Radio frequency shield for nuclear magnetic resonance procedures

• US 20040194989A1
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Veterinary Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Veterinary Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Helpern, Joseph A., Branch, Craig A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,486,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/363
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/422 of the radio frequency field

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing RF shielding for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) procedures, comprising a radio-opaque holder in combination with radio-opaque magnet components to form an RF shield around a patient undergoing an NMR procedure. In embodiments, a radio-opaque holder having a radio-opaque bottom portion and a radio-opaque canopy is adjoined to an NMR magnet having a radio-opaque cryostat and a radio-opaque service end cap to form an RF shield. A patient is placed on a patient support unit located in the holder bottom portion. The patient support unit, including the patient, is then inserted into the cavity of the NMR magnet and a canopy is placed on top of the bottom portion of the holder. An RF shield is thus created comprising the canopy, the bottom portion, the cryostat of the magnet, and an end cap on the service end of the magnet.

Claims

1. A method of providing RF shielding for a patient comprising:

placing the patient on a holder, the holder comprising RF shielding configured for forming a substantially complete RF shield around the patient when the holder is adjoined to the cavity of a magnet associated with magnet-RF-shielding; and

adjoining the holder to the cavity of the magnet.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing an RF shield over the service end of the magnet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a bottom portion comprising RF shielding.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the holder further comprises a canopy comprising RF shielding.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the holder further comprises a patient end cap comprising RF shielding.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the canopy removably attaches to the bottom portion.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the patient end cap removably attaches to the bottom portion or is integral to the bottom portion.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the patient end cap comprises apertures.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the bottom portion comprises apertures.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnet-RF-shielding comprises a service end cap.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnet-RF-shielding further comprises a cryostat.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the magnet-RF-shielding further comprises an RF shield liner configured to combine with the service end cap and the holder-RF-shielding to form a substantially complete RF shield.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising a positioning means attached to the holder.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the positioning means comprises a support configured to support the holder and means for locomotion.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the means for locomotion comprises wheels.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the means for locomotion comprises rollers.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the holder further comprises a patient support unit.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF transmitter antenna and an RF receiver antenna.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF coil.

20. The method of claim 1, where the patient is an animal.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the patient support unit comprises a support configured to hold an animal.

22. The method of claim 1, where the patient is human.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the patient support unit comprises a support configured to hold a human.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the support is adapted to hold an animal in an inverted position.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein a cross section of the support is configured substantially to match the curvature of an animal'"'"'s spine.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein a cross section of the support is substantially U-shaped.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein a cross section of the support is substantially V-shaped.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the patient support unit comprises straps for holding an animal.