When is the MRI magnet always on?

The MRI magnet is always on to maintain a strong and stable magnetic field necessary for imaging. This constant operation ensures that the magnetic environment is ready for any scans as soon as they are initiated. It allows for quick transitions between patients and minimizes downtime, ensuring that the imaging process can proceed efficiently.

Keeping the magnet on at all times also serves to preserve the superconducting state of the magnet, which is essential for achieving the high levels of sensitivity and resolution required in MRI scans. If the magnet were to be turned off, it would require significant time and effort to re-cool the magnet and return it to a superconducting state, which would disrupt the workflow of an MRI facility. Thus, the correct understanding is that the MRI magnet is always on to provide optimal imaging capabilities.