Efficiently shielded MRI gradient coil with discretely or continuously variable field of view

摘要

A gradient coil assembly generates magnetic field gradients across the main magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and includes a primary gradient coil (22p) switchable between a first configuration which generates magnetic field gradients which are substantially linear over a first useful imaging volume, and a second configuration which generates magnetic field gradients which are substantially linear over a second useful imaging volume. A first shield coil set (22s1) is complimentary to the primary gradient coil in one of the first and second configurations, and a second shield coil set (22s2), when either used alone or in combination with the first shield coil, is complimentary to the other of the first and second configurations.