An MRI apparatus includes a charge/discharge controlling unit, a judging unit and a condition restricting unit. The charge/discharge controlling unit includes a charge/discharge element, receives electric power, and charges the charge/discharge element by using the received electric power. The charge/discharge controlling unit also supplies a gradient magnetic field coil with electric power discharged from the charge/discharge element at a time of performance of magnetic resonance imaging. The judging unit judges whether capacitance of the charge/discharge element falls below a threshold value or not. The condition restricting unit restricts electric power amount supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil by restricting conditions of an imaging sequence, when the capacitance of the charge/discharge element falls below the threshold value.

An MRI apparatus includes a charge/discharge controlling unit, a judging unit and a condition restricting unit. The charge/discharge controlling unit includes a charge/discharge element, receives electric power, and charges the charge/discharge element by using the received electric power. The charge/discharge controlling unit also supplies a gradient magnetic field coil with electric power discharged from the charge/discharge element at a time of performance of magnetic resonance imaging. The judging unit judges whether capacitance of the charge/discharge element falls below a threshold value or not. The condition restricting unit restricts electric power amount supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil by restricting conditions of an imaging sequence, when the capacitance of the charge/discharge element falls below the threshold value.

A radiation therapy system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system combined with an irradiation system, which can include one or more linear accelerators (linacs) that can emit respective radiation beams suitable for radiation therapy. The MRI system includes a split magnet system, comprising first and second main magnets separated by gap. A gantry is positioned in the gap between the main MRI magnets and supports the linac(s) of the irradiation system. The gantry is rotatable independently of the MRI system and can angularly reposition the linac(s). Shielding can also be provided in the form of magnetic and/or RF shielding. Magnetic shielding can be provided for shielding the linac(s) from the magnetic field generated by the MRI magnets. RF shielding can be provided for shielding the MRI system from RF radiation from the linac.

A radiation therapy system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system combined with an irradiation system, which can include one or more linear accelerators (linacs) that can emit respective radiation beams suitable for radiation therapy. The MRI system includes a split magnet system, comprising first and second main magnets separated by gap. A gantry is positioned in the gap between the main MRI magnets and supports the linac(s) of the irradiation system. The gantry is rotatable independently of the MRI system and can angularly reposition the linac(s). Shielding can also be provided in the form of magnetic and/or RF shielding. Magnetic shielding can be provided for shielding the linac(s) from the magnetic field generated by the MRI magnets. RF shielding can be provided for shielding the MRI system from RF radiation from the linac.

MRI compatible localization and/or guidance systems for facilitating placement of an interventional therapy and/or device in vivo include: (a) a mount adapted for fixation to a patient; (b) a targeting cannula with a lumen configured to attach to the mount so as to be able to controllably translate in at least three dimensions; and (c) an elongate probe configured to snugly slidably advance and retract in the targeting cannula lumen, the elongate probe comprising at least one of a stimulation or recording electrode. In operation, the targeting cannula can be aligned with a first trajectory and positionally adjusted to provide a desired internal access path to a target location with a corresponding trajectory for the elongate probe. Automated systems for determining an MR scan plane associated with a trajectory and for determining mount adjustments are also described.

An anomaly detection system comprising a diagnostic interface and a data acquisition system capable of recording data indicating variation of voltages at tapping points in a superconducting magnet. Data representing those variations in voltages may be stored as a data log and a processor may analyze the data in order to identify a mechanical impact.

Methods and apparatus for determining at least one metabolic state of a subject using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitoring device. The NMR monitoring device comprises at least one magnet configured to generate a primary magnetic field, a transceiver coil arranged within the primary magnetic field, wherein the transceiver coil is configured to apply a time series of radiofrequency (RF) pulses to a portion of a subject located within the primary magnetic field and detect an NMR signal generated in response to application of the time series of RF pulses, and an NMR spectrometer communicatively coupled to the transceiver coil. The NMR spectrometer is configured to process the detected NMR signal to determine at least one metabolic state of the subject.

The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging antenna (113, 113′) comprising multiple loop antenna elements (114, 114′) with multiple infrared thermometry sensors (115, 115′). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna is configured for being positioned adjacent to an external surface (119) of the subject and at least a portion of the multiple infrared thermometry sensors are directed towards the external surface. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a memory (134, 136) containing machine executable instructions (150, 152) and pulse sequence instructions (140). The machine executable instructions causes a processor controlling the system to: acquire (200) the magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system with the pulse sequence instructions; repeatedly (202) measure at least one surface temperature (146) of the subject with the multiple infrared thermometry sensors during acquisition of the magnetic resonance data; and perform (204) a predefined action if the at least one surface temperature is above a predefined temperature.

The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging antenna (113, 113′) comprising multiple loop antenna elements (114, 114′) with multiple infrared thermometry sensors (115, 115′). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna is configured for being positioned adjacent to an external surface (119) of the subject and at least a portion of the multiple infrared thermometry sensors are directed towards the external surface. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a memory (134, 136) containing machine executable instructions (150, 152) and pulse sequence instructions (140). The machine executable instructions causes a processor controlling the system to: acquire (200) the magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system with the pulse sequence instructions; repeatedly (202) measure at least one surface temperature (146) of the subject with the multiple infrared thermometry sensors during acquisition of the magnetic resonance data; and perform (204) a predefined action if the at least one surface temperature is above a predefined temperature.

An arrangement for setting the spatial profile of a magnetic field in a working volume of a main field magnet (2), in particular a superconducting main field magnet, of a magnetic resonance installation. The main field magnet is arranged in a cryostat (1) and the spatial profile is set by a passive shim apparatus (3) with magnetic field forming elements which are arranged within the cryostat during operation and which have cryogenic temperatures. The magnetic resonance installation contains a room temperature tube (4), in which the sample volume is situated during operation. The passive shim apparatus is introduced into or removed from the cold region of the cryostat via a vacuum lock (5), without needing to ventilate the cold region of the cryostat. This provides a relatively simple, cost effective, and time-efficient method to carry out a stable field homogenization using a passive shim apparatus.