MRI WITH MAGNET ASSEMBLY ADAPTED FOR CONVENIENT SCANNING OF LABORATORY ANIMALS

• US 20120073511A1
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Aspect Magnet Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: RAPOPORT, Uri, RABINOVITZ, Itzchak
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,363 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/420
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/30 Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/341 comprising surface coils
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/383 using permanent magnets

Abstract

An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device including: at least one inner shaft, and at least one outer shaft, the at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within the at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism; and a distal portion including: a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least outer shaft and the at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism.

Claims

1. An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, comprising:

a proximal portion, held outside a medical device comprising;

at least one inner shaft, and

at least one outer shaft, said at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within said at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism;

a distal portion comprising;

a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), said ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said at least outer shaft and said at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to said longitudinal axis by means of said maneuverable telescopic mechanism,

wherein said proximal portion further comprising indicia indicating a linear displacement and a rotational displacement of said ELSS, such that said ELSS is accurately and reversibly configured within said medical device thereby optimizing animal analyses.

2. The maneuverable AMS of claim 1, further comprising:

a cradle adapted by means of size and geometry to accommodate said animal;

an anaesthetization gas mask (AGM) characterized by a cup having a conic cross section, said AGM comprises a plurality of apertures located on an outer circumference of said cup;

a fluid supplying mechanism (FSM) comprising said AGM, said FSM is in a continuous fluid communication with at least one of the following;

(i) an anaesthetization gas inlet positioned outside the ELSS and an outlet located within the ELSS;

(ii) an air suction scavenging device positioned outside the ELSM and a mask and an air suction outlet located within the ELSS; and

(iii) a plurality of (iii) air conditioning tubes.

an airtight shell enveloping said ELSS;

wherein said airtight ELSM prevents leakage of anaesthetization gas from said ELSM to the outside environment, provides thermal isolation between to the outside environment and the air-conditioned ELSS environment and avoid accidental spillage of hazardous materials.

3. The AMS according to claim 1, wherein said medical device comprises an MRD.

4. The AMS according to claim 1, wherein said AGN, said FSM are adapted by means of size and shape, to ensure anaesthetization of laboratory animals.

5. The AMS according to claim 2, wherein said AGN, said FSM are adapted by means of size and shape, to ensure anaesthetization of laboratory animals.

6. The AMS according to claim 3, wherein said AGN, said FSM are adapted by means of size and shape, to ensure anaesthetization of laboratory animals.

7. A method for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration, comprising:

providing an animal handling system (AMS), comprising;

a proximal portion having at least one inner shaft and at least one outer shaft, said at least one outer shaft is telescopically maneuverable with said at least one inner shaft to provide a telescopic mechanism;

providing said AMS with a distal portion comprising a configurable encapsulable life support system (ELSS), said ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said at least one inner shaft and at least one outer shaft and translationally maneuverable parallel to said longitudinal axis by means of said maneuverable said telescopic mechanism; and

,

providing said proximal portion of said AMS having indicia indicating a linear displacement and a rotational displacement of said ELSS, such that said ELSS is accurately and reversibly configured within said medical device to optimize animal analyses.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said medical device is an MRD.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said AGN and said FSM are adapted by means of size and shape, to ensure anaesthetization of laboratory animals.