The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1997
Alex Francis Byrne, Reading, GB;
Oxford Magnet Technology Limited, Oxon, GB;
Abstract
An open electromagnet for use in MRI apparatus includes a pair of field coils which respectively comprise juxtaposed poles between which an imaging volume of substantially homogeneous magnetic field is defined. A support structure, which serves rigidly to support the field coils in spaced apart relationship, includes two steel plates between which the field coils are positioned. The relative position of the field coils and the plates is selected such that forces of magnetic attraction between the field coils are at least partly counter-balanced by forces of attraction between the plates and the field coils. In this manner, the force on the field coils and their associated support structure due to the forces of attraction between the poles is significantly reduced or nullified.