Method and apparatus for obtaining in-vivo NMR data from a moving subject

Abstract

Apparatus for obtaining in-vivo nuclear magnetic resonance data from a moving joint of a patient for imaging or spectroscopic purposes is shown which includes a support (10) for support of the patient's hand and lower arm (12). Support (10) includes a stationary section (20) and a pivotally movable section (22) which is oscillated by motor (32). A pivot shaft (26) supports member (22) for pivotal movement in the direction of arrow (30) about the shaft axis (28). Straps (14) and (16) attach the patient's hand and forearm to the respective moving and stationary sections of the support whereby the patient's wrist joint is oscillated along a predetermined path during operation of motor (32). A timing cylinder (40) with timing marks thereon is attached to shaft (26), for generation of master timing pulses by photocell (44) responsive to the timing marks through fiber optic member (42). Nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus of conventional design generates magnetic fields within region (52) at the patient's wrist, and detects nuclear magnetic signals produced by the magnetic fields. Master timing pulses control operation of the magnetic resonance apparatus during oscillation of the wrist joint for production of imaging or spectroscopic signals at different points along the path of wrist movement. For operation in the imaging mode, a motion picture display of the moving wrist joint is provided at display (78). In the spectroscopy operation mode, spectrum data is displayed at display (78).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.