Abstract: A passive magnetic field shielding system for shielding a fringe magnetic field is described. The passive magnetic field shielding system includes a magnet configured to generate a uniform magnetic field, an imaging system with associated electronics coupled to the magnet, and a passive shield configured to reduce the strength of the fringing magnetic field to approximately five Gauss at a distance from the passive shield.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes one or more magnetic shield coils positioned asymmetrically in the casing and also positioned in close proximity to one of two apertures of an inner bore of the MRI system. In those embodiments, the position of the one or more magnetic shield coils provides an asymmetric magnetic stray field during operation of the MRI system, which in turn allows operation of electronic medical diagnostic equipment or electronic medical monitoring equipment in close proximity to the MRI.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil support structure (20) includes a solid body (21) having an exterior side (24), an interior portion (26), and an interior side (28). The interior portion has a base (36) that is formed of a first resin material. The exterior side (24) has multiple spacers (32) and multiple pockets (34) with dimensions that correspond to dimensions of a superconducting magnet (14). The spacers (32) are coupled to the base (36) and are formed of a second resin material. The exterior side (24), the interior portion (26), and the interior side (28) include varying width material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the level of a liquid cryogen. The invention provides for use of a current source (52), a length, or multiple lengths, of superconducting filament (40) situated within a cryostat (1) containing a cryogenic fluid (2) and a voltmeter (51) for measuring the voltage drop across the filament (40). The invention further provides a method for using said apparatus.

Abstract: A method for winding on embedded b-zero coil maintains the integrity of superconducting main coil and the b-zero wire during coil winding and during normal operation of a superconducting MRI magnet. The b-zero coil is co-wound with an aluminum overwrap while the aluminum overwrap is being wound onto the superconducting MRI coil. The two-wire geometries are selected such that the height or thickness of the aluminum overwrap is greater than or equal to the height or thickness of the b-zero coil wire. The b-zero coil wire sits in a cavity that is created by adjacent turns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the level of a liquid cryogen. The invention provides for use of a current source (52), a length, or multiple lengths, of superconducting filament (40) situated within a cryostat (1) containing a cryogenic fluid (2) and a voltmeter (51) for measuring the voltage drop across the filament (40). The invention further provides a method for using said apparatus.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil support structure (20) includes a solid body (21) having an exterior side (24), an interior portion (26), and an interior side (28). The interior portion has a base (36) that is formed of a first resin material. The exterior side (24) has multiple spacers (32) and multiple pockets (34) with dimensions that correspond to dimensions of a superconducting magnet (14). The spacers (32) are coupled to the base (36) and are formed of a second resin material. The exterior side (24), the interior portion (26), and the interior side (28) include varying width material.

Abstract: A superconducting magnetic resonance imaging magnet assembly is provided. The assembly includes an axial imaging bore to receive patients and a coil housing surrounding the axial bore. A main magnet coil assembly is disposed within the housing. The main magnet coil assembly includes a plurality of main magnet coils to produce a magnetic field. At least three pairs of superconductive coils are provided. In one aspect, each of the coils in at least one of the pairs comprises a superconductor wire carrying an electric current in a direction opposite to the direction of current carried by the coils of another of the superconductive pairs. The superconductor wire comprises a superconductor core and a stabilizer having a channel. The wire is wound so that the channel has a radially outward facing opening.

Abstract: A method for winding on embedded b-zero coil maintains the integrity of superconducting main coil and the b-zero wire during coil winding and during normal operation of a superconducting MRI magnet. The b-zero coil is co-wound with an aluminum overwrap while the aluminum overwrap is being wound onto the superconducting MRI coil. The two-wire geometries are selected such that the height or thickness of the aluminum overwrap is greater than or equal to the height or thickness of the b-zero coil wire. The b-zero coil wire sits in a cavity that is created by adjacent turns.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet support structure and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The superconducting magnet support structure having a solid body comprises an exterior side, an interior portion, and an interior side. The superconducting magnet support structure is formed by performing a wet winding process thereby winding fiber cloth onto a preformed support tooling, curing the fiber cloth, and removing the preformed support tooling from the superconducting magnet support structure. The method of fabricating the superconducting magnet support structure of the present invention provides versatility allowing it to be applied to various MRI systems with varying superconducting magnet dimensions and geometries.

Abstract: A superconducting magnetic resonance imaging magnet assembly is provided. The assembly includes an axial imaging bore to receive patients and a coil housing surrounding the axial bore. A main magnet coil assembly is disposed within the housing. The main magnet coil assembly includes a plurality of main magnet coils to produce a magnetic field. At least three pairs of superconductive coils are provided. In one aspect, each of the coils in at least one of the pairs comprises a superconductor wire carrying an electric current in a direction opposite to the direction of current carried by the coils of another of the superconductive pairs. The superconductor wire comprises a superconductor core and a stabilizer having a channel. The wire is wound so that the channel has a radially outward facing opening.

Abstract: A magnet cartridge for an open architecture superconducting magnet including an iron ring sandwiched between two coil forms, and including radial and axial positioning and securing apparatus to position, secure and maintain the relative positions of the coils on the coil forms and the iron ring in the presence of the strong superconducting magnet field generated by superconducting operation of said magnet.