Patent · US Expired

Multiple tap gradient field coil for magnetic resonance imaging

US5311135A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
9References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1992
Grant dateMay 10, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R33/385
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An NMR imaging system includes an apparatus for producing a magnetic field gradient within an imaging volume into which the object being imaged is placed. The relatively linear region of the magnetic field gradient is adjusted depending upon the size of the object. The apparatus comprises a source of a gradient signal and four saddle coils positioned in quadrant of a sheet that is wrapped around a cylindrical form. Each saddle coil has a spiral shaped conductive pattern on which are located a primary termination point and a pair of secondary termination points. A switch mechanism connects the four saddle coils in series with the source of a gradient signal, so that voltage from the gradient signal is applied between the primary termination point and a selected secondary termination point of each saddle coil. A control signal applied to the switch mechanism indicates selected secondary termination point and the signal varies according to the size of the object.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.