Communication systems for use with magnetic resonance imaging systems

• US 6,704,592 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Reynolds, Paul, Hirschman, Alan D., Zatezalo, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US09/586,140
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 600/410, 600/418, 600/411, 600/432, 600/420, 455/73, 455/403, 324/318, 324/322, 604/131, 604/154, 128/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 600/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A communication system for use in an MRI procedure includes a first communication unit positioned within a shielded housing on an interior side of the isolation barrier. The first communication unit includes a first receiver and a first transmitter. The communication system also includes a second communication unit positioned on an exterior side of the isolation barrier. The second communication unit includes a second receiver and a second transmitter. The first communication unit is in connection via optical cabling with a first light transmitting device positioned on an interior side of the isolation barrier adjacent a viewing window in the isolation barrier. The second communication unit is in connection via optical cabling with a second light transmitting device positioned on the exterior side of the isolation barrier adjacent a viewing window in the isolation barrier. The first communication unit and the second communication unit communicate via transmission of optical energy between the first light transmitting device and the second light transmitting device.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a MRI scanner positioned within an electromagnetic isolation area and having an operating frequency range;

a system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

at least a first source of RF signals outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner;

at least a first receiver for RF signals outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner, the first source of RF signals and the first receiver for RF signals being in communication with the system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

at least a second source of RF signals outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner;

at least a second receiver for RF signals outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner, the second source of RF signals and the second receiver for RF signals being positioned within the isolation area;

at least one intermediate source of RF signals outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner; and

at least one intermediate receiver for RF signals outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner, the intermediate source of RF signals and the intermediate receiver for RF signals being positioned within the isolation area and through which the first source of RF signals and the first receiver for RF signals can communicate with the second source of RF signals and the second receiver for RF signals.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the frequency of the RF signals is above approximately 1 Gigahertz.

3. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising an injector to inject a fluid medium into a patient, the second receiver and the second source being operably connected to the injector.

4. The communication system of claim 3 wherein the injector comprises an injector head unit and an injector control unit positioned within the isolation area, and the second receiver and the second source are operably connected to the injector control unit.

5. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the second receiver and the second source form a transceiver.

6. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the injector control unit, the second receiver and the second source can be moved as a unit.

7. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the injector head unit and the injector control unit are disposed on a base unit.

8. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the injector control unit is separated from the injector head unit.

9. The communication system of claim 1 wherein RF signals of at least two different frequencies are transmitted to authenticate data, each of the RF frequencies being outside the frequency range of the scanner.

10. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising a predetermined authentication algorithm operable to authenticate the RF signals.

11. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the system controller comprises an operator interface.

12. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the at least a first source of RF signals and the at least a first receiver for RF signals comprise a first communication unit, the at least a second source of RF signals and the at least a second receiver for RF signals comprise a second communication unit and the at least one intermediate source of RF signals and the at least one intermediate receiver for RF signals comprise at least one intermediate communication unit.

13. The communication system of claim 12 wherein the at least one intermediate communication unit comprises a plurality of intermediate communication units positioned within the isolation area, whereby the first communication unit can communicate with the second communication unit through one or more of the plurality of intermediate communication units by transmission of RF energy through the air.

14. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first source of RF signals and the first receiver for RF signals are located within the isolation area and are operably connected to the system controller via a non-interfering communication device.

15. The communication system of claim 14 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a fiber optic cable.

16. The communication system of claim 14 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a shielded cable.

17. The communication system of claim 14 wherein the non-interfering communication device is operably connected to the system controller through a tuned port in the isolation area.

30. The communication system of claim 17 wherein the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises a plurality of intermediate RF communication units positioned within the isolation area, whereby the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit through one or more of the plurality of intermediate RF communication units.

31. The communication system of claim 17 wherein the first RF communication unit is located within the isolation area and is operably connected to the system controller via a non-interfering communication device.

