Enhancement magnetizer for magnetic resonance imaging screening
First Claim
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1. A method for enhancing the magnetization of a subject to be scanned for localized magnetic fields indicating the presence of ferromagnetic threat objects, the enhancement method comprising:
- providing at least one magnet generating at least one magnetic field having an axis;
orienting said axis of said at least one magnetic field in at least one selected direction relative to a subject to be scanned; and
positioning said at least one magnet in close proximity to at least one portion of said subject to be scanned, to thereby magnetize any ferromagnetic threat object which may be present on said at least one portion of said subject, prior to scanning said subject.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for enhancing detection of a ferromagnetic threat object by magnetizing the threat object with a separate magnetic field, prior to scanning of the subject by a ferromagnetic-detecting sensor system.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing the magnetization of a subject to be scanned for localized magnetic fields indicating the presence of ferromagnetic threat objects, the enhancement method comprising:
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providing at least one magnet generating at least one magnetic field having an axis;
orienting said axis of said at least one magnetic field in at least one selected direction relative to a subject to be scanned; and
positioning said at least one magnet in close proximity to at least one portion of said subject to be scanned, to thereby magnetize any ferromagnetic threat object which may be present on said at least one portion of said subject, prior to scanning said subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for enhancing the magnetization of a subject to be scanned for localized magnetic fields indicating the presence of ferromagnetic threat objects, the enhancement method comprising:
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providing at least one magnet, each said magnet generating a magnetic field having an axis;
positioning said at least one magnet in a first position in close proximity to at least one portion of a subject to be scanned;
orienting said axis of said magnetic field of said at least one magnet in a first selected direction, in said first position;
positioning said at least one magnet in a second position in close proximity to said at least one portion of a subject to be scanned;
orienting said axis of said magnetic field of said at least one magnet in a second selected direction orthogonal to said first selected direction, in said second position;
positioning said at least one magnet in a third position in close proximity to said at least one portion of a subject to be scanned; and
orienting said axis of said magnetic field of said at least one magnet in a third selected direction orthogonal to said first and second selected directions, in said third position;
thereby magnetizing any ferromagnetic threat object present, along said three mutually orthogonal selected directions, prior to scanning said subject.
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9. An apparatus for enhancing the magnetization of a subject to be scanned for localized magnetic fields indicating the presence of ferromagnetic threat objects, the enhancement apparatus comprising:
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at least one magnet generating at least one magnetic field having a vector axis; and
means for positioning said at least one magnetic in close proximity to a portion of a subject to be scanned and for aligning said vector axis of said at least one magnetic field in three mutually orthogonal selected directions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification