Abstract: A method includes heating a MRI shim with a heater to reduce a temperature rise per unit of time during a gradient operation of a MRI system.

Abstract: A zero boiloff cryogen cooled recondensing superconducting magnet assembly including superconducting magnet coils suitable for magnetic resonance imaging including a cryogen pressure vessel to contain a liquid cryogen reservoir to provide cryogenic temperatures to the magnet coils for superconducting operation; a vacuum vessel surrounding the pressure vessel and spaced therefrom; a first thermal shield surrounding and spaced from the pressure vessel; a second thermal shield surrounding and spaced from the first thermal shield and intermediate the vacuum vessel and the first shield; a cryocooler thermally connected by a first and a second thermal interface to the first and second thermal shields, respectively; a recondenser positioned in the space between the pressure vessel and the first thermal shield and thermally connected by a thermal interface to the cryocooler to recondense, back to liquid, cryogen gas provided from the pressure vessel; and means for returning the recondensed liquid cryogen the pressure

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a variable cooling capacity cryocooler for a superconducting magnetic resonance imaging device having a liquid cryogen pressure vessel to provide cryogenic temperatures to a magnet assembly, a vacuum vessel surrounding the pressure vessel and a radiation shield spaced from the cryogen pressure vessel, and a pressure sensor positioned inside the cryogen pressure vessel pressure boundary for sensing pressure variations. A controller for varying the heat removal rate of the cryocooler based on the pressure variations in the cryogen pressure vessel and where the cooling capacity of the cryocooler is adjusted by modifying the speed of the electric power drive (DC or AC motors) or by changing the mechanical transmission ratio between the constant speed electric power drive and the cryocooler displacer/piston to adjust the cooler oscillating frequency of the gas flow.

Abstract: A thermal shield for a superconducting magnet includes a shield body having an annular shape. The shield body includes a material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 1000 W/m·K at about 70K.

Abstract: A zero boiloff cryogen cooled recondensing superconducting magnet assembly including superconducting magnet coils suitable for magnetic resonance imaging including a cryogen pressure vessel to contain a liquid cryogen reservoir to provide cryogenic temperatures to the magnet coils for superconducting operation; a vacuum vessel surrounding the pressure vessel and spaced therefrom; a first thermal shield surrounding and spaced from the pressure vessel; a second thermal shield surrounding and spaced from the first thermal shield and intermediate the vacuum vessel and the first shield; a cryocooler thermally connected by a first and a second thermal interface to the first and second thermal shields, respectively; a recondenser positioned in the space between the pressure vessel and the first thermal shield and thermally connected by a thermal interface to the cryocooler to recondense, back to liquid, cryogen gas provided from the pressure vessel; and means for returning the recondensed liquid cryogen the pressure

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging magnet assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a outer thermal shield having an operational temperature. The assembly further includes a cold sleeve assembly comprising a plurality of braid elements mounted to a cooler block and a highly thermally conductive block mounted between the cooler block and the outer thermal shield. The highly thermally conductive block is welded to the outer thermal shield and is welded to the cooler block. The highly thermally conductive block has greater thermal conductance than the outer thermal shield.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) magnet field instability simulator (80) is provided. The simulator includes a rigid body motion generator (82) that simulates motion of one or more MRI system components. An eddy current analyzer (84) generates a magnetic stiffness and damping signal and an electromagnetic transfer function in response to the motions and a cryostat material properties signal. A mechanical model generator (86) generates a mechanical disturbance signal and a mechanical model of one or more MRI system components in response to the motions and the magnetic stiffness and damping signal. A structural analyzer (88) generates a motion signal in response to the mechanical model. A field instability calculator (90) generates a field instability signal in response to the electromagnetic transfer function and the motion signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) magnet field instability simulator (80) is provided. The simulator includes a rigid body motion generator (82) that simulates motion of one or more MRI system components. An eddy current analyzer (84) generates a magnetic stiffness and damping signal and an electromagnetic transfer function in response to the motions and a cryostat material properties signal. A mechanical model generator (86) generates a mechanical disturbance signal and a mechanical model of one or more MRI system components in response to the motions and the magnetic stiffness and damping signal. A structural analyzer (88) generates a motion signal in response to the mechanical model. A field instability calculator (90) generates a field instability signal in response to the electromagnetic transfer function and the motion signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: An open magnet has vertically aligned first and second assemblies each with at least one superconductive main coil. At least one support member is vertically aligned and attached to, the first and second assemblies. At least one cryocooler coldhead is aligned generally horizontally and has a housing which is attached to, and receives weight-bearing support from, one of the first and second assemblies.