MRI apparatus
AssigneeFonar Corporation
InventorsGordon T. Danby, John Linardos, Jevan Damadian, Raymond V. Damadian
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Abstract
A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.
Claims12
A method of magnetic resonance imaging comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning a patient within a gap defined by a ferromagnetic frame of a magnet;
- (b) positioning a physician within a working space within the frame of the magnet adjacent the gap;
- and
- (c) obtaining a magnetic resonance image of the patient using a magnetic field applied by said magnet with magnetic flux passing through said gap, said frame providing a flux return path such that the majority of the magnetic flux passing through said gap is returned through said frame.
A method as claimed in 6, wherein said at least one image is used to guide said probe to said region of patient being treated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.