Abstract: A device for treating living tissue with a magnetic field. The device includes one or more coil applicators; and a generator configured to drive a stimulation coil that is housed within the coil applicator that faces a tissue being treated. The device provides a magnetic field in a range of 0.1 T to 3 T at a distance of 1 cm or less from the face of the coil applicator.

Abstract: A device for treating living tissue with a magnetic field. The device includes one or more coil applicators; and a generator configured to drive a stimulation coil that is housed within the coil applicator that faces a tissue being treated. The device provides a magnetic field in a range of 0.1 T to 3 T at a distance of 1 cm or less from the face of the coil applicator.

Abstract: A device for treating living tissue with a magnetic field. The device includes one or more coil applicators; and a generator configured to drive a stimulation coil that is housed within the coil applicator that faces a tissue being treated. The device provides a magnetic field in a range of 0.1T to 3T at a distance of 1 cm or less from the face of the coil applicator.

Abstract: A ternary coil assembly (TCA) is provided, which may include an anterior coil, a posterior coil adjacently mounted side by side with respect to, and electrically isolated from and forming a plane with, the anterior coil, and an ancillary coil encircling, and electrically isolated from, the anterior and posterior coils. A magnetic field maneuvering system may include a number N of TCAs that may be positioned circularly. The circularly positioned TCAs, by manipulating their electrical current, may be operated to generate a magnetic field maneuvering pattern (MMP) such that a magnetic field may be generated in a first direction to orient a device in that direction, and a magnetic field gradient in a second direction to apply a movement force in the second direction. The direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field gradient may differ, that is, they may be controlled independently.

Abstract: The present invention discloses to a magnetic resonance device consisting of magnets housed within a cage, a thermal regulating system (TRS) adapted to thermoregulate the magnets to room temperature T±?T. TRS comprising a (i) preset array of one or more opened-bore channels provided within the cage and/or within the magnets; and, (ii) means for forcing fluid throughout the array of opened-bore channels, such that temperature T of the magnets is regulated to a preset range of ?T.

Abstract: The present invention discloses to a magnetic resonance device consisting of magnets housed within a cage, a thermal regulating system (TRS) adapted to thermoregulate the magnets to room temperature T±?T. TRS comprising a (i) preset array of one or more opened-bore channels provided within the cage and/or within the magnets; and, (ii) means for forcing fluid throughout the array of opened-bore channels, such that temperature T of the magnets is regulated to a preset range of ?T.

Abstract: An open yoke MRI apparatus has a set of permanent magnets arranged at the inner surfaces of the yoke and spaced apart from one another. A set of annular permanent magnets is included in each magnet arrangement, including a set with trapezoidal cross-sections to provide a more uniform field and to allow greater access to a patient placed within the magnetic field.

Abstract: An open yoke MRI apparatus has a set of permanent magnets arranged at the inner surfaces of the yoke and spaced apart from one another. A set of annular permanent magnets is included in each magnet arrangement, including a set with trapezoidal cross-sections to provide a more uniform field and to allow greater access to a patient placed within the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of correcting active shimming element of a magnetic resonance device, including providing a set of correction values for each shimming element for a given N sub volumes, wherein N is an integer number greater than or equal to 1, detecting irregularities in the magnetic field of the sample regions, optimizing all the shimming elements according to the set of correction values, assessing the regularity of the corrected magnetic field, and reiterating the process until field uniformity is achieved, such that an accurate magnetic resonance measurement of the sample is achieved after a minimum number of iterations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel active insulation device and method for thermally shielding an external body from temperature fluctuations of a contained body. The method comprising providing an active thermal insulation envelope between the contained body and the external body; regulating the heat transfer from the active thermal insulation envelope to the external body; and regulating the heat transfer from the contained body to the active thermal insulation envelope, thus maintaining the temperature of the external body at a constant temperature or within a narrow temperature range.

Abstract: A method of correcting active shimming element of a magnetic resonance device, including providing a set of correction values for each shimming element for a given N sub volumes, wherein N is an integer number greater than or equal to 1, detecting irregularities in the magnetic field of the sample regions, optimizing all the shimming elements according to the set of correction values, assessing the regularity of the corrected magnetic field, and reiterating the process until field uniformity is achieved, such that an accurate magnetic resonance measurement of the sample is achieved after a minimum number of iterations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel active insulation device and method for thermally shielding an external body from temperature fluctuations of a contained body. The method comprising providing an active thermal insulation envelope between the contained body and the external body; regulating the heat transfer from the active thermal insulation envelope to the external body; and regulating the heat transfer from the contained body to the active thermal insulation envelope, thus maintaining the temperature of the external body at a constant temperature or within a narrow temperature range.

