Patent ID: 6792257
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method for selecting a local antenna, from among a plurality of local antennas, for use in producing imaging data in a diagnostic magnetic resonance apparatus, said plurality of local antennas being spatially distributed in said diagnostic magnetic resonance apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:(a) exciting a target volume, related to an imaging volume to be subsequently imaged, to emit magnetic resonance signals; (b) receiving said magnetic resonance signals with each local antenna in said plurality of local antennas; (c) for each of said local antennas, determining a characteristic quantity in the magnetic resonance signal received by that local antenna, representing a measure of a distance of said target volume from that local antenna; and (d) activating only the local antenna in said plurality of local antennas that is located closest to the target region, for subsequent use in producing image data for said imaging volume, dependent on said characteristic quantity.