Microscope for MRI and support stand for MRI

• US 20010038489A1
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Published: 11/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Nakamura, Katsushige, Nakamura, Masakazu, Doi, Masao
• Granted Patent: US 6,563,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00911 for fields applied by a magnetic resonance imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/20 Surgical microscopes characterised by non-optical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/25 Supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0004 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0012 Surgical microscopes counterbalanced structures for surgical microscopes G02B7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/001 Counterbalanced structures, e.g. surgical microscopes

Abstract

A microscope suitable for use together with MRI, and a support stand for the microscope are provided. A microscope 1 is a non-magnet type where any electric motor is not used, and hence does not induce fluctuations of magnetic field having effects on image quality of an MRI 3 by focusing or zooming. Hence, the microscope of the invention is suitable for use together with MRI 13. Since a clutch C is of non-magnet type, a support stand 2 does not induce changes in the surrounding magnetic field environments if the clutch is operated, and hence it is suitable for use, for example, in proximity to the MRI.

Claims

1. A microscope used in a room an MRI is installed, wherein

manipulation of said microscope is controlled by driving of an actuator which does not generate magnetic field.

2. The microscope according to

claim 1

, wherein

manipulation of said microscope is handling of a focusing mechanism and a zooming mechanism, and the actuator is an air motor.

3. The microscope according to

claim 1

, wherein

manipulation of said microscope includes operations of focusing mechanism and a zooming mechanism, and the actuator is an air motor;

and

said focusing mechanism and zooming mechanism can be controlled by manual operation in case of emergency.

4. The microscope according to

claim 2

or

3

, wherein

said microscope is formed of non-magnetic material.

5. The microscope according to claims 2 or 3, wherein

a flexible tube is connected to an exhaust port of the air motor.

6. The microscope according to claims 2 or 3, wherein

said air motor comprises:

a housing formed with a hollow space;

a turbine accommodated in said hollow space, said turbine being accommodated rotatably in said hollow space;

an gas feed port formed in said housing, gas being supplied towards the turbine from said gas feed port and exhausted, said turbine rotating according to a gas feed direction; and

a brake pad contacting with said turbine with a predetermined urging force, said brake pad departing from said turbine to be in non-contact state by application of exhausted gas pressure.

7. A support stand used in a room an MRI is installed comprising:

two or more support arms;

at least one rotary shaft for pivoting said support arms to each other; and

a clutch which does not generate magnetic field, for locking or releasing said rotary shaft.

8. The support stand according to

claim 7

, wherein

said clutch is an air clutch.

9. The support stand according to

claim 8

,

wherein

a tube for supplying air in and exhausting air from said air clutch is disposed in the support arm.

10. The support stand according to

claim 8

, wherein

said support stand supports a microscope for controlling a focusing mechanism and a zooming mechanism by means of an air motor.

11. The support stand of any one according to

claims 8

to

10

, wherein

said support stand is formed of non-magnetic material.

12. A microscope used in a static magnetic field environment comprising:

an actuator which does not generate magnetic field, said actuator being driven for controlling a focusing mechanism and a zooming mechanism of said microscope, wherein

said focusing mechanism and zooming mechanism can be controlled by manual operation in case of emergency.