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: A magnetic enclosure providing a uniform magnetic field in a test chamber and comprising substantially identical first north magnetic structure and second south magnetic structures that are disposed in geometric mirroring symmetry opposite to each other and separated by an air gap forming the test chamber. Each magnetic structure includes a cap-like permanent magnet assembly covering a convex ferromagnetic pole piece, a ferromagnetic cap-like shield covering the magnet assembly, and a ferromagnetic ring. The ring is in contact with and intermediate the shield of the first and of the second magnetic structure, and has at least one aperture allowing access to the test chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic enclosure providing a uniform magnetic field in a test chamber and comprising substantially identical first north magnetic structure and second south magnetic structures that are disposed in geometric mirroring symmetry opposite to each other and separated by an air gap forming the test chamber. Each magnetic structure includes a cap-like permanent magnet assembly covering a convex ferromagnetic pole piece, a ferromagnetic cap-like shield covering the magnet assembly, and a ferromagnetic ring. The ring is in contact with and intermediate the shield of the first and of the second magnetic structure, and has at least one aperture allowing access to the test chamber.

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: 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 method is provided for removing discontinuities between the data of a first and second data set acquired in a k-space for a same MRI image of a subject, where the data for each of the data sets is acquired at k-coordinate points in adjacent regions of the k-space, using different MRI imaging techniques or operating conditions.

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 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: A magnetic resonance imaging system that:applies gradient pulses in a sequence that elicits large amounts of data early in a scan to provide an evolving image; and reduces the Gibbs artifacts to increase the utility of the evolving images.

Abstract: A method and system for using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to acquire separate data contributions from first and second spectral components by causing a 90 degree phase difference between the data of said components in a first of at least two echoes and using the two echoes to determine the approximate .DELTA..phi. delay due to inhomogeneity, determining linear phase delay .beta. and using .DELTA..phi. and .beta. in the calculation of the separated data contributions of each of the spectral components.

Abstract: A continuous phase magnetic field map is provided by dividing the field map of elements into regions; determining discontinuities in the regions and adding a constant modulo 2.pi. to the phase values of each element of the region which results in a minimum difference between adjacent elements of the region. Then similarly joining the continuous regions to form continuous sections and the continuous sections to form continuous zones until substantially continuous phase magnetic field maps are obtained.