MRD ASSEMBLY OF SCANNER AND CART

• US 20160081582A1
• Filed: 05/21/2014
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
• Inventors: RAPOPORT, Uri
• Application Number:
  US14/892,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20160081582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00911 for fields applied by a magnetic resonance imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/045 Newborns, e.g. premature baby monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/00 Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body heating or cooling means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses A47C21/00 ; massage, therapeutic baths A61H; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields or ultrasound A61N; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/002 height-adjustable patient support
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/005 with movable walls, e.g. for accessing the inside, removable walls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/02 Adjustable operating tables; Controls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/104 Adaptations for table mobility, e.g. arrangement of wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/34 Constructional details, e.g. resonators , specially adapted to MR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3806 Open magnet assemblies for improved access to the sample, e.g. C-type or U-type magnets

Abstract

A magnetic resonance system (MRS), including a magnetic resonance device (MRD), comprising an open bore, the MRD at least partially contained in an envelope comprising in its circumference at least one recess; and, a cart made of MRI-safe material, comprising a base and at least one incubator above the base. The MRS is operative in a method of magnetic resonance imaging of neonates, comprising the steps of obtaining the MRS, the incubator is accommodated by a neonate; and inserting at least a portion of the cart into the MRD such that at least a portion of the incubator is inserted into the open bore and at least a portion of the base into at least one recess.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance system (MRS), useful for imaging a patient, comprising an open bore magnetic resonance device (MRD), at least partially contained in an envelope comprising in its circumference at least one recess;

and, an MRI-safe cart made of MRI-safe material, comprising a substantially horizontal base and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above said base, said base and said incubator are interconnected by at least one pillar;

at least a portion of said cart and said MRD are configured to fit together such that at least a portion of said incubator is reversibly housed within said MRD open bore, and at least a portion of said base is reversibly housed within said at least one recess;

wherein said MRS is operative in a method of magnetic resonance imaging of neonates, comprising the steps of obtaining said MRS, housing a neonate within said incubator;

inserting at least a portion of said cart into said MRD such that at least a portion of said incubator is inserted into said open bore and at least a portion of said base into at least one recess and then imaging said neonate, housed within said incubator, thereby providing single step housing of said neonate namely before and during said imaging.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. sealingly enclosing said open bore when accepting at least a portion of said incubator within said MRD open bore;

b. selecting said cart'"'"'s base having a recess, and accepting at least a portion of said MRD within said cart base recess;

c. selecting said cart base having at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be reversibly housed at least partially into or under said MRD, and housing at least a portion of said protrusion within or under said MRD; and

,

d. selecting said MRD having a sliding mechanism in the longitudinal axis of said bore, and sliding said cart along said mechanism, thereby housing at least a portion of said cart within said MRD.

3. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising a step of selecting said cart having a reversibly collapsible column, useful for supporting said incubator, comprising an elongated member having at least two opposite ends, said column is selected from at least one member of a group consisting of:

a. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to said incubator, at least one said second end reversibly connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof; and

,

b. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof, at least one said second end reversibly connected to said incubator;

at least a portion of said column is reversibly collapsible when said cart is at least partially intercepted within a selected from a group consisting of;

said MRD, a storage apparatus, a transport device, a treatment table, an imaging apparatus, and any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. selecting said column configured to be normally deployed;

b. reversibly collapsing said column upon application of horizontal force in the axis of said at least partial housing of said cart within said MRD;

c. reversibly collapsing said column at least partially into or onto an element selected from a group consisting of;

said base, said upper tray, said pillar, or any combination thereof, when said cart is at least partially intercepted within said MRD; and

,

d. selecting said column made of MRI-safe material.

