Patent ID: 6342787
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A magnetic resonance apparatus comprising:a main magnet which generates a main magnetic field through and surrounding an examination region, said main magnetic field having inhomogeneities; a gradient coil assembly which generates gradient magnetic fields across the examination region, said gradient magnetic fields having higher order harmonics; a multi-axis shim set disposed adjacent the gradient coil assembly, said multi-axis shim set (i) canceling inhomogeneities in the main magnetic field, and (ii) compensating for distortions caused by the higher order harmonics of the gradient magnetic field; an RF transmitter and coil assembly positioned adjacent to the examination region such that it excites magnetic resonance dipoles in and adjacent the examination region; an RF coil and receiver assembly which receives and demodulates magnetic resonance signals from the resonating dipoles; and, a reconstruction processor for reconstructing the demodulated magnetic resonance signals into an image representation.