Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

Abstract

A gantry defines an opening, and a surface coil is mounted in a predetermined position inside the opening. In tomography using this MRI apparatus, an examinee supported on a top board is moved into the opening. At this time, the top board is movable without being obstructed by the surface coil. The surface coil receives NMR signals from a photographed site lying directly over the surface coil. Sectional images are prepared based on the NMR signals received. When shifting the site to be photographed, the operator in a scanner control room gives an instruction to move the top board, thereby adjusting a photographing position. It is unnecessary for the examinee to move on the top board, or for the operator to move from the scanner control room to the photographing room. The examinee entering the gantry opening is illuminated by light from a light projector. A position of the top board when the light illuminates the site to be photographed is regarded as a starting point. The top board is moved from the starting point by a distance between the light projector and surface coil. This achieves an accurate positional adjustment between the site to be photographed and the surface coil.