32. The communication system of claim 31 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a fiber optic cable.

33. The communication system of claim 32 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a shielded cable.

34. The communication system of claim 32 wherein the non-interfering communication device is operably connected to the system controller through a tuned port in the isolation area.

18. A communication system comprising:

a MRI scanner positioned within an electromagnetic isolation area and having an operating frequency range;

a system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

a first RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and in communication with the system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

a second RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area; and

at least one intermediate RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner, the at least one intermediate RF communication unit being positioned within the isolation area and through which the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit.

19. The communication system of claim 18 wherein the frequency of the RF communication units is above approximately 1 Gigahertz.

20. The communication system of claim 18 wherein one or more of the first RF communication unit, the second RF communication unit and the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises a transceiver.

21. The communication system of claim 18 wherein the first RF communication unit comprises a first source of RF signals and a first receiver for RF signals, the second RF communication unit comprises a second source of RF signals and a second receiver for RF signals or the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises an intermediate source of RF signals and an intermediate receiver for RF signals.

22. The communication system of claim 18 wherein the RF communication units transmit and receive RF signals of at least two different frequencies to authenticate data, each of the RF frequencies being outside the frequency range of the scanner.

23. The communication system of claim 18, further comprising a predetermined authentication algorithm operable to authenticate one or more RF signals transmitted or received by the RF communication units.

24. The communication system of claim 18 wherein the system controller comprises an operator interface.

25. The communication system of claim 18, further comprising an injector to inject a fluid medium into a patient, the second RF communication unit being operably connected to the injector.

26. The communication system of claim 25 wherein the injector comprises an injector head unit and an injector control unit positioned within the isolation area, and the second RF communication unit is operably connected to the injector control unit.

27. The communication system of claim 25 wherein the injector control unit and the second RF communication unit can be moved as a unit.

28. The communication system of claim 25 wherein the injector head unit and the injector control unit are disposed on a base unit.

29. The communication system of claim 25 wherein the injector control unit is separated from the injector head unit.

35. A communication system comprising:

a MRI scanner positioned within an electromagnetic isolation area and having an operating frequency range;

a system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

a first RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and in communication with the system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

a second RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area; and

a plurality of intermediate RF communication units adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area, whereby the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit through one or more of the plurality of intermediate RF communication units.

36. The communication system of claim 35 wherein the frequency of the RF communication units is above approximately 1 Gigahertz.

37. The communication system of claim 35 wherein one or more of the first RF communication unit, the second RF communication unit and the plurality of intermediate RF communication units comprises a transceiver.

38. The communication system of claim 35 wherein the first RF communication unit comprises a first source of RF signals and a first receiver for RF signals, the second RF communication unit comprises a second source of RF signals and a second receiver for RF signals or the plurality of intermediate RF communication units comprises a plurality of intermediate sources of RF signals and a plurality of intermediate receivers for RF signals.

39. The communication system of claim 35 wherein the RF communication units transmit and receive RF signals of at least two different frequencies to authenticate data, each of the RF frequencies being outside the frequency range of the scanner.

40. The communication system of claim 35, further comprising a predetermined authentication algorithm operable to authenticate one or more RF signals transmitted or received by the RF communication units.

41. The communication system of claim 35 wherein the system controller comprises an operator interface.

42. The communication system of claim 35, further comprising an injector to inject a fluid medium into a patient, the second RF communication unit being operably connected to the injector.

43. The communication system of claim 42 wherein the injector comprises an injector head unit and an injector control unit positioned within the isolation area, and the second RF communication unit is operably connected to the injector control unit.

44. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the injector control unit and the second RF communication unit can be moved as a unit.

45. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the injector head unit and the injector control unit are disposed on a base unit.

46. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the injector control unit is separated from the injector head unit.

47. The communication system of claim 35 wherein the first RF communication unit is located within the isolation area and is operably connected to the system controller via a non-interfering communication device.

48. The communication system of claim 47 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a fiber optic cable.

49. The communication system of claim 47 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a shielded cable.

50. The communication system of claim 47 wherein the non-interfering communication device is operably connected to the system controller through a tuned port in the isolation area.

