(3D MRA) The 3D angiography technique can be applied to focus on fast flowing (arterial) blood and to visualize small tortuous vessels. 3D TOF images are less sensitive to turbulent flow artifacts. The advantage of this approach is that the signal, acquired from the entire volume has an increased signal to noise ratio. Slices are defined by a second phase encoded axis, which divides the volume into 'partitions'. 3D TOF MRA is acquired with 3D FT slabs or multiple overlapping thin 3D FT slabs (MOTSA) depending on the coverage required and the range of flow-velocities under examination.
Such 3D techniques can provide equal spatial resolution along all three axes, i.e. be 'isotropic', or the partition thickness can be greater or less than the in plane spatial resolution in which case can be said to be 'anisotropic'. The circle of Willis, anatomy as well as its fast arterial flow, lends itself well to both 3D TOF and 2D or 3D phase contrast angiography.

This line specifies the perimeter around a MR scanner within which the static magnetic fields are higher than five gauss. Five gauss and below are considered 'safe' levels of static magnetic field exposure for the general public.
Due to the physical properties of magnetic fields, the magnetic flux, which penetrates the useful volume of the magnet will return through the surroundings of the magnet to form closed field lines. Depending on the magnet construction, the returning flux will penetrate large open spaces (unshielded magnets) or will be confined largely to iron yokes or through secondary coils (shielded magnets).

Magnetic shielding through the use of secondary shielding coils designed to produce a magnetic field that cancels the field from primary coils in regions where it is not desired. These coils may be inside the magnet cryostat. Active shielding can be applied to the main magnet or to the gradient magnetic fields.

See also Magnetic Shielding, Self Shielding and Room Shielding.

(A or amp) The SI base unit of electric current.
Definition: Two parallel conductors, infinitely long and having negligible cross section, should be placed 1 meter apart in a perfect vacuum. One ampere is the current that creates between them a force of 0.2 micronewton per meter of length.
One ampere represents a current flow of 1 coulomb of charge per second.
One ampere of current results from a potential distribution of 1 volt per ohm of resistance, or from a power production rate of 1 watt per volt of potential.
The unit is known informally as the amp, but A is its official symbol and is named for the French physicist André-Marie Ampère.

Frequency of oscillation or rotation (measured in radians/second) commonly designated by the Greek letter w; w = 2pf, where f is frequency (in hertz (Hz)).