Method and apparatus for automatic self-aligning docking of a couch with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner
First Claim
1. A docking assembly for docking a movable subject couch with an imaging apparatus, the docking assembly including:
- couch alignment surfaces that mate with corresponding imaging apparatus alignment surfaces of a connecting region of the imaging apparatus to define a docked position of the movable subject couch with respect to the imaging apparatus;
a docking sensor that detects the movable subject couch approaching the docked position;
a latch that mates with the connecting region of the imaging apparatus; and
an actuator that cooperates with the latch to bias the movable subject couch into the docked position in response to the docking sensor detecting that the couch has approached the docking position, the actuator including an electric motor and a mechanical energy storage element interposed between the motor and the latch, the mechanical energy storage element cooperating with the latch to bias the movable subject couch into the docked position when the motor is not delivering mechanical energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A docking assembly connected to a movable couch (30) docks the couch with an imaging apparatus (10). Couch alignment surfaces (72) mate with corresponding alignment surfaces (64) of a connecting region (50) of the imaging apparatus (10) to define a docked position of the movable couch (30) with respect to the imaging apparatus. A docking sensor (160) detects the movable couch (30) approaching the docked position. A latch (82) mates with the connecting region (50) of the imaging to apparatus (10). An actuator (130, 154) cooperates with the latch (82) to bias the movable couch (30) into the docked position responsive to a signal produced by the docking sensor (160).
46 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A docking assembly for docking a movable subject couch with an imaging apparatus, the docking assembly including:
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couch alignment surfaces that mate with corresponding imaging apparatus alignment surfaces of a connecting region of the imaging apparatus to define a docked position of the movable subject couch with respect to the imaging apparatus; a docking sensor that detects the movable subject couch approaching the docked position; a latch that mates with the connecting region of the imaging apparatus; and an actuator that cooperates with the latch to bias the movable subject couch into the docked position in response to the docking sensor detecting that the couch has approached the docking position, the actuator including an electric motor and a mechanical energy storage element interposed between the motor and the latch, the mechanical energy storage element cooperating with the latch to bias the movable subject couch into the docked position when the motor is not delivering mechanical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A docking assembly for docking a movable subject couch with an imaging apparatus, the docking assembly including:
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couch alignment surfaces that mate with corresponding imaging apparatus alignment surfaces of a connecting region of the imaging apparatus to define a docked position of the movable subject couch with respect to the imaging apparatus; a docking sensor that detects the movable subject couch approaching the docked position; a latch that mates with the connecting region of the imaging apparatus; an actuator that cooperates with the latch to bias the movable subject couch into the docked position in response to the docking sensor detecting that the couch approached the docking position; and an electronic controller communicating with the actuator and the docking sensor, the electronic controller operating the actuator to cooperate with the latch to bias the movable subject couch into the docked position in response to the docking sensor detecting the movable subject couch approaching the docked position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for docking a movable subject support couch with an imaging apparatus, the method including:
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moving the movable subject support couch toward the imaging apparatus; responsive to the moving, mating a latch connected with the movable subject support couch with a connecting region of the imaging apparatus; detecting the movable couch approaching a docked position with respect to the imaging apparatus; and responsive to the detecting, electromechanically biasing the movable subject support couch into the docked position using the mated latch as a first force anchor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification