SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCAN OPERATIONS FROM WITHIN A SCAN ROOM

• US 20090234218A1
• Filed: 03/11/2008
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ferguson, David B., Washburn, Sheila S., Kularatna, Thisath C., Figueira, Michael R., Callan, Donna M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,687,170 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/410
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0046 Arrangements of imaging apparatus in a room, e.g. room provided with shielding or for improved access to apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/283 Intercom or optical viewing arrangements, structurally associated with NMR apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/543 Control of the operation of the MR system, e.g. setting of acquisition parameters prior to or during MR data acquisition, dynamic shimming, use of one or more scout images for scan plane prescription G01R33/546 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an imaging assembly located in a scan room and a controller coupled to the imaging assembly and located in a separate control room. A display is coupled to the controller and located in the scan room. The display is configured to display at least one graphical user interface relating to the set up of a patient and a scan for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam. An input device is also located in the scan room and is coupled to the display and the controller. The input device is configured to receive data regarding the set up of a patient and a scan for the MRI exam.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam, the method comprising:

receiving information regarding set up of a patient and a scan for the MRI exam using a display and an input device in a scan room of a magnetic resonance imaging system; and

displaying a set of patient and scan data on the display in the scan room based on the received information.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a verification of the set of patient and scan data using the display and input device in the scan room.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes a selection of a patient.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes patient identification information.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes a location of an anatomical landmark.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed set of patient and scan data includes a location of the anatomical landmark.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes a selection of at least one RF coil.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the received information includes a location of the at least one RF coil.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the displayed set of patient and scan data includes a location of the at least one RF coil.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes positional information regarding the patient.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes gating control information.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the received information includes settings for a patient comfort system.

13. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:

an imaging assembly located in a scan room;

a controller coupled to the imaging assembly and located in a separate control room;

a display coupled to the controller and located in the scan room, the display configured to display at least one graphical user interface relating to the set up of a patient and a scan for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam; and

an input device coupled to the display and the controller, the input device located in the scan room and configured to receive data regarding the set up of a patient and a scan for the MRI exam.

14. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one graphical user interface is configured to display a location of an anatomical landmark.

15. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one graphical user interface is configured to display a location of at least one RF coil.

16. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one graphical user interface is configured to display positional information regarding the patient.

17. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one graphical user interface is configured to display gating control information.

18. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one graphical user interface is configured to display settings for a patient comfort system.

19. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one graphical user interface is configured to display a list of patients.

20. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 19, wherein the list of patients includes an emergency patient option.

21. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the display is configured to receive control signals from the controller and the input device.

22. A magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 13, wherein the input device is configured to receive a request for a set of operator instructions regarding a function of the MRI system and the graphical user interface is configured to display the set of operator instructions.

23. A method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the method comprising:

receiving a request for a set of operator instructions regarding a function of the MRI system, the request received using a display and an input device in a scan room of the MRI system; and

displaying the set of operator instructions on the display in the scan room.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the set of operator instructions is a set of instructions for at least one service procedure.

25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising displaying a set of test results generated based on at least one service procedure.