Patent ID: 6037775
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of stabilizing the static magnetic field in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:(a) applying an excitation pulse to a test sample disposed in the static magnetic field and acquiring a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal from the test sample;(b) determining a number of features observed in a signal indicative of the NMR signal during a first predetermined period of time;(c) ascertaining a value of a characteristic observed in a signal indicative of the NMR signal during a second predetermined period of time, wherein the characteristic comprises signal area obtained by integrating the signal indicative of the NMR signal over the second predetermined period of time; and(d) applying a correction signal based on the number of recurring features and the value of the characteristic to adjust the static magnetic field until the NMR signal reaches a setpoint frequency at which the number of recurring features reaches a setpoint number and the value of the characteristic reaches a setpoint value, wherein said setpoint value comprises a desired signal area.