Picker International, Inc.

James L Gruden

William H Amor, Sr

Gordon D DeMeester

Michael Andrew Morich

Jerome S Alden, Sr

Junxiao Ling

Jerome S Alden

A diagnostic imaging apparatus such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device includes a vacuum vessel (,) having a central helium reservoir (,) in which superconducting magnetic coil windings (,) are maintained at a superconducting temperature. The vacuum vessel defines a bore (,) within which a gradient tube assembly (,) and an RF coil (,) are received. The gradient tube assembly includes an integral tongue (,) extending from a patient end (,) thereof. A first constraint (,) retrains the gradient tube assembly in a &ldquo;push-pull&rdquo; arrangement in both directions along the z-axis. The constraint (,) is mounted to a patient-end of the vessel (,) at a lowermost (i.e., six o'clock) position. The constraint includes vibration isolators (,) interposed between the tongue and a saddle mount (,) to reduce vibration transmission from the gradient tube assembly to the vessel. A second constraint (,) and a third constraint (,) are positioned at the twelve-o'clock positions at the patient-end and service-end, respectively of the vessel. The constraints (,) restrain the gradient tube assembly in directions along the x and y-axes. Each constraint (,) includes at least one elastomeric plug (,) and means for expanding the plug along the x and/or y-axis to wedge the plug between the gradient tube assembly and a cylindrical housing member (,) defining the bore (,).

Method and apparatus for mounting gradient tube to diagnostic imaging device

The magnetic field assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging device includes an annular superconducting magnet (10) which is mounted within a toroidal vacuum vessel (24). Two cylindrical members (26, 46) define an annular gap (58). A shim set (60) for shimming the uniformity of the magnetic field is mounted in the gap (58). The shim set includes a plurality of shim trays (62), each of which defines a plurality of shim receiving pockets (64). A bottom wall (81) of each pocket is spaced from the cylindrical member (26) by side walls (76) and feet (78) to minimized heat flow. Shim tray covers (68) have flanges (90) and narrow contact surfaces (94) which are cammed against surfaces (61) of spacers (56) to press the cover on the tray and the tray feet against the cylinder (26) while minimizing heat flow through the spacers to the shims.

Shim tray with reduced heat conduction and forced cooling

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Kirtland Hills, OH, United States of America

James L Gruden