Method and system for extended volume imaging using MRI

A method for producing an image from an extended volume of interest within a subject using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system where the extended volume of interest is larger than an imaging portion of a magnet within the MRI system, the method comprising:

• translating the volume using a positioning device along an axis of the MRI system and the imaging portion of the magnet, the positioning device being translated at a plurality of incremented positions along the axis;
• detecting a plurality of MR signals from at least one radiofrequency (RF) coil for a given field-of-view within the MRI system as the positioning device is translated;
• sending the plurality of MR signals to a plurality of receivers, the receivers being configured to be adjusted in frequency in response to the positioning device being translated, wherein the receivers are adapted to be adjusted in frequency at a rate commensurate with a rate of translation of the positioning device;
• computing a plurality of respective sub-images corresponding to the plurality of MR signals for each of the plurality of receivers and for the given field-of-view (FOV) at each of the incremented positions;
• and,
• combining the plurality of respective sub-images to form a composite image of the volume of interest.

A method for imaging an extended volume of interest within a subject using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system comprising:

• translating the subject using a positioing device into an imaging portion of a magnet assembly of the MRI system;
• detecting a plurality of MR signals from a radiofrequency (RF) coil;
• and,
• sending the plurality of MR signals to a plurality of receivers, wherein the receivers are adapted to be adjusted in frequency in response to translation of the positioning device through the magnet assembly and wherein the receivers are adapted to be adjusted in frequency at a rate commensurate with a rate of translation of the positioning device and further adjusting the frequency of each receiver by a measure corresponding to a field-of-view divided by N, a number of receivers.

A method for imaging an extended volume of interest within a subject using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system comprising:

• translating the subject using a positioning device into an imaging portion of a magnet assembly of the MRI system;
• detecting a plurality of MR signals from a radiofrequency (RF) coil;
• and,
• sending the plurality of MR signals to a receiver, wherein the receiver is adapted to be adjusted in frequency in response to translation of the positioning device through the magnet assembly wherein the receivers are adapted to be adjusted in frequency at a rate commensurate with a rate of translation of the positioning device and further adapted to collect image data for a field-of-view corresponding to a useable volume of the magnet assembly;
• processing the MR signals to compute a plurality of respective sub-images for the field-of-view (FOV) at each of a plurality of incremented positions as the subject is translated;
• and,
• combining a central portion or each of the plurality of respective sub-images to form a composite image of the volume of interest.