Magnetic resonance imaging system and method

1. A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:

a stationary electromagnet;

a patient support located adjacent to the electromagnet, the support configured for maintaining a patient in a standing position; and

an actuator for raising and lowering the patient support and patient relative to a magnetic field of the electromagnet such that the patient is located within the magnetic field.

2. A magnetic resonance imaging system as defined in claim 1 further including at least one positioning fixture connected with the patient support for maintaining the patient in the standing position.

3. A magnetic resonance imaging system as defined in claim 2 further including at least one secondary coil positioned within the magnetic field of the stationary electromagnet.

4. A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:

a stationary electromagnet having a longitudinal axis extending generally vertical;

a patient support located adjacent to the electromagnet for maintaining a patient in a seated position; and

an actuator for raising and lowering the patient support and patient relative to a magnetic field of the electromagnet such that the patient is located within the magnetic field.

5. A magnetic resonance imaging system as defined in claim 4 further including at least one positioning fixture connected with the patient support for maintaining the patient in the seated position.

6. A magnetic resonance imaging system as defined in claim 5 further including at least one secondary coil positioned within the magnetic field of the stationary electromagnet.

7. An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of a joint of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a stationary electromagnet;

a patient support located adjacent the electromagnet, the support configured for maintaining a patient in a standing position, whereby a first force is applied to the joint;

at least one positioning fixture connected with the patient support for holding the joint of the patient; and

an actuator for raising and lowering the patient support and patient relative to a magnetic field of the electromagnet such that the joint of the patient is located within the magnetic field.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 further including means for applying a second force to the joint.

9. An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of a joint of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a stationary electromagnet having a longitudinal axis extending generally vertical;

a patient support locate adjacent to the electromagnet for maintaining a patient in a seated position, whereby a first force is applied to the joint;

at least one positioning fixture connected with the patient support for holding the joint of the patient; and

an actuator for raising and lowering the patient support and patient relative to a magnetic field of the electromagnet such that the joint of the patient is located within the magnetic field.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means for applying a second force to the joint.

11. An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of a spine of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a stationary electromagnet;

a patient support located adjacent to the electromagnet, the support configured for maintaining a patient in a standing position, whereby a first force is applied to the spine;

at least one positioning fixture connected with the patient support for holding the spine of the patient; and

an actuator for raising and lowering the patient support and patient relative to a magnetic field of the electromagnet such that the spine of the patient is located within the magnetic field.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 further including means for applying a second force to the spine.

13. An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of a spine of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a stationary electromagnet having a longitudinal axis extending generally vertical;

a patient support located adjacent to the electromagnet for maintaining a patient in a seated position, whereby a first force is applied to the spine;

at least one positioning fixture connected with the patient support for holding the spine of the patient; and

an actuator for raising and lowering the patient support and patient relative to a magnetic field of the electromagnet such that the spine of the patient is located within the magnetic field.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 further including means for applying a second force to the spine.

15. A method for magnetic resonance imaging, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a patient against a patient support configured for maintaining the patient in a standing position;

moving the patient into a magnetic field of a stationary electromagnet; and

imaging the patient with the electromagnet.

16. A method as defined in claim 15 further including the step of using at least one positioning fixture to maintain the patient in a generally fixed position before imaging the patient with the electromagnet.

17. A method as defined in claim 15 wherein the step of imaging the patient with the electromagnet includes imaging the patient with the stationary electromagnet and a secondary coil.

18. A method for magnetic resonance imaging, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a patient against a patient support such that the patient is maintained in a seated position;

moving the patient into a magnetic field of a stationary electromagnet having a longitudinal axis extending generally vertical; and

imaging the patient with the electromagnet.

19. A method as defined in claim 18 further including the step of using at least one positioning fixture to maintain the patient in a generally fixed position before imaging the patient with the electromagnet.

20. A method as defined in claim 18 wherein the step of imaging the patient with the electromagnet includes imaging the patient with the stationary electromagnet and a secondary coil.