Magnetic resonance imaging using a superconducting magnet with an off-center homogeneous field zone

We previously fabricated superconducting magnet component coils that were asymmetrically arranged along the coil axis. In this study, we performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using this magnet. The magnet consisted of seven coils wound up with NbTi wires, generating a homogeneous field zone at 29 mm off-center along the longitudinal axis. A gradient coil, a radio frequency coil, and other hardware were installed for MRI measurements. MRI of water in a sample tube and of a vegetable was performed using a spin-echo method under a static field of 0.77 T. If this concept of magnet design were extended to develop a larger MRI system for the human brain, a subject would have a wide field of vision and could move the hands during imaging.