MRI probe for external imaging

摘要

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe having an external background magnetic field Bo is described. The probe has a primary magnet having a longitudinal axis and an external surface extending in the axial direction and a rf coil surrounding and proximal to the surface. The magnet provides a Bo field having an external region of substantial homogeneity proximal to the surface. Preferably, the Bo field is provided by two magnets spaced axially and in axial alignment and wherein said region of homogeneity intersects a plane located between the magnets and perpendicular to the axis. For MR imaging, surrounding the primary magnet are r-, z- and +526 -gradient coils to provide spatial encoding fields.