Patent ID: 8077002

Claim:
A magnet for use in MRI applications, said magnet generally comprising: i. a pair of solid disk-like permanent magnets oriented about a plane of symmetry parallel to each to define an air gap region and wherein each solid disk-like permanent magnet includes an outer permanent magnet ring offset and extending towards the air gap region to form an L-magnet to allow the pair of L-magnets to be utilized as magnetic field sources; ii. a pair of disk-like poles wherein one pole is disposed to be secured on each one of the L-magnets on the sides facing the air gap region and wherein each pole further includes a ring-like section on an outer edges abutting the inside of the permanent magnet rings to form an L-pole; iii. the pair of L-magnets each having disposed on them a tapered disk-like yoke with an annular ring section that substantially abuts the permanent magnet ring so a T-yoke is formed on their surfaces opposite the air gap region; and iv. the pair of T-yokes connected to each other by returns so that the entire magnet assembly can form a closed magnetic flux circuit to substantially confine the magnetic fields in said air gap, L-poles, L-magnets, T-yokes and returns whereby said air gap, being cylindrical in geometry, forms an imaging region to place subjects for the purposes of examination.