51. A communication system comprising:

a MRI scanner positioned within an electromagnetic isolation area and having an operating frequency range;

a system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

a first RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area;

a non-interfering communication device operably connecting the first RF communication unit and the system controller; and

a second RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area.

52. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a fiber optic cable.

53. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a shielded cable.

54. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the non-interfering communication device is operably connected to the system controller through a tuned port in the isolation area.

55. The communication system of claim 51, further comprising at least one intermediate RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner, the at least one intermediate RF communication unit being positioned within the isolation area and through which the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit.

56. The communication system of claim 55 wherein the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises a plurality of intermediate RF communication units positioned within the isolation area, whereby the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit through one or more of the plurality of intermediate RF communication units.

57. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the frequency of the RF communication units is above approximately 1 Gigahertz.

58. The communication system of claim 51 wherein one or both of the first RF communication unit and the second RF communication unit comprises a transceiver.

59. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the first RF communication unit comprises a first source of RF signals and a first receiver for RF signals or the second RF communication unit comprises a second source of RF signals and a second receiver for RF signals.

60. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the RF communication units transmit and receive RF signals of at least two different frequencies to authenticate data, each of the RF frequencies being outside the frequency range of the scanner.

61. The communication system of claim 51, further comprising a predetermined authentication algorithm operable to authenticate one or more RF signals transmitted or received by the RF communication units.

62. The communication system of claim 51 wherein the system controller comprises an operator interface.

63. The communication system of claim 52, further comprising an injector to inject a fluid medium into a patient, the second RF communication unit being operably connected to the injector.

64. The communication system of claim 63 wherein the injector comprises an injector head unit and an injector control unit positioned within the isolation area, and the second RF communication unit is operably connected to the injector control unit.

65. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the injector control unit and the second RF communication unit can be moved as a unit.

66. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the injector head unit and the injector control unit are disposed on a base unit.

67. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the injector control unit is separated from the injector head unit.

68. A communication system comprising:

a MRI scanner positioned within an electromagnetic isolation area and having an operating frequency range;

a system controller positioned outside the isolation area;

a first RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area;

a non-interfering communication device operably connecting the first RF communication unit and the system controller;

a second RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner and positioned within the isolation area; and

at least one intermediate RF communication unit adapted to operate outside the frequency range of the MRI scanner, the at least one intermediate RF communication unit being positioned within the isolation area and through which the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit.

69. The communication system of claim 68 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a fiber optic cable.

70. The communication system of claim 68 wherein the non-interfering communication device comprises a shielded cable.

71. The communication system of claim 68 wherein the non-interfering communication device is operably connected to the system controller through a tuned port in the isolation area.

72. The communication system of claim 68 wherein the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises a plurality of intermediate RF communication units positioned within the isolation area, whereby the first RF communication unit can communicate with the second RF communication unit through one or more of the plurality of intermediate RF communication units.

73. The communication system of claim 68 wherein one or more of the first RF communication unit, the second RF communication unit and the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises a transceiver.

74. The communication system of claim 68 wherein the first RF communication unit comprises a first source of RF signals and a first receiver for RF signals, the second RF communication unit comprises a second source of RF signals and a second receiver for RF signals or the at least one intermediate RF communication unit comprises an intermediate source of RF signals and an intermediate receiver for RF signals.

75. The communication system of claim 68, further comprising an injector to inject a fluid medium into a patient, the second RF communication unit being operably connected to the injector.

76. The communication system of claim 75 wherein the injector comprises an injector head unit and an injector control unit positioned within the isolation area, and the second RF communication unit is operably connected to the injector control unit.

77. The communication system of claim 76 wherein the injector control unit and the second RF communication unit can be moved as a unit.

78. The communication system of claim 76 wherein the injector head unit and the injector control unit are disposed on a base unit.

79. The communication system of claim 76 wherein the injector control unit is separated from the injector head unit.