A Novel 0.25 T Dedicated MRI Apparatus

A novel 0.25 T permanent magnet device for dedicated Magnetic Resonance Imaging is presented. The main feature is that the magnetic system is connected to a support enabling the rotation of the entire structure to perform patient examination under different weight bearing conditions. The rotation allows to study particularly hidden (in standard horizontal position) pathologies of the spine and other districts (extremities) like the knee. Main system and magnetic design challenges (due to rotation) are here discussed. This device represent the first and only attempt with a rotating magnet in dedicated MRI and it is part of a commercial scanner produced by Esaote S.p.A (G-SCAN)