Nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus

• US 4,612,505 A
• Filed: 06/08/1984
• Issued: 09/16/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Zijlstra, Hinne
• Primary Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US06/618,800
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 335/216, 335/299, 324/300, 324/318, 324/319, 324/320, 324/322
• US Class Current: 324/318
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3873 using ferromagnetic bodies ; Passive shimming
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/421 of main or gradient magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 505/844 Nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, system or device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 505/872 Magnetic field shield

Abstract

A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus comprises an electromagnetic system in which a shield of a magnetic material is arranged about the coil system for the homogeneous magnetic field. By providing the magnetic material, for example soft iron, directly about the coil system, a comparatively compact magnet with an intensified, interference-insensitive homogeneous magnetic field is obtained. Instead of using a closed cylinder, use can alternatively be made of a cylinder which is formed by rods. The latter is notably attractive for shielding at a larger distance, the original field in the coil then being influenced to only a minor extent. A similar shielding can be obtained by means of a Helmholtz coil pair.

Claims

1. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus, comprising a magnet which comprises an electromagnetic coil system for generating a homogeneous magnetic field in an examination space which is enclosed by the magnet, and a shield for the external stray field of the coil system arranged coaxially about the electromagnetic coil system, the shield comprising a plurality of rods of a soft magnetic material which are axially directed and uniformly spaced on at least a portion of a cylindrical surface which extends concentrically about the coil system, the length of said rods being at least equal to the axial length of the coil system.

2. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rods are arranged directly about the coil system and forms one integral unit therewith.

3. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rods are provided at their axial ends with radially inwards directed extensions which reach at least as far as the vicinity of the windings of the coil system.

4. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 3, wherein the magnet includes superconducting windings and the shield for external stray fields and the superconducting windings are accommodated in a Dewar vessel for liquid helium.

5. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed claims 1 or 3 wherein the soft magnetic material of the rods is premagentized.

6. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rods are provided with a current winding for premagnetization.

7. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least a piece of a permanent magnetic material is added to each of the rods.

8. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein near the axial ends of the shield for external stray fields there is arranged a shielding coil which is accommodated in a Dewar vessel for liquid helium.

9. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rods are spaced about the entire cylindrical surface.