Real-time MR imaging inside gantry room

Abstract

Continuously updated real-time magnetic resonance imaging processes are used to display an MR image volume to an operator and/or patient co-located with the MRI magnet, viewing console and other elements of an MRI system within the same shielded gantry room. A CRT display may be used for lower field MRI systems while liquid crystal displays may be necessary for higher field MRI systems since the viewing console is to be co-located within the shielded gantry room near the MRI magnet assembly. Suitable RF shielding is provided to RF-isolate the viewing console and its related power and video signal cables from the MRI RF coils being used to monitor relatively weak NMR signals emanating from the image volume within the magnet assembly. When used with open access MRI magnet assemblies, such real-time viewing of the image volume within the gantry room permits performance of simultaneous patient procedures guided by real-time visual feedback to the patient and/or doctor, nurse, patient attendant and the like while located within the gantry room and having direct access to the patient anatomy within the image volume.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.