Abstract: A dual pointing device to be used in cooperation with an imaging apparatus, a tracking system, and an object to be imaged. The dual pointing device provides a means for tracking a point on in image in both the image's frame of reference and Euclidean absolute coordinates. This is accomplished by having two tracking systems follow the dual pointing device. Since the two tracking systems follow the same physical device, and since one tracking system operates in the image coordinates while the other tracking system operates in the absolute coordinates, the device makes it possible to effect automatic transformations between the two systems. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the dual pointing device, which is intended for use with a magnetic resonance imager, the absolute tracking system is based on infra-red reflectors on the device that are tracked by an infrared transponder.

Abstract: Magnetic apparatus for MRI/MRT probes and methods for construction thereof are disclosed. One embodiment includes a pair of opposed magnet assemblies defining an open region therebetween, a transmitting RF coil having at least a portion thereof disposed within the open region, at least one receiving RF coil disposed within the open region and X, Y and Z gradient coils. At least one of the X, Y and Z gradient coils is disposed outside of the open region. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a single magnet assembly having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, a transmitting RF coil having at least a portion thereof opposing the first surface, at least one receiving RF coil and X, Y and Z gradient coils. At least one of the X, Y and Z gradient coils opposes the second surface. In another embodiment the magnet assembly generates a permanent z-gradient magnetic field and therefore includes only X and Y gradient coils, at least one of which opposes the second surface.

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: A dual pointing device to be used in cooperation with an imaging apparatus, a tracking system, and an object to be imaged. The dual pointing device provides a means for tracking a point on in image in both the image's frame of reference and Euclidean absolute coordinates. This is accomplished by having two tracking systems follow the dual pointing device. Since the two tracking systems follow the same physical device, and since one tracking system operates in the image coordinates while the other tracking system operates in the absolute coordinates, the device makes it possible to effect automatic transformations between the two systems. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the dual pointing device, which is intended for use with a magnetic resonance imager, the absolute tracking system is based on infra-red reflectors on the device that are tracked by an infrared transponder. The image-relative tracking system is based on magnetic resonance responsive samples that are detected by the imager.

Abstract: A positioning system for determining the relation between a coordinate set of a scanning apparatus such as an MRI and a coordinate set of a tracking system so as to allow determining the position of a selected target on an image of a patient acquired by the scanning apparatus in the coordinate set of the tracking apparatus and vice versa. The system comprises reference points positioned in predetermined location relative to the coordinate set of the scanning apparatus; tracking system adapted to detect and determine the position of the reference points, relative to the coordinate set of the tracking system; processing device adapted to communicate with the tracking system and adapted to determine the relation between the coordinate set of the scanning apparatus and the coordinate set of the tracking system, translating the coordinates of the target on the image acquired by the scanning apparatus to corresponding coordinates on the coordinate set of the tracking system.

Abstract: Adjustable hybrid magnetic apparatus for use in medical and other applications includes an electromagnet flux generator for generating a first magnetic field in an imaging volume, and permanent magnet assemblies for generating a second magnetic field superimposed on the first magnetic field for providing a substantially homogenous magnetic field having improved magnitude within the imaging volume. The permanent magnet assemblies may include a plurality of annular or disc like concentric magnets spaced-apart along their axis of symmetry. The electromagnet flux generator may include two electromagnet assemblies. The electromagnet assemblies and the permanent magnet assemblies may be static assemblies or may be movable and/or tiltable and/or movable and tiltable, for fine tuning of the magnetic field within the imaging volume. The hybrid magnetic apparatus may include a high magnetic permeability yoke for increasing the intensity of the magnetic field in the imaging volume of the hybrid magnetic apparatus.

Abstract: Magnetic apparatus for MRI/MRT probes and methods for construction thereof are disclosed. One embodiment includes a pair of opposed magnet assemblies defining an open region therebetween, a transmitting RF coil having at least a portion thereof disposed within the open region, at least one receiving RF coil disposed within the open region and X, Y and Z gradient coils. At least one of the X, Y and Z gradient coils is disposed outside of the open region. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a single magnet assembly having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, a transmitting RF coil having at least a portion thereof opposing the first surface, at least one receiving RF coil and X, Y and Z gradient coils. At least one of the X, Y and Z gradient coils opposes the second surface. In another embodiment the magnet assembly generates a permanent z-gradient magnetic field and therefore includes only X and Y gradient coils, at least one of which opposes the second surface.

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,