Apparatus for obtaining image information through use of a nuclear magnetic resonance signal

An apparatus for obtaining image information through use of a nuclear magnetic resonance signal, comprising:

• static field generating means for generating a static magnetic field which is horizontal and perpendicularly intersects the longitudinal axis of a horizontally-extending body to be examined;
• gradient field generating means, having three axes intersecting perpendicularly to one another, for generating in the static magnetic field a gradient magnetic field whose intensity is graded along respective ones of said three axes and whose direction is parallel to the static magnetic field, one of said three axes being parallel to the static magnetic field;
• a solenoid coil provided in the static magnetic field with its axis held horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of the static magnetic field, the solenoid coil defining inside thereof a cylindrical space in which the body extends in parallel relation to the axis of the solenoid coil;
• a substantially flat surface coil disposed in the static magnetic field over a desired region of the body and with its face held in opposing relation to the surface of the region;
• transmitting means, connected selectively to the solenoid coil and the surface coil, for supplying high-frequency pulses selectively to the solenoid coil and the surface coil;
• receiving means, connected selectively to the solenoid coil and the surface coil, for detecting the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal from the body received selectively by the solenoid coil and the surface coil, and for providing the detected NMR signal as NMR data in a digital form;
• and
• computer means, connected to the receiving means, for storing the NMR data from the receiving means and obtaining spatial distribution of information contained in the detected NMR signal.