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:
Oct. 19, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1997
Johannes C Van Driel, Eindhoven, NL;
Johannes J Van Vaals, Eindhoven, NL;
Dietrich J Holz, Ulzburg, DE;
Volker Rasche, Hamburg, DE;
U.S. Philips Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
MR imaging apparatus includes a magnet (1) for generating in an examination zone (3) a uniform, steady magnetic field having substantially parallel lines of force extending in a first direction (Z), a gradient coil system (5) for generating a magnetic gradient field, and an RF coil system for generating RF pulses and for receiving MR signals. The apparatus also includes devices (25,27,31) for generating data from the MR signals, and a reconstruction unit (39) for reconstructing an MR image of the examination zone (3) from a set of the data. A patient support system includes a table top (7) drive means (11) configured for displacement of the table top in the first direction (Z), and a connection (43) for coupling the drive means and the control unit (29). The magnet (1) has a generally toroidal-shaped housing (15) surrounding a bore (17) and has a longitudinal axis (19) extending substantially parallel to the first direction (Z). The housing (15) has a radial thickness (r) in a direction transverse to said axis (19) and a longitudinal thickness (1) in a direction substantially parallel to said axis, the radial thickness being greater than the longitudinal thickness.