Development of an MRI System using a High Tc Bulk Superconducting Magnet

Kyohei Ogawa¹, Takashi Nakamura², Yasuhiko Terada¹, Katsumi Kose¹, Tomoyuki Haishi³

An MRI system was developed using a high critical temperature (T_c) bulk superconducting magnet. The bulk superconducting magnet was energized using a conventional superconducting NMR magnet operated at 4.7 T. Field homogeneity of the magnet was measured using a phase method. The inhomogeneity in the central Φ6.2 mm 9.1 mm cylindrical region was 3.3 (RMS) and 35 (peak to peak) ppm, respectively. 3D spin echo MR images of water phantoms have demonstrated a promise of our system.