5. A magnetic resonance device (MRD), useful for imaging a patient, at least partially contained in an envelope comprising an open bore, and at least one recess in the circumference of said envelope;

said MRD is configured to fit at least partially an MRI safe cart, made of MRI-safe material, comprising a substantially horizontal base, and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above said base, interconnected by at least one pillar such that at least a portion of said cart'"'"'s incubator is reversibly housed within said MRD, and at least a portion of said cart'"'"'s base is reversibly housed within said at least one recess;

wherein said MRD is operative in a method of magnetic resonance imaging of neonates, comprising the steps of obtaining said MRD and said cart, housing a neonate within said incubator;

inserting at least a portion of said cart into said MRD such that at least a portion of said incubator is inserted into said open bore and at least a portion of said base into at least one recess and then imaging said neonate, housed within said incubator, thereby providing single step housing of said neonate, accommodated within said cart, at least partially within said MRD.

6. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. sealingly enclosing said open bore when accepting at least a portion of said incubator within said MRD open bore;

b. selecting said cart'"'"'s base having a recess, and accepting at least a portion of said MRD within said cart base recess;

c. selecting said cart base having at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be reversibly housed at least partially into or under said MRD, and housing at least a portion of said protrusion within or under said MRD; and

,

d. selecting said MRD having a sliding mechanism in the longitudinal axis of said bore, and sliding said cart along said mechanism, thereby housing at least a portion of said cart within said MRD.

7. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising a step of selecting said cart having a reversibly collapsible column, useful for supporting said incubator, comprising an elongated member having at least two opposite ends, said column is selected from at least one member of a group consisting of:

a. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to said incubator, at least one said second end reversibly connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof; and

,

b. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof, at least one said second end reversibly connected to said incubator;

at least a portion of said column is reversibly collapsible when said cart is at least partially intercepted within a selected from a group consisting of;

said MRD, a storage apparatus, a transport device, a treatment table, an imaging apparatus, and any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. selecting said column configured to be normally deployed;

b. reversibly collapsing said column upon application of horizontal force in the axis of said at least partial housing of said cart within said MRD;

c. reversibly collapsing said column at least partially into or onto an element selected from a group consisting of;

said base, said upper tray, said pillar, or any combination thereof, when said cart is at least partially intercepted within said MRD; and

,

d. selecting said column made of MRI-safe material.

9. An MRI-safe cart, made of MRI-safe material, useful for imaging a patient with an open bore magnetic resonance device (MRD), at least partially contained in an envelope, and at least one recess in the circumference of said envelope;

said MRI-safe cart comprising a substantially horizontal base and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above said base, said base and said incubator are interconnected by at least one pillar;

at least a portion of said cart is configured to fit said MRD, such that at least a portion of said cart'"'"'s incubator is reversibly housed within said MRD, and at least a portion of said cart'"'"'s base is reversibly housed within said at least one recess;

wherein said MRI-safe cart is operative in a method of magnetic resonance imaging of neonates, comprising steps of obtaining said MRD and said cart;

housing a neonate within said incubator;

inserting at least a portion of said cart into said MRD such that at least a portion of said incubator is inserted into said open bore and at least a portion of said base into at least one recess, and imaging the neonate within said open bore and said incubator, thereby providing single step housing of said neonate, accommodated within said cart, at least partially within said MRD.

10. The method of claim 9, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. sealingly enclosing said open bore when accepting at least a portion of said incubator within said MRD open bore;

b. selecting said cart'"'"'s base having a recess, and accepting at least a portion of said MRD within said cart base recess;

c. selecting said cart base having at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be reversibly housed at least partially into or under said MRD, and housing at least a portion of said protrusion within or under said MRD; and

,

d. selecting said MRD having a sliding mechanism in the longitudinal axis of said bore, and sliding said cart along said mechanism, thereby housing at least a portion of said cart within said MRD.

11. The method of claim 9, additionally comprising a step of selecting said cart having a reversibly collapsible column, useful for supporting said incubator, comprising an elongated member having at least two opposite ends, said column is selected from at least one member of a group consisting of:

a. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to said incubator, at least one said second end reversibly connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof; and

,

b. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof, at least one said second end reversibly connected to said incubator;

at least a portion of said column is reversibly collapsible when said cart is at least partially intercepted within a selected from a group consisting of;

said MRD, a storage apparatus, a transport device, a treatment table, an imaging apparatus, and any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. selecting said column configured to be normally deployed;

b. reversibly collapsing said column upon application of horizontal force in the axis of said at least partial housing of said cart within said MRD;

c. reversibly collapsing said column at least partially into or onto an element selected from a group consisting of;

said base, said upper tray, said pillar, or any combination thereof, when said cart is at least partially intercepted within said MRD; and

,

d. selecting said column made of MRI-safe material.

