Scientific instruments developer Varian Inc. of Palo Alto, CA, has completed development of an actively shielded 7-tesla MRI magnet for research applications.
Varian said it recently completed the magnet, which it claims is unique in its use of active shielding at the 7-tesla field strength. Clinical MRI magnets at 1.5 tesla or 3 tesla use actively shielded magnets, but until now 7-tesla magnets were required to have 400 to 800 tons of surrounding iron to form a magnetic shield. Varian claims that the use of active shielding at 7 tesla will make ultrahigh-field magnets more widely available for research use.
The magnet is being developed for a U.S. government research facility with the goal of having the technology adopted by clinical MRI system vendors. The magnet will be commissioned at its final site in the U.S. in early 2010.
The magnet was built at Varian Inc.'s Magnet Technology Center in Oxford, U.K., which has manufactured more than 80% of the world's ultrahigh-field MRI magnets, according to the company.
Related Reading
GE, Varian Inc. launch 7-tesla MRI unit, May 13, 2009
Varian Inc. plans layoffs, January 19, 2009
GE inks 7-telsa MRI deal with Varian, September 15, 2008
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