Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system includes a chamber defined by an outer wall and an inner wall, the chamber housing at least one component to be cooled; a wicking structure in thermal contact with one of the outer wall and the inner wall of the chamber; and a delivery system in a spaced apart relationship with the chamber and fluidly connected to the wicking structure for transporting a working fluid to and from the wicking structure. Also provided is a magnetic resonance imaging system including the cryogenic cooling system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-sealing a coldhead sleeve of a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. One coldhead sleeve arrangement includes a coldhead sleeve configured to receive therein a coldhead of an MRI system and having an open end. The coldhead sleeve arrangement also includes a sealing member coupled at the open end of the coldhead sleeve and configured in a normally closed position covering the open end.

Abstract: A magnetizing coil unit and a method of making a magnetizing coil unit is provided. The coil includes a solenoid coil having a coiled copper sheet in which the width of the copper sheet is equal to the height of the solenoid coil. A magnetizing assembly includes a plurality of magnetizing coil units.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system includes a chamber defined by an outer wall and an inner wall, the chamber housing at least one component to be cooled; a wicking structure in thermal contact with one of the outer wall and the inner wall of the chamber; and a delivery system in a spaced apart relationship with the chamber and fluidly connected to the wicking structure for transporting a working fluid to and from the wicking structure. Also provided is a magnetic resonance imaging system including the cryogenic cooling system.

Abstract: A penetration assembly for a cryostat is presented. The penetration assembly includes an outer wall member having a first end and a second end and configured to alter an effective thermal length of the wall member, wherein a first end of the tube is communicatively coupled to a high temperature region and the second end of the tube is communicatively coupled to a cryogen disposed within a cryogen vessel of the cryostat. In addition, the penetration tube assembly includes a telescoping inner wall member comprising a plurality of tubes nested within one another, and wherein each tube in the plurality of tubes is operatively coupled to at least one other tube in series.

Abstract: A penetration assembly for a cryostat is presented. The penetration assembly includes a wall member having a first end and a second end and configured to alter an effective thermal length of the wall member, where a first end of the wall member is communicatively coupled to a high temperature region and the second end of the wall member is communicatively coupled to a cryogen disposed within a cryogen vessel of the cryostat.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-sealing a coldhead sleeve of a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. One coldhead sleeve arrangement includes a coldhead sleeve configured to receive therein a coldhead of an MRI system and having an open end. The coldhead sleeve arrangement also includes a sealing member coupled at the open end of the coldhead sleeve and configured in a normally closed position covering the open end.

Abstract: A transverse gradient coil for an MRI system is provided. The transverse gradient coil comprises a first coil layer; and an insulation layer made of thermoplastic insulation resin which has a thermal conductivity greater than 1.5 W/m·K, the insulation layer having one side bonded to the first coil layer. A method for manufacturing the transverse gradient coil by injection molding or compression molding is also provided.

Abstract: A transverse gradient coil for an MRI system is provided. The transverse gradient coil comprises a first coil layer; and an insulation layer made of thermoplastic insulation resin which has a thermal conductivity greater than 1.5 W/m·K, the insulation layer having one side bonded to the first coil layer. A method for manufacturing the transverse gradient coil by injection molding or compression molding is also provided.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system includes a vacuum vessel including an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder and a pair of tapered flanges connecting the inner and outer cylinders. The inner cylinder is made of a composite material. The outer cylinder and flanges are composed of several magnetic segments that provide a magnetic flux return path with low eddy currents. The segments are bonded together and electrically insulated from each other. A container, a thermal shield and a superconducting magnet coil assembly are disposed within the vacuum vessel. The superconducting magnet coil assembly includes a non-conductive cylindrical structure and superconducting coils. A thermally conductive cable is wrapped around the cylindrical structure and coils to form a thermally conductive envelope.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for an imaging apparatus having a permanent magnet body having a first surface and a stepped second surface which is adapted to face an imaging volume of the imaging apparatus, wherein the stepped second surface contains at least four steps.

Abstract: A method of making a permanent magnet body is provided. The method includes providing a first precursor body comprising a plurality of blocks and magnetizing the first precursor body to form a first permanent magnet body. A recoil magnetization pulse may be applied to the permanent magnet body after the magnetization. The precursor body may be heated during magnetization. A power supply containing a battery may be used to energize a pulsed magnet used to magnetize the precursor body.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system having a vacuum vessel positioned about an imaging volume, one or more high temperature superconducting coils positioned within the vacuum vessel, and a cryocooler coupled to the vacuum vessel to operate the superconducting coil at a temperature above 10 K. At least one gradient coil is positioned between an imaging volume and the superconducting coil without any thermal shielding interposed between the gradient coil and the superconducting coil. A method of forming an MRI system includes forming at least one winding of the main field generating coils with high temperature superconducting material, positioning the winding in a vessel for receiving cryogenic fluid, and positioning a gradient coil between the imaging volume and the winding without placing a thermal radiation shield between the gradient coil and the winding.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for making a wire comprising contacting a first end of a first superconducting wire with a second end of a second superconducting wire, wherein the superconducting wire comprises a superconducting filament having a superconducting composition comprising magnesium diboride; heating the first end of the first superconducting wire with the second end of the second superconducting wire at a point to form a joint, wherein the superconducting filament having the superconducting composition is in continuous electrical contact with any other part of the superconducting filament after the formation of the joint.

Abstract: A magnetizing coil unit and a method of making a magnetizing coil unit is provided. The coil includes a solenoid coil having a coiled copper sheet in which the width of the copper sheet is equal to the height of the solenoid coil. A magnetizing assembly includes a plurality of magnetizing coil units.

Abstract: A cryogenically cooled radiofrequency (RF) coil structure for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and method for cryogenically cooling RF coils are provided. The cryogenically cooled RF coil structure comprises a sealed structure constructed of non-conducting material and adapted for containing a cooling substance and at least one RF coil disposed integrally in contact with the sealed structure such that sealed structure and integrally disposed RF coil are disposed about an object to be imaged.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly comprising a fixed permanent magnet body and a movable permanent magnet body which is movable relative to the fixed permanent magnet body.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, such as an MRI system, contains at least one layer of soft magnetic material between the yoke and each permanent magnet. This imaging apparatus may be operated without pole pieces due to the presence of the soft magnetic material. The permanent magnets may be fabricated by magnetizing unmagnetized alloy bodies after the unmagnetized alloy bodies have been attached to the yoke.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, such as an MRI system, contains at least one layer of soft magnetic material between the yoke and each permanent magnet. This imaging apparatus may be operated without pole pieces due to the presence of the soft magnetic material. The permanent magnets may be fabricated by magnetizing unmagnetized alloy bodies after the unmagnetized alloy bodies have been attached to the yoke.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one aspect, the present technique provides a method for heating a permanent magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The method for heating a permanent magnet includes directly heating a surface of the permanent magnet using a surface heater. The present technique also provides a system for heating a permanent magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The system includes a surface heater configured to directly heat a surface of the permanent magnet.