The Whole Body 11.7 T MRI Magnet for Iseult/INUMAC Project

Neurospin, a neuroscience research centre with very high field MRI equipments, just opened in November 2006 at Saclay by the CEA life science division. One of the imaging systems will require an 11.7 T magnet with a 900 mm warm bore. This magnet is currently under development at CEA Saclay, in collaboration with Siemens Medical Solutions and Alstom Magnets and Superconductors, within the framework of the French-German consortium Iseult/INUMAC (Imaging of Neuro disease Using high field. MAgnetic resonance and Contrastophores). The main aim of the consortium is to promote magnetic resonance and molecular imaging within high magnetic fields. The proposed magnet design is based on conservative options, but definitely unusual construction methods, for an MRI magnet (pancake winding, liquefier, stabilized power supply). These key design points therefore need to be assessed with several prototypes, integrated within a 5 years projected development plan, ending in 2011. The paper will present the objectives of the project as well as the main characteristics of the magnet and its development plan.