The present invention relates to an integrated magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) RF apparatus and method of constructing the same. One Embodiment of
the present invention provides an MRI apparatus comprising an examination
region, a patient support, at least one vacuum thermal isolation housing,
a main magnet system for generating a main magnetic field in the
examination region, and a cryogenic system. The vacuum thermal isolation
housing comprises a hermetically sealed high vacuum jacket that encloses
a low vacuum space hosting at least one superconductor RF coil and a heat
sink assembly therein. The RF coil is in thermal contact with the heat
sink assembly that is coupled to the cryogenic system through a heat pipe
to achieve and maintain a desired low temperature at the superconductor
RF coil.