13. A method for manufacturing a collapsible column, useful for supporting an incubator of an MRI-safe cart, comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining an MRI-safe cart, made of MRI-safe material, comprising a substantially horizontal base, and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above said base, interconnected by at least one pillar,

b. forming a reversibly collapsible column, comprising an elongated member having at least two opposite ends; and

,

c. connecting said reversibly collapsible column,

wherein said column is selected from at least one member of a group consisting of;

a. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to said incubator, at least one said second end reversibly connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof; and

,

b. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof, at least one said second end reversibly connected to said incubator; and

further wherein at least a portion of said column is reversibly collapsible when said cart is at least partially intercepted within a selected from a group consisting of;

a magnetic resonance device (MRD), a storage apparatus, a transport device, a treatment table, an imaging apparatus, and any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. forming said column from MRI-safe material; and

,

b. configuring said column to be normally deployed.

15. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising a step of selecting said cart, configured to be at least partly inserted into an MRD, at least partially contained in an envelope comprising an open bore, and at least one recess in the circumference of said envelope, such that at least a portion of said incubator is reversibly housed within said MRD open bore, and at least a portion of said base is reversibly housed within said at least one recess.

16. The method of claim 15, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. configuring said column to reversibly collapse upon application of horizontal force in the axis of said at least partial housing of said cart within said MRD; and

,

b. configuring said column to reversibly collapse at least partially into or onto an element selected from a group consisting of;

said base, said incubator, said pillar, or any combination thereof, when said cart is at least partially intercepted within an MRD.

17. A method for manufacturing a magnetic resonance system (MRS), useful for imaging a patient, comprising the following steps:

a. constructing a magnetic resonance device (MRD), at least partially contained in an envelope comprising an open bore, and forming at least one recess in the circumference of said envelope; and

,

b. constructing an MRI-safe cart, made of MRI-safe material, comprising a substantially horizontal base and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above said base, and interconnecting therebetween by at least one pillar,

wherein at least a portion of said cart and said MRD are configured to fit together such that at least a portion of said incubator is reversibly housed within said MRD open bore, and further wherein at least a portion of said base is reversibly housed within said at least one recess.

18. The method of claim 17, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. configuring said incubator to sealingly enclose said open bore when accepting at least a portion of said incubator within said MRD open bore;

b. forming said cart'"'"'s base having a recess, configured to accept at least a portion of said MRD within said cart base recess;

c. forming said cart base having at least one protrusion sized and shaped to be reversibly housed at least partially into or under said MRD, thereby enabling housing at least a portion of said protrusion within or under said MRD; and

,

d. connecting a sliding mechanism to said MRD in the longitudinal axis of said bore, configured to enable sliding said cart along said mechanism, thereby housing at least a portion of said cart within said MRD.

19. The method of claim 17, additionally comprising a step of forming a reversibly collapsible column, useful for supporting said incubator, comprising an elongated member having at least two opposite ends, said column is selected from at least one member of a group consisting of:

a. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to said incubator, at least one said second end reversibly connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof; and

,

b. at least one said first end is maneuverably connected to a selected from a group consisting of;

said cart base, said cart pillar, a storage unit, a transport device, a wall, the floor, an imaging apparatus, a treatment table, and any combination thereof, at least one said second end reversibly connected to said incubator;

at least a portion of said column is reversibly collapsible when said cart is at least partially intercepted within a selected from a group consisting of;

said MRD, a storage apparatus, a transport device, a treatment table, an imaging apparatus, and any combination thereof; and

connecting said column to said cart.

20. The method of claim 19, additionally comprising at least one of the following steps:

a. forming said column configured to be normally deployed;

b. configuring said column to reversibly collapse upon application of horizontal force in the axis of said at least partial housing of said cart within said MRD;

c. forming said column from MRI-safe material; and

,

d. configuring said column to reversibly collapse at least partially into or onto an element selected from a group consisting of;

said base, said upper tray, said pillar, or any combination thereof, when said cart is at least partially intercepted within said MRD.

