A magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a phased array coil assembly and
a signal processing circuit. The phased array coil assembly includes a plurality
of coils coextensively covering a predetermined area. Each of the plurality of
coils comprises a different number of loops over the predetermined area and divides
the predetermined area into at least three contiguous regions arranged linearly
along the predetermined area. The signal processing circuit is coupled to the phased
array coil assembly for receiving a plurality of magnetic resonance signals detected
by the plurality of coils. The signal processing circuit is configured to localize
the plurality of magnetic resonance signals originating in at least one of the
contiguous regions.
