Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for container lids, suitable for use in reliable automated handling and transport of lamella carriers used for transmission electron microscopy samples, or similar light or thin objects. A lid is for use with a container having one or more cavities that can be accessible through a top surface of a container. The lid can comprise a rigid member having a planar surface. Affixed to the rigid member are a first means for constraining motion of the planar surface to one-degree of freedom movement over the top surface, and a second means for restricting motion, within the cavity, of a lamella carrier contained within the cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device (21), comprising a diagnostic space (25), a main magnetic system (22) for generating a main magnetic field in said diagnostic space, a gradient magnetic coil system (23) comprising a gradient coil for generating at least one gradient of the main magnetic field, and noise reducing means (29, 32) for reducing noise that is generated as a result of vibrations of the gradient coil. The noise reducing means comprise a sound-absorbing panel (29) disposed between the gradient coil and the diagnostic space. The sound-absorbing panel (29) comprises channels having an open end and a closed end.

Abstract: A panel-acoustic transducer comprises a plate-like actuator (4) and a panel (5). The panel (5) has two substantially perpendicular axes of symmetry (AS,Al). The plate-like actuator (4) is coupled to the panel in such a way that: —the actuator (4) is coupled to the panel substantially symmetrically with respect to both symmetry axes (AS,Al) of the panel (4); the plate-like actuator (4) is so arranged that, in operation, at least the first five odd excitation modes ((1,1), (3,1), (1,3), (3,3), (5,1)), in order of increasing frequency, are actuated with alternating signs. Cusps in the power spectrum of the transducer are thereby prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The basic components of an MRI device are the main magnet system (2), the gradient system (3), the RF system and the signal processing system. According to the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device has an eddy current shield system, wherein the eddy current shield system comprises at least one perforated eddy current screen (13, 14), and wherein the or each perforated eddy current screen (13, 14) is assigned to the main magnet system (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (1) comprising an examination volume (11), a main magnet system (17) for generating a magnetic field (B0) in the examination volume, and a gradient magnet system (25) for generating altering gradients of the magnetic field in the examination volume. The gradient magnet system is accommodated in a housing (31) having a main wall (33) facing the examination volume and a substantially conical wall (35) facing away from the examination volume. The main wall and the conical wall enclose a substantially angular tip portion (47) of the housing. In order to limit the level of the acoustic vibrations in and around the MRI system (1) caused by mechanical vibrations of the angular tip portion (47), the MRI system comprises a plurality of acoustic resonators (55) which each comprise an elongate resonance volume (57) with an open end (59) and a closed end (61) and a length (L) between the open end and the closed end.