Patent ID: 8369929
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for use in Magnetic Resonance imaging of a part of a patient comprising: patient support table; an RF coil for use in the MR imaging of the upper torso of the patient including a posterior coil portion for location underneath the upper torso; the patient support table comprising a table support base for mounting in fixed position in an imaging suite; the patient support table comprising an upper patient support portion for structurally supporting the patient with the part of the patient exposed for imaging; the upper patient support portion of the patient support table being cantilevered from the table support base in a longitudinal direction so as to extend into a bore of an MRI magnet from one end of the magnet to an imaging zone of the magnet; the upper patient support portion having a bottom surface and a substantially planar upper surface; a mattress applied over the substantially planar upper surface of the patient support portion, the mattress having an upper surface for contacting the patient; a receptacle defined in one or both of the upper patient support portion and the mattress for receiving the posterior coil portion; the receptacle being located underneath the upper surface of the mattress and above the bottom surface of the upper patient support portion such that the posterior coil is supported from below by at least a part of the upper patient support portion; the receptacle having an inlet opening located and arranged such that, with the mattress in place on the support portion and the patient in place on the mattress, the opening is exposed beneath the upper surface.