Modelling and optimization of the magnetic circuit of a mobile nuclear magnetic resonance device for magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging, commonly known as MRI. is a powerful noninvasive imaging technique in clinical practice and material science. Unlike x-ray based computed tomography (CT) MRI doesn´t use ionising radiation and hence is considered safe. The resolution of MRI basically depends on the homogeneity and field strength of the primary magnetic field B/sub 0/ over the volume of interest. In clinical tomographs homogeneous fields are produced by solenoid coil windings with high current excitation. Those high currents require active shielding of the stray fields and helium cooling of the equipment. These solutions are unsuitable for mobile usage because of costs and especially weight. The digest introduces an optimized magnetic circuit for a Mobile Universal Surface Explorer called MOUSE which meets the requirements of sufficient homogeneity and low weight and costs.