A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space
within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a
patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the
physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet
frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed
from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate
MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient
is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.