Patent ID: 7545144

Claim:
A magnetic resonance imaging radiofrequency receive coil configured for imaging a human shoulder of a patient, said shoulder having a superior section, an anterior section and a posterior section, said coil comprising: (a) a solenoid element wherein said solenoid element is configured to extend around said shoulder; (b) a loop element wherein said loop element is configured to be positioned over said superior section of said shoulder; and (c) a saddle element comprising an array, wherein said array comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein said first portion is configured to be positioned over said anterior section of said shoulder, said second portion is configured to be positioned over said superior section of said shoulder and said third portion is configured to be positioned over said posterior section of said shoulder, wherein each of said first portion, said second portion and said third portion of said array at least partially overlaps said loop element.