Patent ID: 6522145
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:a magnet having a pair of opposed ferromagnetic pole surfaces disposed facing each other and defining a patient-receiving gap, and said pole surfaces being positioned to develop a horizontal magnetic field within the patient-receiving gap; a ferromagnetic yoke defining a ferromagnetic magnetic flux return circuit between said pair of pole surfaces; magnetic flux generating means for generating magnetic flux flowing from one to the other of said pole surfaces through the patient-receiving gap; and patient supporting and positioning means for supporting a patient within the magnetic field in the patient-receiving gap and for positioning the patient in a selected orientation within a range of orientations between one extreme in which the patient is generally vertical and another extreme in which the patient is generally horizontal to allow magnetic resonance study of the patient with the patient in an orientation between said extremes.