Patent ID: 7266406
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic resonance apparatus comprising: an apparatus housing; a basic magnetic field system which generates a static basic magnetic field in an imaging volume encompassed by said apparatus housing; a gradient field system which generates gradient fields in said examination volume; a radio frequency system having a transmission coil which emits a radio frequency excitation field in said examination volume, configured to trigger nuclear magnetic resonance signals in a subject in said examination volume, and a reception coil arrangement, comprising a local coil, configured to receive said nuclear magnetic resonance signals, said transmission coil having a non-variable geometry; a moveable carrier to which said local coil is attached, and a carrier mount, stationarily and permanently disposed within said examination volume, to which said moveable carrier is mounted, said moveable carrier being moveable from a remote position to a deployed position that causes said local coil to be placed against a subject in said examination volume; a restoring spring connected between said moveable carrier and said carrier mount that exerts a restoring force on said moveable carrier mount urging said carrier and said local coil towards said remote position, said restoring force exerted by said restoring spring being greater than a weight of said moveable carrier; a releasable holder that acts on said movable carrier to hold said local coil in said deployed position and, when released, allows said spring to automatically restore said local coil to said remote position; and an actuatable drive connected to said moveable carrier that, when actuated, applies a force to said movable carrier that is greater than said restoring force to move said carrier between said remote position and said deployed position against said subject.