Double-duty gradient coil assembly having two primary gradient coil sets and a common screening coil set

A method of designing a shielded gradient coil assembly (22) for magnetic resonance imaging systems is provided. The gradient coil structure comprises two sets of primary gradient coils (60, 62) and a single set of a shielded (screening) coils (64). This configuration is suitable for MR applications utilizing a double duty gradient configuration including a high-efficiency primary coil set that enhances the performance of ultra fast MR sequencing while minimizing the dB/dt and eddy current effects, and including a low-efficiency primary coil set having a high-quality gradient field that is suitable for conventional imaging applications with inherently low dB/dt and eddy current levels. In addition, a minimum inductance/energy algorithm assists in the design of the two primary and the one secondary gradient sets.