Patent ID: 7680525
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a static horizontal magnetic field between a pair of opposed pole faces along a horizontal field axis of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the opposed pole faces being spaced apart along the horizontal field axis to define a patient receiving gap; positioning a patient with the spine in a weight bearing position on a patient support apparatus within the patient receiving gap of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus such that a frontal plane of the patient is perpendicular to the horizontal field axis with the patient positioned to face one of the pole faces; scanning a first portion of the spine as the patient's torso moves laterally between a plurality of imaging positions; adjusting the position of the patient support such that a second portion of the spine can be scanned; and scanning the second portion of the spine as the patient's torso moves laterally between a plurality of imaging positions.