Superconducting systems for MRI-present solutions and new trends

Over the past two decades, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed into a mature technology, and is the leading commercial large-scale application of superconductivity. This is still a rapidly evolving field, characterized by constantly emerging configurations requiring innovative technical solutions, with trends toward increasing field strength B/sub 0/ and more advanced magnetic, cryogenic and integrated system design. This paper describes the main technical approaches and challenges in MRI superconducting electromagnetic design, trade-offs in the magnet parametric design space and their effect on the superconducting design. Recent trends, advanced novel configurations and different applications are discussed. The trend toward higher fields manifests itself in the ongoing shift of clinical applications to 3 T, as well as in recent developments of whole-body MRI with field strength up to 9.4 T. Illustrations are presented from commercial and developing MRI systems.