Lightweight, compact, and high-performance 3T MR system for imaging the brain and extremities.

Purpose: To build and evaluate a small-footprint, lightweight, high-performance 3T MRI scanner for advanced brain imaging with image quality that is equal to or better than conventional whole-body clinical 3T MRI scanners, while achieving substantial reductions in installation costs.

Methods: A conduction-cooled magnet was developed that uses less than 12 liters of liquid helium in a gas-charged sealed system, and standard NbTi wire, and weighs approximately 2000 kg. A 42-cm inner-diameter gradient coil with asymmetric transverse axes was developed to provide patient access for head and extremity exams, while minimizing magnet-gradient interactions that adversely affect image quality.

Development of a 3 T-250 mm Bore MgB Magnet System.

The authors had reported components' development of 3 T-250 mm bore MgB magnet system. Pre-reacted MgB tape wire with copper lamination had n-value related problem due to raw Boron particle size inequality, but it had been corrected. Long MgB wires over 3 km had been supplied.