Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable wire dimension gradient coil. In one example, a gradient coil includes a length of coiled wire, the wire comprising a first segment having a first width and a second segment having a second width, the second width smaller than the first width.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gradient coil assembly includes a substrate and first hollow conductor coil. The substrate has a surface. The first hollow conductor coil includes a first coiled portion and a first end run portion joined by a first eye lead portion. The first coiled portion defines a series of increasing radius loops disposed on the surface of the substrate, with an outer loop of the first coiled portion defining a coiled portion boundary. The first eye lead portion is disposed in a central portion of the first coiled portion. The first end run portion extends continuously from the first coiled portion via the first eye lead portion beyond the coiled portion boundary.

Abstract: A connection system includes a connector electrically connected and fixedly secured to a gradient coil assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging device, a cable block fixedly secured to a magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging device substantially above the connector, and a cable having a first end electrically connected to the cable block and a second end received by the connector and forming an electrical connection between the connector and the cable block.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable wire dimension gradient coil. In one example, a gradient coil includes a length of coiled wire, the wire comprising a first segment having a first width and a second segment having a second width, the second width smaller than the first width.

Abstract: A connection system includes a connector electrically connected and fixedly secured to a gradient coil assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging device, a cable block fixedly secured to a magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging device substantially above the connector, and a cable having a first end electrically connected to the cable block and a second end received by the connector and forming an electrical connection between the connector and the cable block.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gradient coil assembly includes a substrate and first hollow conductor coil. The substrate has a surface. The first hollow conductor coil includes a first coiled portion and a first end run portion joined by a first eye lead portion. The first coiled portion defines a series of increasing radius loops disposed on the surface of the substrate, with an outer loop of the first coiled portion defining a coiled portion boundary. The first eye lead portion is disposed in a central portion of the first coiled portion. The first end run portion extends continuously from the first coiled portion via the first eye lead portion beyond the coiled portion boundary.

Abstract: A displacer for adjusting a level of a liquid cryogen in a cryostat. The displacer including an expandable member at least partially defining a sealed chamber. The expandable member being configured to transition from a collapsed state where the sealed chamber has a smaller volume to an expanded state where the sealed chamber has a larger volume. The displacer includes a first end piece attached to a first end of the expandable member and a second end piece attached to a second end of the expandable member.

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 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: 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 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: A displacer for adjusting a level of a liquid cryogen in a cryostat. The displacer including an expandable member at least partially defining a sealed chamber. The expandable member being configured to transition from a collapsed state where the sealed chamber has a smaller volume to an expanded state where the sealed chamber has a larger volume. The displacer includes a first end piece attached to a first end of the expandable member and a second end piece attached to a second end of the expandable member.

Abstract: A low-profile shipping system for shipping an object without a pallet includes a shipping crate configured to surround the object being shipped. The shipping crate is configured to substantially enclose the object being shipped. The shipping crate defines a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway and the second passageway are adapted to receive a fork of a forklift. The low-profile shipping system also includes a shipping rail attached to the inside of the shipping crate at a location above the first passageway and the second passageway. The shipping rail is adapted to support the weight of the object and the shipping crate while the object is being transported by forklift.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet support structure is provided. The support structure includes an exterior portion and an interior portion. The exterior portion has multiple shoulders and multiple pockets. The shoulders and pockets are dimensioned corresponding to dimensions of a superconducting magnet. The interior portion has a base coupled to the shoulders. The exterior portion and the interior portion contain roving at approximately 0° and 90° directions relative to a center axis extending through the support structure. A method of fabricating the support structure is also provided including applying an integrated multi-layer glass tape to a preformed support tooling during a wet winding process.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet support structure is provided. The support structure includes an exterior portion and an interior portion. The exterior portion has multiple shoulders and multiple pockets. The shoulders and pockets are dimensioned corresponding to dimensions of a superconducting magnet. The interior portion has a base coupled to the shoulders. The exterior portion and the interior portion contain roving at approximately 0° and 90° directions relative to a center axis extending through the support structure. A method of fabricating the support structure is also provided including applying an integrated multi-layer glass tape to a preformed support tooling during a wet winding process.

Abstract: A non-uniform multi-layer thermally insulating blanket assembly for use in a superconducting magnet in the tapered space between the thermal radiation shield and a conical support assembly includes three steps at different thicknesses provided by multiple blankets with layer staking and blanket positioning.

Abstract: A thermally insulating joint for multilayer insulating blankets for a superconducting magnet with layers of low thermal emissivity material separated by low conductivity spacers staked together with adjacent joints and vents offset from each other and with low emissivity adhesive strips overlying the remote ends of adjacent layers of the joined blankets.