# US 10,120,046 B2 · Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,120,046 B2 - Document ID: US10120046B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/000,274 - Filed: 2016-01-19 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-28 - Assignees: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation - Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation - Inventors: Hiromitsu Takamori; Kota Watanabe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120046B2 ## CPC - G01R 33/3854: {means for active and/or passive vibration damping or acoustical noise suppression in gradient magnet coil systems} - A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging - G01R 33/3802: {Manufacture or installation of magnet assemblies; Additional hardware for transportation or installation of the magnet assembly or for providing mechanical support to components of the magnet assembly} - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a magnetostatic field magnet, a gradient coil, and a bore tube. The magnetostatic field magnet is formed to have a cylindrical shape. The gradient coil is formed to have a cylindrical shape, on the inside of the magnetostatic field magnet. The bore tube is formed to have a cylindrical shape, on the inside of the gradient coil. A first space between the gradient coil and the bore tube is configured to be kept in a vacuum state while a second space between the gradient coil and the magnetostatic field magnet is configured to be kept in a state not being a vacuum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: a magnetostatic field magnet formed to have a cylindrical shape; a gradient coil formed to have a cylindrical shape, on an inside of the magnetostatic field magnet; a bore tube formed to have a cylindrical shape, on an inside of the gradient coil, and a hermetically-sealing member configured to hermetically seal a space between the gradient coil and the bore tube, wherein the hermetically-sealing member is an annular-shaped member that has a hollow inside and has a hole formed therein through which air is drawn into the hollow. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hermetically-sealing member is formed by using a foam material having a closed-cell foam structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein sizes of cells in the closed-cell foam structure are arranged in such a manner that the closer a cell is positioned to a surface of the hermetically-sealing member, the smaller the cell is. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bore tube has a projection formed on a surface thereof that is in contact with the hermetically-sealing member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a distance between the projection and the gradient coil is equal to or shorter than a half of a distance between the bore tube and the gradient coil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gradient coil has a projection formed on a surface thereof positioned on a side that is in contact with the hermetically-sealing member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a supporting structure configured to support the bore tube on the magnetostatic field magnet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the supporting structure includes a first supporting structure having a male screw thread and a second supporting structure having a female screw thread corresponding to the male screw thread. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bore tube is supported on a floor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rail for a couch on which a patient is placed is supported on either the magnetostatic field magnet or a floor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a lid configured to close a space formed between the magnetostatic field magnet and the gradient coil while being provided on at least one end face of the magnetostatic field magnet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the lid has a member provided on a face thereof that is in contact with either the magnetostatic field magnet or the gradient coil, the member being formed by using either a rubber material or an elastic foam material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the lid is configured with a plurality of plate-like members each having an arc shape, and the space formed between the magnetostatic field magnet and the gradient coil is closed by arranging the plurality of plate-like members in an annular formation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a vacuum pump configured to bring a first space between the gradient coil and the bore tube into a vacuum state while a second space between the gradient coil and the magnetostatic field magnet is kept in a state not being a vacuum. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the space and another space between the gradient coil and the magnetostatic field magnet are configured to be kept in a vacuum state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first space between the gradient coil and the bore tube is configured to be kept in a vacuum state while a second space between the gradient coil and the magnetostatic field magnet is configured to be kept in a state not being a vacuum.