Radio frequency shield for nuclear magnetic resonance procedures

• US 20050027189A1
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Veterinary Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Veterinary Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Helpern, Joseph A., Branch, Craig A.
• Application Number:
  US10/826,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20050027189A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/410
• 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. An apparatus for use in RF shielding, comprising:

a holder comprising RF shielding and configured for forming a substantially complete RF shield when the holder is adjoined to the cavity of a magnet associated with magnet-RF-shielding.

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

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the holder further comprises a canopy comprising RF shielding.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the holder further comprises a patient end cap comprising RF shielding.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the canopy removably attaches to the bottom portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottom portion comprises apertures.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the patient end cap comprises apertures.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a positioning means attached to the holder.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the positioning means comprises a support configured to support the holder and means for locomotion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for locomotion comprises wheels.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for locomotion comprises rollers.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a patient support unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF transmitter antenna and an RF receiver antenna.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF coil.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the patient support unit comprises a support configured to hold an animal.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the patient support unit comprises a support configured to hold a human.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the support is configured to hold an animal in an inverted position.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a cross section of the support is configured to substantially match the curvature of an animal'"'"'s spine.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a cross section of the support is substantially U-shaped.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a cross section of the support is substantially V-shaped.

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

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the patient support unit comprises an RF coil.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the RF coil comprises a non-planar coil.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a cross section of the RF coil substantially matches a cross section of the support.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the RF coil comprises a plurality of loops.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the RF coil comprises an upper RF coil connected to a lower RF coil.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the RF coil is movable.

28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the patient support unit comprises straps for holding an animal.