MRI SAFETY DEVICE MEANS AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20140266203A1
• Filed: 07/11/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Inventors: RAPOPORT, Uri
• Granted Patent: US 9,535,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/318
• 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 33/30 Sample handling arrangements, e.g. sample cells, spinning mechanisms

Abstract

A magnetic shielding mechanism for preventing penetration of metallic objects through an aperture, towards the open bore of an magnetic resonance imaging device, where the magnetic field is maximized. The magnetic resonance imaging device produces a fringing magnetic field that decreases with increasing distance (L) from the aperture. The mechanism includes at least one magnet with a magnetic field. The mechanism is affixed at a distance from the aperture of magnetic resonance imaging device.

Claims

1. A magnetic shielding mechanism (MSM) for avoiding penetration of metallic objects throughout an aperture, towards the open bore of an MRI device (MRD), where the magnetic field (B) is maximized;

said MRD produces fringing magnetic field (B_F/L) which decreases with increasing distance (L) from said aperture;

said MSM comprising at least one magnet with a magnetic field B_MSM;

said MSM is affixed at a distance L_MSM from said MRD'"'"'s aperture;

wherein at any distance L, B_MSM>

>

B_F/L.

2. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM is configured as a rim, at least partially encircling said open bore.

3. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM comprises an array of a plurality of magnets disposed along at least a part of the circumference of said rim.

4. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM is in connection with a gantry as configured to reversibly and reciprocally maneuver into and out of said open bore, along the main longitudinal axis of same, wherein said MSM is adapted to one of a group consisting of (i) encircle at least a portion of said gantry, (ii) located in connection to said gantry, (iii) be comprised within or on top at least a portion of said gantry and a combination thereof.

5. The MRD of claim 2, wherein said MSM comprises a plurality of magnets.

6. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said plurality of magnets are provided in an array.

7. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said metallic objects are selected from a group consisting of medical devices, needles and surgical instruments, laboratory items, dress-ware, garments, and foot-ware, ferrous-based materials, nickel alloys and stainless steel of ferritic and martensitic crystalline structure and any combination thereof.

8. The MSM of claim 1, comprising communication means thereby providing a remote connection with an MRD.

9. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM is in connection with an alarming mechanism in communication with at least one MSM, and further wherein at least one MSM is provided in connection to a gate alarming when metallic instrument penetrate via said gate.

10. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM is in connection with an MRD-guard mechanism (GM), said GM is selected from a group consisting of (i) MRD'"'"'s aperture-blocking mechanism, (ii) magnetic field shutter, (iii) one or more MSMs, and a combination thereof, wherein said alarming mechanism in communication with said GM when a metallic instrument penetrate via said gate.

11. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM is in communication with a metal detector.

12. The MSM of claim 1, wherein said MSM is portable.

20. An MRD system, wherein said MRD is in a remote connection with an MSM as defined in claim 1.

21. The MRD system of claim 20, comprising an alarming mechanism in communication with at least one MSM, wherein at least one MSM is provided in connection to a gate alarming when metallic instrument penetrate via said gate.

22. The MRD system of claim 21, further comprising an MRD-guard mechanism (GM), said GM is selected from a group consisting of (i) MRD'"'"'s aperture-blocking mechanism, (ii) magnetic field shutter, (iii) one or more MSMs, and a combination thereof, wherein said alarming mechanism in communication with said GM when a metallic instrument penetrate via said gate.

13. A magnetic resonance device (MRD), comprising one or more magnetic shielding mechanisms (MSMs) for avoiding penetration of metallic objects throughout an aperture, towards the open bore of said MRD where the magnetic field (B) is maximized;

said MRD produces fringing magnetic field (B_F/L) which decreases with increasing distance (L) from said aperture;

wherein said MSM comprising at least one magnet with a magnetic field B_MSM;

wherein said MSM is affixed at a distance L_MSM from said MRD'"'"'s aperture; and

further wherein at any distance L, B_MSM>

>

B_F/L.

14. The MRD of claim 13, wherein said MSM is configured as a rim, at least partially encircling said open bore.

15. The MRD of claim 13, wherein said MSM comprises an array of a plurality of magnets disposed along at least a part of the circumference of said rim.

16. The MRD of claim 13, additionally comprising a gantry configured to reversibly reciprocally maneuver into and out of said open bore, along the main longitudinal axis of the same, wherein said MSM is adapted to one of a group consisting of (i) encircle at least a portion of said gantry, (ii) located in connection to said gantry, (iii) be comprised within or on top at least a portion of said gantry and a combination thereof.

17. The MRD of claim 13, wherein said MSM comprises a plurality of magnets.

18. The MRD of claim 17, wherein said plurality of magnets are provided in an array.

19. The MRD of claim 13, wherein said metallic objects are selected from a group consisting of medical devices, needles and surgical instruments, laboratory items, dress-ware, garments, and foot-ware, ferrous-based materials, nickel alloys and stainless steel of ferritic and martensitic crystalline structure and any combination thereof.

23. The MRD of claim 13, wherein said MSM is in communication with a metal detector.

24. The MRD of claim 13, wherein said MSM is portable.