The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1997
Aaron G Filler, London, GB;
Franklyn A Howe, London, GB;
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US);
St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, GB;
Cancer Research Campaign - Technology Limited, London, GB;
Abstract
A focal magnetic resonance imaging system (20) for generating images of neural structures such as nerves. The system (20) includes a control and analysis system (22), a polarizing system (24), and splint-coil assembly (26). The splint-coil assembly (26) includes a splint (28) and various magnetic and electromagnetic coils (32,40,42) incorporated within the splint (28). The splint (28) conforms snugly to a patient's body part, e.g., limb, so that the coils (32,40,42) are fixed with respect to the patient's body part. The splint-coil assembly (26) can be positioned independently of a main field generated by the polarizing system (24), and a stabilization apparatus (156) is included for adjustably securing the position of the splint-coil assembly (26) during imaging. A focal magnet assembly (60) that can serve as the polarizing system (24) is also provided. Further provided is a method of operating the control and analysis system (22) to consistently generate images depicting the fascicular structure of nerves (100) by ensuring that image gradients (108) are oriented orthogonal to the nerves (100).