Abstract: A system for energizing a main coil of superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cryostat comprising a housing. A first coil is positioned within the housing of the cryostat. Alternatively, the first coil may be positioned external to the housing of the cryostat. A second coil is coupled to the first coil and positioned external to the housing of the cryostat. The second coil is configured to inductively couple to the main coil. A controller is coupled to the first coil and the second coil and is configured to control the first coil and the second coil to induce current in the main coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods from removing heat generated by a heat sink of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. One system includes a coldhead sleeve cooling arrangement for a coldhead of the MRI system. The coldhead sleeve cooling arrangement includes a coldhead sleeve configured to receive therein a coldhead of an MRI system and a cooling system surrounding an outer surface of the coldhead sleeve. The cooling system uses helium gas to remove heat from the coldhead sleeve.

Abstract: A gradient coil apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an inner gradient coil assembly comprising at least one inner gradient coil and an outer gradient coil assembly comprising at least one outer gradient coil. At least one gradient coil interconnect is coupled to the inner gradient coil and the outer gradient coil. The gradient coil interconnect includes a wire assembly comprising a plurality of conductors. The wire assembly has a first end electrically coupled to the outer gradient coil assembly and a second end electrically coupled to the inner gradient coil. The gradient coil interconnect also includes a reinforcement material disposed around a portion of the wire assembly.

Abstract: A thermal shield and method for thermally cooling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. One thermal shield includes a cooling tube forming a frame. The cooling tube is configured to receive therethrough cryogen fluid from a cryogen vessel of an MRI system. The thermal shield further includes at least one thermal control layer surrounding the frame and together with the frame is configured to provide thermal shielding of the MRI system.

Abstract: A gradient coil apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an inner gradient coil assembly and an outer gradient coil assembly disposed around the inner gradient coil assembly. The outer gradient coil assembly has an outer surface, a first end and a second end. The gradient coil apparatus also includes a force balancing apparatus disposed around the outer surface of the outer gradient coil assembly. In one embodiment, the force balancing apparatus includes an active force balancing coil disposed around the outer surface of the outer gradient coil assembly. In another embodiment, the force balancing apparatus includes a first passive conducting strip disposed around the first end of the outer gradient coil assembly and a second passive conducting strip disposed around the second end of the outer gradient coil assembly.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the magnet apparatus includes a cylindrical vacuum vessel, a closed loop cooling system disposed within the vacuum vessel and a cylindrical thermal shield disposed between the vacuum vessel and the closed loop cooling system. A set of passive compensation coils are disposed within the vacuum vessel and used to compensate for magnetic field distortion caused by mechanical vibrations within the magnet apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting cables within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. One apparatus includes a cable assembly having a rigid support structure defining a channel with a cross-section and an electrical cable having a cross-section smaller than the cross-section of the channel. The electrical cable is secured within the channel of the rigid support structure, with the rigid support structure configured for coupling to a stationary component of the MRI system to resist movement from a movable component to which the electrical cable is connected.

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 superconducting magnet coil support with cooling and a method for coil cooling are provided. One superconducting coil support arrangement includes a superconducting coil and at least one support beam supporting the superconducting coil and defining a tank for storing a cooling fluid therein. The superconducting coil support arrangement further includes a plurality of cooling tubes coupled to the superconducting coil and connected to the at least one support beam, wherein the plurality of cooling tubes are configured to transfer the cooling fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system with a thermal reservoir and method for cooling are provided. A cooling vessel for a magnet system of the MRI system includes a first portion containing a helium cryogen in contact with a plurality of magnet coils of an MRI system. The cooling vessel also includes a second portion separate from and fluidly decoupled from the first portion, with the second portion containing a material different than the helium cryogen and having a volume greater than the first portion.

Abstract: An end flange for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method for manufacturing an end flange are provided. One end flange is for a vacuum vessel of the MRI system. The vacuum vessel includes a housing configured to receive therein a magnet assembly and an end flange forming an end of the housing. The flange includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a core coupled between the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the core has a greater stiffness than the outer surface and the inner surface.

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 suspension system for a cryostat includes a coupling mechanism, a fixation body, and a pin. The coupling mechanism is joined to an outer vessel and coupled with a strap. The fixation body is joined to an inner vessel. The fixation body extends between a front side that faces the coupling mechanism and an opposite receiving side with an interior channel extending from the receiving side to the front side. The channel defines a front opening in the front side and a rear opening in the receiving side. The pin is loaded into the fixation body through the rear opening in the receiving side of the fixation body with the strap looped around the pin and extending through the front opening to the coupling mechanism. The pin secures the coupling mechanism to the fixation body via the strap by engaging the fixation body inside the channel.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus and method is disclosed comprising a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The RF coil assembly comprises an RF tube, a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed around the RF tube and configured to transmit RF excitation pulses, a plurality of electrical components coupled to the electrically conductive members, and at least one thermally conductive substrate mounted upon the RF tube, wherein one of the plurality of electrically conductive members and the plurality of electrical components is mounted to the at least one thermally conductive substrate and is in thermal contact therewith.

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 cooling system and method for cooling superconducting magnet coils are provided. One magnet system for a superconducting magnet device includes a cooling system having at least one coil support shell, a plurality of superconducting magnet coils supported by the at least one coil support shell and a plurality of cooling tubes thermally coupled to the at least one coil support shell. The magnet system also includes a cryorefrigerator system fluidly coupled with the plurality of cooling tubes forming a closed circulation cooling system.

Abstract: An end flange for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method for manufacturing an end flange are provided. One end flange is for a vacuum vessel of the MRI system. The vacuum vessel includes a housing configured to receive therein a magnet assembly and an end flange forming an end of the housing. The flange includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a core coupled between the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the core has a greater stiffness than the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling gradient coil operation induced magnetic field drift include a computer programmed to acquire a pulse sequence to be applied during an MR scan and determine a power spectrum of a plurality of gradient pulses of the pulse sequence. The computer is also programmed to calculate a drift of the magnetic field attributable to application of the plurality of gradient pulses by the plurality of gradient coils during application of the pulse sequence and apply the pulse sequence during the MR scan. The computer is further programmed to acquire MR data based on application of the pulse sequence, correct the acquired MR data based on the calculated drift of the magnetic field, and reconstruct an image based on the corrected MR data.

Abstract: A gradient coil apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an inner gradient coil assembly and an outer gradient coil assembly disposed around the inner gradient coil assembly. The outer gradient coil assembly has an outer surface, a first end and a second end. The gradient coil apparatus also includes a force balancing apparatus disposed around the outer surface of the outer gradient coil assembly. In one embodiment, the force balancing apparatus includes an active force balancing coil disposed around the outer surface of the outer gradient coil assembly. In another embodiment, the force balancing apparatus includes a first passive conducting strip disposed around the first end of the outer gradient coil assembly and a second passive conducting strip disposed around the second end of the outer gradient coil assembly.

Abstract: A coil support arrangement for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging System and method of support are provided. One coil support arrangement includes a main former body having a plurality of channels between end flanges and a splint coupled to the main former body between the end flanges. The coil support arrangement also includes a load spreader coupled to the main former body adjacent one or more of the ends of the splint, and having a gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.