An apparatus and method for use in medical imaging simulate within an
imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve
imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in
which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body
parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range
of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different
positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show
the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement
with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial
relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field. The systems
may be provided as mechanisms usable with existing imaging tables to
reduce cost, or may be built into a new imaging table. It is possible to
use a larger primary coil, allowing increased range of movement. Traction
may be applied to a joint being imaged, in order to load the joint.
