Multipositional MRI for kinematic studies of movable joints
First Claim
1. A method of generating a multiplicity of magnetic resonance images of a movable joint of a patient comprising:
- determining a plurality of stationary positions of a movable joint, where each position corresponds to a place where at least one of the magnetic resonance images is to be made;
securing a portion of the patient to a rotatable surface lying in a plane, the surface being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane, wherein rotation of the portion of the patient causes movement of the movable joint;
performing a magnetic resonance imaging study at an initial one of the predetermined stationary positions;
rotating the portion of the patient by rotating the surface about the axis to cause movement of the movable joint to a second one of the stationary predetermined positions; and
operating automatically under programmable control the sequence of performing a magnetic resonance imaging study at one of the stationary predetermined positions followed by rotation of the portion of the patient to cause movement of the movable joint to the next one of the stationary predetermined positions until the movable joint has been subjected to magnetic resonance imaging studies at each of the plurality of stationary predetermined positions.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for kinematic studies of the movable joints of the body using magnetic resonance imaging. The apparatus controls the position of movable joints at a multiplicity of predetermined positions, enabling the controlled movement of the joints to each of the predetermined positions. It also includes a device which automatically sequences the movement of a movable joint to each position among the multiplicity of predetermined positions, and the acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging data at each of these positions. These features enhance the clinical utility of kinematic studies of movable joint functionality by magnetic resonance imaging.
213 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of generating a multiplicity of magnetic resonance images of a movable joint of a patient comprising:
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determining a plurality of stationary positions of a movable joint, where each position corresponds to a place where at least one of the magnetic resonance images is to be made; securing a portion of the patient to a rotatable surface lying in a plane, the surface being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane, wherein rotation of the portion of the patient causes movement of the movable joint; performing a magnetic resonance imaging study at an initial one of the predetermined stationary positions; rotating the portion of the patient by rotating the surface about the axis to cause movement of the movable joint to a second one of the stationary predetermined positions; and operating automatically under programmable control the sequence of performing a magnetic resonance imaging study at one of the stationary predetermined positions followed by rotation of the portion of the patient to cause movement of the movable joint to the next one of the stationary predetermined positions until the movable joint has been subjected to magnetic resonance imaging studies at each of the plurality of stationary predetermined positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of generating a multiplicity of magnetic resonance images of a movable joint of a patient comprising:
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determining a plurality of stationary positions of a movable joint, where each position corresponds to a place where at least one of the magnetic resonance images is to be made; securing a portion of the patient to a rotatable surface lying in a plane, the surface being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane, wherein rotation of the portion of the patient causes movement of the movable joint; performing a magnetic resonance imaging study at an initial one of the predetermined stationary positions; rotating the portion of the patient by rotating the surface about the axis to cause movement of the movable joint to a second one of the stationary predetermined positions; and sequencing performance of a magnetic resonance imaging study at one of the stationary predetermined positions with rotation of the portion of the patient to cause movement of the movable joint to the next one of the stationary predetermined positions until the movable joint has been subjected to magnetic resonance imaging studies at each of the plurality of stationary positions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification