Patent ID: 6031373
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of imaging a region of a body by sensing magnetic fields generated by nuclear magnetic resonance in said body, which comprises the steps of(a) subjecting the body to a first homogenous static magnetic polarization field, and then reducing the field intensity of said first static magnetic polarization field,(b) causing a further static magnetic field to act on said body,(1) the field lines of the further static magnetic field extending transversely to the field lines of the first static magnetic polarization field, and(2) a gradient of the field intensity being present therein,(c) sensing from the magnetic fields generated in the body by nuclear resonance a component extending in the direction of the field lines of the first static magnetic polarization field by a highly sensitive SQUID gradiometer,(1) the SQUID gradiometer having detection coils that have no signal-emitting inductive coupling with the first static magnetic polarization field, and(d) processing the signals generated by the SQUID gradiometer in a data processing device to give an image.