Patent ID: 8064984
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, comprising: a magnet having a two opposite and spaced apart poles and a column or wall transverse to the poles and connecting the poles; the poles defining two opposite walls delimiting a patient-imaging space, the two opposite walls extending along substantially parallel planes which are substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane; and a patient positioning table which is slidably connected to one of the two poles in a position between the two poles and which table extends substantially parallel to the two opposite poles; the table being slidable with respect to the magnet in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the table; a drive configured to displace the table relative to the magnet; a lock configured to lock the table in a selected position relative to the magnet; the magnet being supported rotatably along a central horizontal axis of the transverse wall or column, the central horizontal axis of the transverse wall or column thereby defining an axis of rotation passing between the two poles of the magnet; a drive configured to rotate magnet about the axis; the table being connected to the magnet such that the table rotates with the magnet when the magnet rotates about said axis of rotation; the magnet and the table being configured to rotate from a position in which the poles and the table are substantially horizontal to a position in which the table and the poles are substantially vertical, and vice versa; and the rotation of the table and the magnet are locked together by the lock.