MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises static magnetic field generating means for generating a static magnetic field in an imaging space, a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating a gradient magnetic field in the imaging space, high-frequency magnetic field generating means for generating a high-frequency magnetic field so as to induce nuclear magnetic resonance in a subject placed in the imaging space, signal receiving means for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from the subject, signal processing means for reconstructing an image by using the detected nuclear magnetic resonance signal, display means for displaying the image, a table for placing the subject thereon to dispose the subject in the imaging means, and table moving means for moving the table on which the subject is placed.While moving the portions to be imaged of the subject continuously or stepwise in the imaging space and disposing the subject, a whole-body image of a large region of the subject is created.The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus further comprises means for detecting information on the displacement of the subject from a desired position and setting means for setting movement information on the table according to the displacement information.The table moving means moves the table according to the movement information set by the setting means to capture the whole-body image.