Patent · US Expired

MRI gradient coil with variable field of view and apparatus and methods employing the same

US6538443B2 · kind B2 · utility

44Cited by
16References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 20, 2001
Grant dateMar 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 20, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R33/3875
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A gradient coil assembly (22) generates magnetic field gradients across the main magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and includes a base gradient coil set which generates magnetic field gradients which are substantially linear over a first useful imaging volume, and a correction gradient coil set which generates magnetic field gradients having substantially no first order moment. The correction gradient coil set produces third and higher order moments which combine with higher order terms of the base gradient coil set to produce magnetic field gradients which are substantially linear over a second useful imaging volume different from the first useful imaging volume. In a preferred embodiment, the second volume is continuously variable by adjusting the amounts of current applied to the base and correction coils.

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