See Active Shielding.

The region surrounding a magnet and exhibiting a magnetic field strength, which is significantly higher than the earth's magnetic field (typically 0.05-0.1 mT, depending on geographical location). Initially the most magnets had very extensive fringe fields. Magnets with iron have reduced the fringe field substantially (passively shielded magnets). At least, adding appropriate additional superconducting coils to superconducting magnets has resulted in a drastic reduction of the extent of the fringe fields (actively shielded magnets).
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).
Fringe fields constitute one of the major hazards of MR scanners as these fields acting over extended distances outside the magnet produce strong attractive forces upon magnetic objects. These can thus 'fly' into the magnet when loose nearby acting like projectiles. Fringe fields also exert unwanted forces on metallic implants in patients.

From Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc.;
VISART™ series is a 1.5 Tesla superconducting MRI system that has been designed to meet the expanding role of MRI in today's clinical environment. The system utilizes innovative technologies such as digital RF, high speed actively shielded gradients and optimized RF coils, which support a wide range of MRI developments. The Visart, an early type of Toshiba Medical Systems Inc., can be retrofitted or upgraded to the Excelart configuration.

From Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc.; FLEXART™ series is a 0.5 T superconducting MRI system that has been designed to meet the expanding role of MRI in today's clinical environment. The system utilizes innovative technologies such as digital RF, high speed actively shielded gradients and optimized RF coils which support a wide range of MRI developments.