Electricity: measuring and testing – Particle precession resonance – Spectrometer components
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-23
2001-09-25
Patidar, Jay (Department: 2862)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Particle precession resonance
Spectrometer components
C324S319000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294915
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and more particularly to a system and method for aligning a patient in an open magnet MRI.
In open magnet magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is critical to position a patient such that the specific area to be scanned is positioned centrally within the field-of-view (FOV) of the MRI device. This is so because such open magnet MRI devices are constructed with relatively low magnetic induction permanent magnets. Typically the FOV imaging area is no more than approximately 40 cm. In order to acquire a quality image from a limited FOV, it is desirable to have the desired patient scan area centrally located within the FOV.
In order to locate the desired scan area within the FOV, prior art devices have used an alignment light on the outer periphery of the MRI housing to align a patient before entering the MRI. In operation, the MRI operator turns on the alignment light and manually positions the patient such that the light is directed to the area that the MRI operator desires to acquire an MRI scan. An automated moveable patient table then automatically moves the patient into the open magnet MRI a given distance as defined by the position of the exterior alignment light to the center of the FOV. Once an initial scan is taken, and the MRI operator determines that the patient is not properly positioned from reviewing the initial scan, the patient is withdrawn from the MRI device and realigned using the exterior light and the MRI image as reference points.
Such realignment techniques are time consuming and are an annoyance to patients. Therefore, it would be desirable to have an interior alignment light to indicate the center of the FOV without having to withdraw the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for repositioning a patient within an open magnet MRI and an interior positioning light for use in open magnet MRI devices that overcomes the aforementioned problems.
A patient positioning device is disclosed for use in open magnet MRI having a moveable patient table to move a patient within the open magnet MRI in order to position a desired patient scan area accurately within the FOV of the open magnet MRI. A first alignment light is located on the outer periphery of the upper magnetic structure of the open MRI to emit a light beam in longitudinal alignment with a center point of the FOV. A second alignment light is positioned to emit a second light beam downwardly from the upper magnetic structure to indicate an interior reference point of the FOV. The second alignment light is then used to reposition a patient within the open magnet MRI without having to withdraw the patient from the open magnet MRI.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a patient positioning device for use in medical imaging of patients has a medical imaging housing accepting therein a moveable table for placement thereon of a patient. An interior alignment light emitting an interior light beam toward a patient on the moveable table within the housing is provided to align a desired scan area of the patient within a scanning region for medical imaging of the desired scan area.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an open magnet MRI is disclosed having a moveable patient table to move a patient within an open magnet MRI in order to position a desired patient scan area within the FOV of the open magnet MRI. The open magnet MRI has an upper magnetic structure and a lower magnetic structure. The moveable patient table moves fore and aft within a gap formed between the upper and lower magnetic structures. The upper magnetic structure has a first alignment light source mounted on an outer periphery to emit a light beam in longitudinal alignment within a center point of the FOV. A second alignment light source is positioned to emit a second light beam downwardly from the upper magnetic structure to indicate an interior reference point of the FOV.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method of accurate patient placement is described for use in an MRI device and includes the steps of placing a patient on a moveable table, positioning the moveable table into the MRI device, and repositioning the patient table within the MRI device based on a beam of light emitting from within the MRI device to denote a location of the FOV without withdrawing the patient.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4538289 (1985-08-01), Scheibengraber
patent: 4841967 (1989-06-01), Chang et al.
patent: 5769787 (1998-06-01), Limelson
patent: 6049208 (2000-04-01), Takekoshi et al.
patent: 44 40 225 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 0 373 000 (1990-06-01), None
patent: 0 577 001 (1994-01-01), None
Keen Bobby Glenn
Murphy Lawrence E.
Cabou Christian G.
Fetzner Tiffany A.
General Electric Company
Patidar Jay
Price Phyllis Y.
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