Patent ID: 6683456
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
An open magnetic resonance apparatus comprising:a first magnet assembly which generates a temporally constant main magnetic field through an examination region between first and second poles and a fringe field that extends peripherally outward from the main magnetic field on opposite sides of the poles from the main magnetic field; a permanent magnet assembly disposed on the opposite side of one of the poles from the main magnetic field to reshape at least a portion of the fringe field by compressing flux lines on the opposite side of the one pole closer to the one pole; an RF transmitter which transmits radio frequency pulses to an RF coil assembly to excite resonance in selected dipoles in the examination region, such that the dipoles generate resonance signals; an RF coil assembly which receives resonance signals from the resonating dipoles; at least one radio frequency receiver for demodulating the resonance signals received from the RF coil assembly; and, a processor for processing the demodulated resonance signals.