Shielding system and method for an entertainment system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging device

• US 5,864,331 A
• Filed: 04/17/1997
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Anand, Prem K., Trani, Stephen Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Paul A.
• Application Number:
  US08/843,867
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 345/905, 348/818, 348/819, 348/820, 348/836, 348/794, 348/77, 206/719, 257/659, 257/422, 307/91, 315/85, 349/59, 361/800, 361/816, 600/410, 174/35 R, 505/872
• US Class Current: 345/656
• 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: G09G 2340/0492 Change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/65 Holding-devices for protective discs or for picture masks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

An entertainment system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device has a display panel and associated electronics which are mounted close to the MRI device and which are enclosed within a Faraday shield. A patient may be placed within the MRI device in a variety of positions and may view images from the display panel either directly or through a mirror, prism, or corner reflector. In order for the patient to view the images in the correct orientation regardless of the exact positioning, the display panel can display the images normally, with the images flipped from top to bottom, with the images flipped from left to right, and with the images flipped both from top to bottom and from left to right. The display panel is formed with a dark-colored focus area which forms a border around the display panel and which directs the attention of the patient toward the images on the display panel. The entertainment system indicates the various states of the MRI procedure through a set of lamps colored and arranged to simulate a typical traffic light. By using the traffic light configuration and coloring, patients can easily determine the state of the MRI procedure. The entertainment system calms the patient, distracts the patient from the MRI procedure, and makes it easier for the patient to remain still during the MRI procedure. As a result of the entertainment system, better quality images may be obtained with the MRI device.

Claims

1. An arrangement for entertaining a patient within a magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising:

a magnetic resonance imaging device in an examination room;

a patient positioned within said magnetic resonance imaging device;

a video display panel having a video display screen, said video display panel being positioned in said examination room within a magnetic field generated by said magnetic resonance imaging device, said patient being capable of direct viewing of said video display screen;

an image generated on said display screen to entertain said patient;

a mirror disposed within said magnetic resonance imaging device, said patient being capable of viewing a direct reflection of said display screen in said mirror without fiber optic coupling; and

a magnetically shielded enclosure integral to said video display panel, said enclosure shielding said magnetic resonance imaging device from an internal magnetic field generated in said video display panel, and said enclosure shielding said video display from an external magnetic field generated by said magnetic resonance imaging device, said magnetically shielded enclosure having a metal box with an open face, a cover plate with a cut-out for the video display screen, said cover plate fastened to said metal box, a radio frequency interference gasket to seal the joint said metal box and said cover plate, and a wire mesh covering said cut-out in said plate.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said image generated on said display screen is displayed in a normal viewing orientation when said patient is in a headfirst, prone position for direct viewing by said patient, said image being reversed from left to right when said patient is in a head-first supine position viewing a reflection of said display screen on said mirror, said image being reversed from top to bottom when said patient is in a head-first supine position for direct viewing by said patient, and said image being reversed from left to right and from top to bottom when said patient is in a feet-first supine position viewing a reflection of said display screen on said mirror.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said cover plate further comprises at least one hole for a viewing lamp, said hole covered by a second wire mesh mounted to said cover plate with a brass ring, said wire mesh constructed from thin wires allowing the viewing of said lamp without obstruction.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensitive electrical component effected by strong magnetic fields disposed within said video display panel, said sensitive electrical component being housed within an internal metal electromagnetic shield.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said wire mesh is constructed from a plurality of thin wires allowing the viewing of said video images without obstruction.

6. A method of shielding a video display to prevent electromagnetic interference with a magnetic resonance imaging device located in proximity to said video display, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a patient within a magnetic resonance imaging device disposed in an examining room;

(b) examining said patient with said magnetic resonance imaging device;

(c) placing a video display panel in said examining room within a magnetic field generated by a magnetic resonance imaging device and within direct viewing range of said patient;

(d) producing a video image on a video display screen within said video display panel;

(e) orienting said video image on said video display screen in relation to an orientation of said patient within said magnetic resonance imaging device;

(f) reflecting said video image from said display screen to said patient using a mirror without a fiber optic coupling; and

(g) shielding said video display panel within a magnetic shielding enclosure, said enclosure shielding said magnetic resonance imaging device from an internal magnetic field generated by said video display, and said enclosure shielding said video display panel from an external magnetic field generated by said magnetic resonance imaging device, wherein the step of shielding said video display panel comprises the steps of;

(1) enclosing said video display in a metal box with an open face;

(2) closing said open face with by fastening a cover plate with a cut-out for a viewing screen to said metal box;

(3) sealing the joint between said metal box and said cover plate with a radio frequency interference gasket; and

(4) covering said cut-out in said cover plate with a wire mesh.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of orienting said video image on said video display screen further comprises the step of:

displaying said image in a normal viewing orientation when said patient is in a head-first, prone position for direct viewing by said patient,

displaying said image reversed from left to right when said patient is in a head-first supine position, said patient viewing a reflection of said display screen on said mirror;

displaying said image reversed from top to bottom when said patient is in a head-first supine position for direct viewing by said patient; and

displaying said image reversed from left to right and from top to bottom when said patient is in a feet-first supine position viewing a reflection of said display screen on said mirror.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of shielding said video display panel further comprises the step of

(5) displaying at least one viewing lamp through a hole in said cover plate;

(6) covering said hole with a second wire mesh mounted to said cover plate, with a brass ring, said second wire mesh constructed from thin wires allowing the viewing of said viewing lamp without obstruction.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of shielding a sensitive electrical component inside said video display panel with an internal electromagnetic shield.