PROTECTIVE COVER FOR MRI

• US 20140117989A1
• Filed: 05/28/2013
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Inventors: RAPOPORT, Uri
• Granted Patent: US 9,562,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/322
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/422 of the radio frequency field

Abstract

A protective cover for an open bore MRI is disclosed. The cover comprises a semi-permeable barrier, MRI shielding, and physical shielding; is at least partially transparent; and it comprises fluid connection means for providing a fluid connection between an inner open bore of said open bore MRI and an environment external to said open bore MRI.

Claims

1. A protective cover for an open bore MRI, said cover characterized in that:

a. it comprises a semi-permeable barrier, MRI shielding, and physical shielding;

b. it is at least partially transparent; and

,

c. it comprises fluid connection means for providing a fluid connection between an inner open bore of said open bore MRI and an environment external to said open bore MRI.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said semi-permeable barrier is made at least partially of connected strands of flexible or ductile material.

3. The cover according to claim 2, wherein said flexible or ductile material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal and fiber.

4. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said semi-permeable barrier is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of copper, paramagnetic materials, ferromagnetic materials, and any combination thereof.

5. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said semi-permeable barrier has a structure of a mesh, a web or a net.

6. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is transparent.

7. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said MRI shielding is an RF shielding type.

8. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is configured such that when said cover is in place, an opening of said open bore MRI is completely covered by said cover.

9. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises attaching means matching corresponding attaching means on said open bore MRI, thereby functioning as a door for opening and closing said open bore MRI.

10. The cover according to claim 9, wherein said attaching means are configured such that upon opening, said cover remains attached to said open bore MRI.

11. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover has a shape selected from the group consisting of:

tubular, cone shaped, cup shaped, cylindrical, sleeve like, and hollow with a perimeter configured to match an bore of said open bore MRI and an internal shape configured to match an object placed within.

12. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover has a shape which can be mated to an incubator within said open bore MRI.

13. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises a ring frame disposed about the perimeter of said cover.

14. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic shielding extends over an area at least equal to an open area of said open bore.

15. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is rotatable.