Patent ID: 7538553
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. Magnetic structure for MRI machines, which machine has a geometry having a U or C-shaped section or an annular or O-shaped section, the magnetic structure having at least two opposite poles to which means for generating a magnetic field between said poles are associated and which poles are borne at a predetermined distance one with respect to the other by walls of a magnetic yoke having an inverted U shape or an annular or O shape, which poles or which means generating the magnetic field and/or at least a part of which yoke delimit a cavity housing at least a part of the patient body, while inside the volume of said cavity in an imaging volume the generated magnetic field has such a homogeneity characteristic to guarantee the acquisition of MRI images having predetermined required quality characteristics, wherein the magnetic structure is adapted for detecting diagnostic images of the anatomical region of the hand and/or foot and/or knee and/or elbow or parts thereof, wherein the free distance between poles of the magnetic structure is lower than 30 cm, and wherein the homogeneity of said field is provided with a peak to peak variation from about 30 to 50 ppm on a sphere or on an ellipsoid having diameters comprised from 5 to 20 cm.