21. A standard of care protocol for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients, comprising steps of:

a. obtaining a magnetic resonance system (MRS), useful for imaging a patient, comprising an open bore magnetic resonance device (MRD) for imaging a patient, at least partially contained in an envelope comprising in its circumference at least one recess; and

, an MRI-safe cart made of MRI-safe material, comprising a substantially horizontal base and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above said base, said base and said incubator are interconnected by at least one pillar;

at least a portion of said cart and said MRD are configured to fit together such that at least a portion of said incubator is reversibly housed within said MRD open bore, and at least a portion of said base is reversibly housed within said at least one recess;

said incubator is accommodated by a neonate; and

,

b. inserting at least a portion of said cart into said MRD such that at least a portion of said incubator is inserted into said open bore and at least a portion of said base into at least one recess, and imaging the neonate within said open bore and said incubator, thereby providing single step housing of said neonate, accommodated within said cart, at least partially within said MRD,

wherein at least one of the following is held true;

a. the sound pressure measured in said life supporting incubator does not exceed a maximum level of 60 dB; and

, the sound level in the inner volume of said life supporting incubator compartment would be at least 10 dB lower than the sound level outside this compartment;

b. the average value of salivary cortisol level index from noise derived stress of patient when utilizing said MRS during MRI is n times lower than the average said value during MRI;

n is equal or greater than 1.05;

c. the average number of movements per minute of patient when utilizing said MRS during MRI is m times lower than the average number of movements per minute of said patient;

m is equal or greater than 1.05;

d. the average number of MRI repetition number per patient is p times lower when utilizing said MRS than the average number of MRI repetitions during MRI of patients;

p is equal or greater than 1.05;

e. the average value of salivary cortisol level index from open space related stress of patient when utilizing said MRS during imaging is q times lower than the average said value during MRI;

q is equal or greater than 1.05;

f. the temperature of the inner volume of said cart life supporting incubator is at the most 2°

C. difference than the control temperature of 36°

C.;

g. the O₂ concentration within said cart life supporting incubator does not fall below 30 vol. %, and does not exceed 40 vol. %;

h. the CO₂ concentration within said cart life supporting incubator does not exceed 4%;

i. the air velocity over the mattress within said life supporting incubator does not exceed 0.35 m/s;

j. the average humidity levels of the inner volume of said life supporting incubator are maintained for the duration of MRI as medically predetermined by medical personal at levels of up to 85%;

k. said MRS will continue to be used safely in occurrence of a leakage of up to 200 ml deposited in said cart, said MRD or both;

l. said cart will remain stable when tilted 10°

in normal use and when tilted 20°

during transportation;

m. said cart, MRD or both will not tip over when the force is 100 N or less;

n. the average number of patients MRI related fall incidents when utilizing said MRS is r times lower than the average of patients MRI related fall incidents;

r is equal or greater than 1.05;

o. the average number of MRI associated acquired patient infections, when utilizing said MRS, is s times lower than the average number of infections acquired by patients that is MRI associated;

sis equal or greater than 1.05;

p. the average number of MRI associated patient'"'"'s health complications when utilizing said MRS is t times lower than the average number of patient'"'"'s MRI associated health complications, t is equal or greater than 1.05;

q. the radiated electromagnetic fields within said life supporting incubator, comprising electrical equipment system will be at a level up to 3 V/m for the frequency range of the collateral standard for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility);

further said electrical equipment is performing its intended function as specified by the manufacturer or fail without creating a safety harm at a level up to 10 V/m for the frequency range of the collateral standard for EMC;

r. the average number of excessive heating incidents and burn incidents in association with MRD is u times lower when utilizing said MRS;

u is equal or greater than 1.05; and

,

s. the average number of insurable claims of a selected from a group consisting of;

manufacturer, handler, user, operator, medical care personal, medical facility, medical facility management or any combination thereof when utilizing said MRS is v times lower than patient MRI associated insurable claims;

v is equal or greater than 1.05.