material 4X. The screening material might typically comprise a semi-conductive sheet.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A shim coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy (MRIS) is formed by cutting or punching in a sheet of electrically conductive material the required coil pattern. The pattern can be punched using a CNC punching or stamping machine.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A multi-orientation cryostat 5 for a superconducting magnet 4 for use in a plurality of orientations. The cryostat 5 comprises a vessel 6 for holding cryogenic liquid and, leading away from the vessel, a quench duct 7 for allowing escape from the vessel of gas generated by boiling of the cryogenic liquid due to quenching of the magnet. The quench duct 7 is sinuous so as to provide at least to differently orientated anti-convection portions 71, each portion for functioning as an anti-convection portion with the cryostat in a respective corresponding orientation.

Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil sub-assembly comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conducting coil portion, a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion electrically connected with the first conductive coil portion so that the first and second conductive coil portions act together as one coil, and a B-stage material consolidation layer sandwiched between the first and second coil layers.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil sub-assembly comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conducting coil portion, a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion electrically connected with the first conductive coil portion so that the first and second conductive coil portions act together as one winding, and a B-stage material consolidation layer sandwiched between the first and second coil layers.

Abstract: A multi-orientation cryostat 5 for a superconducting magnet 4 for use in a plurality of orientations. The cryostat 5 comprises a vessel 6 for holding cryogenic liquid and, leading away from the vessel, a quench duct 7 for allowing escape from the vessel of gas generated by boiling of the cryogenic liquid due to quenching of the magnet. The quench duct 7 is sinuous so as to provide at least to differently orientated anti-convection portions 71, each portion for functioning as an anti-convection portion with the cryostat in a respective corresponding orientation.

Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil assembly 2A comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conductive coil portion 3X and a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion 3Y. A first screening layer 6X is disposed between the first 3X and second 3Y coil layers and comprises at least one sheet of screening material. At least one insulating layer 4X comprising insulating material is provided between the first 3X conductive coil portion and the first screening layer 6X. Further the assembly comprises at least one discrete contact means 7 electrically connecting the first conductive coil portion 3X to the sheet of screening material 6X whilst the sheet of screening material 6X is kept from electrically contacting with the first conductive coil portion 3X, except via the at least one discrete contact means, by the at least one layer of insulating material 4X. The screening material might typically comprise a semi-conductive sheet.

Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil sub-assembly comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conducting coil portion, a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion electrically connected with the first conductive coil portion so that the first and second conductive coil portions act together as one winding, and a B-stage material consolidation layer sandwiched between the first and second coil layers.

Abstract: A shim coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy (MRIS) is formed by cutting or punching in a sheet of electrically conductive material the required coil pattern. The pattern can be punched using a CNC punching or stamping machine.

Abstract: A shim coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy (MRIS) is formed by cutting or punching in a sheet of electrically conductive material the required coil pattern. The pattern can be punched using a CNC punch or stamping machine.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use in MRIS includes a coil arrangement having drive coils (20), shield coils (30) and a power supply unit (PSU) (40). The drive coils (20) and the shield coils (30) are connected in series to the PSU (40) to form a circuit. The shield coils (30) are connected between a first and second length of the drive coils (20) so as to straddle a virtual earth of the circuit. This is advantageous in minimising potential differences within the shield coil (30) assembly and thereby in minimising partial discharge therewithin. Partial discharge between adjacent parts of the drive coils (20) is minimised by spatially arranging those coils (20) such that parts thereof that are at a high electrical potential are spatially adjacent parts thereof that are simultaneously at a potential of the same polarity of at a low electrical potential of either polarity.

Abstract: An electrical coil, particularly a shim coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy, is wound so that there are a plurality of layers with each layer having a plurality of turns. Insulating material is disposed between the turns of each layer. This reduces the capacitance between the turns and has the effect of increasing the self-resonant frequency of the coil. In another embodiment, the coil turn connections are effected so as to divide the overall coil into electrically separated portions and this also increases the self-resonant frequency of the coil.