MULTIPLE-REGION GRADIENT ARRAYS FOR EXTENDED FIELD OF VIEW IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

摘要

A magnetic resonance imaging system having an array of coil assemblies (132) that produce a plurality of gradient regions (140). Systems and methods for formation of a plurality of regions (140) having relatively high performance field gradients are disclosed. Each region can be dimensioned in a manageable manner so that the field gradient therein allows high performance imaging while not being substantially subjected to some design-limiting factors such as gradient amplitude, gradient switching rate, and power requirement. Such manageable gradient regions (140) can be arranged to form an array having an extended field of view that is larger than that of conventional MRI system having similar performance gradients.