Patent ID: 7227361
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: a supplying unit, which supplies gradient magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses to an object to be examined, placed in a static magnetic field so as to generate magnetic resonance signals in the object; a radio frequency coil unit which includes a plurality of RF surface coils arrayed about a common image volume in each of first, second and third directions mutually perpendicular to each other, there being at least two surface coils arrayed in said first direction, at least two surface coils arrayed in said second direction and at least two surface coils arrayed in said third direction, said arrayed surface coils being configured for detecting the magnetic resonance signals with respect to the first, second and third directions; an image-generating unit, which generates an MRI, image on the basis of the magnetic resonance signals detected by the plurality of surface coils; a receiving section which receives the magnetic resonance signals detected by the plurality of surface coils and transmits the magnetic resonance signals detected by the plurality of surface coils to the image generating unit; and a control unit, which controls the supplying unit, the image generating unit and the receiving section so as to be capable of executing parallel imaging in each of said first, second, and third directions in order to produce said MRI image of the object.