Patent ID: 6011396
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
An open architecture magnet assembly with selectively adjustable magnetic field orientation with patient accessible magnetic resonance imaging enabling interventional procedures comprising:said magnetic assembly being supported on a base;a pair of spaced apart permanent magnet pole faces supported on said base providing a magnetic field and imaging volume in the space between said magnets;at least one member extending between said magnets outside said imaging volume to provide a magnetic flux return path therebetween;said magnet being selectively adjustable about a plurality of axes which is substantially parallel to said base to selectively control the orientation of said magnetic field in said imaging area relative to said base to enable optimization of the imaging of a selected region of said patient in said imaging volume; andadjustable means to automatically correct the magnetic field inhomogeneity within said imaging volume at a plurality of selected orientations and positions of said magnetic field;said means to adjust said magnetic field homogeneity including a plurality of adjustable magnetic shimming coils on at least one of said magnets adjacent to said imaging volume with automatic current flow provided through the shimming coils at each said selected position of said magnetic field.