Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes a plurality of warm bore thermal sensors positioned on a surface of the warm bore and a plurality of heater elements positioned on the surface of the warm bore. A heater element thermal sensor is coupled to each of the plurality of heater elements and configured to monitor the temperature of the corresponding heater element. A controller is coupled to the plurality of warm bore thermal sensors and the plurality of heater element thermal sensors. The controller is configured to control each of the plurality of heater elements to maintain a predetermined temperature of the warm bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cooling tube that is mounted on a surface of the warm bore and is configured to transport a coolant. A chiller is coupled to the cooling tube and is configured to provide the coolant to the cooling tube. A controller is coupled to the chiller and is configured to provide a control signal to the chiller to control a temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: A method for compensating for drift in a main magnetic field of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes measuring a pressure in a cryostat of the superconducting magnet. Based on the pressure, a parameter of an element of the MRI system is adjusted to correct or compensate for a change in the main magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cooling tube that is mounted on a surface of the warm bore and is configured to transport a coolant. A chiller is coupled to the cooling tube and is configured to provide the coolant to the cooling tube. A controller is coupled to the chiller and is configured to provide a control signal to the chiller to control a temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a warm bore of a superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes a plurality of warm bore thermal sensors positioned on a surface of the warm bore and a plurality of heater elements positioned on the surface of the warm bore. A heater element thermal sensor is coupled to each of the plurality of heater elements and configured to monitor the temperature of the corresponding heater element. A controller is coupled to the plurality of warm bore thermal sensors and the plurality of heater element thermal sensors. The controller is configured to control each of the plurality of heater elements to maintain a predetermined temperature of the warm bore.

Abstract: A gradient coil or other element of a magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one layer comprised of copper having a first surface and a second surface. A first semiconductor layer is applied to the first surface of the copper and an insulation layer applied to the first semiconductor layer. In one embodiment, a second semiconductor layer is applied to the second surface of the copper. The first and second semiconductor layers encapsulate any voids formed between the copper and the semiconductor layers, equalize the potential around the voids and prevent partial discharge formation.

Abstract: A gradient coil or other element of a magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one layer comprised of copper having a first surface and a second surface. A first semiconductor layer is applied to the first surface of the copper and an insulation layer applied to the first semiconductor layer. In one embodiment, a second semiconductor layer is applied to the second surface of the copper. The first and second semiconductor layers encapsulate any voids formed between the copper and the semiconductor layers, equalize the potential around the voids and prevent partial discharge formation.

Abstract: A phase array coil uses asymmetric loops and selective overlapping to provide a more uniform field sensitivity to magnetic flux passing through the surface defined by multiple such phased array loops.