Local coil array for magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremities

Claim 1

A local coil for acquiring NMR signals produced by excited spins in the legs of a patient, the combination comprising: a central coil disposed in a first plane and positioned between the patient's legs, and extending along the lengthwise dimension of the legs, the central coil being operable to produce a signal in response to NMR signals emanating from the legs; a first flange coil disposed in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane and positioned to extend over the top of both of the patient's legs, and extending along the lengthwise dimension substantially coextensively with the central coil, the first flange coil being operable to produce a second signal in response to NMR signals emanating from the patient's leg; a second flange coil disposed in a third plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane and positioned to extend beneath both of the patient's legs, and extending along the lengthwise dimension substantially coextensively with the central coil, the second flange coil being operable to produce a third signal in response to NMR signals emanating from the patient's legs; and means for combining the signals acquired from said three coils to produce an image of the patient's leg.