Hand operated device for controlling characteristics of an MRI image, and the like
First Claim
1. A table top hand operated device to control an image characteristic of an imaging scan, the device comprising:
- a base having a bottom surface to be supported by a table;
a hand sized planar member;
a longitudinally extending coupling member having a first end coupled to the base and a second end;
a rotatable coupling between the second end of the coupling member and the planar member;
wherein the rotatable coupling comprises light and dark regions; and
at least one sensor proximate the rotatable coupling to detect relative movement between the sensor and the light and dark regions;
whereby rotation of the planar member changes the image characteristic.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hand operated device for controlling characteristics of a magnetic resonance (“MR”) image is disclosed. One characteristic that the hand operated device is particularly suited to control is the oblique angle the MR image slice. In one embodiment, the device comprises a planar member, such a plate, rotatably coupled to a supporting member. The supporting member may be a longitudinal member supported by a base. Rotation of the plate is detected by detectors coupled to an MRI system. The oblique angle of an MRI image is changed based on the rotation of the plate, as detected by the detectors. The supporting member may be telescoping and the depression and retraction of to the plate towards and away from the base may be used to vary the depth of the image slice. The telescoping feature can also be used vary other image characteristics, such as slice thickness, field of view and resolution, for example, in addition to or instead of slice depth. Buttons may also be provided on the plate to select a coronal, saggital or axial alignment of the slice image. Methods of conducting MRI scans, and MRI systems including the hand operated device are also disclosed. The device, methods and systems of the invention are particularly suitable for use by a surgeon during a surgical procedure, to obtain magnetic resonance images of a site of interest in a desired orientation.
31 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A table top hand operated device to control an image characteristic of an imaging scan, the device comprising:
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a base having a bottom surface to be supported by a table; a hand sized planar member; a longitudinally extending coupling member having a first end coupled to the base and a second end; a rotatable coupling between the second end of the coupling member and the planar member; wherein the rotatable coupling comprises light and dark regions; and at least one sensor proximate the rotatable coupling to detect relative movement between the sensor and the light and dark regions; whereby rotation of the planar member changes the image characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A table top hand operated device to control a characteristic of an image slice of a magnetic resonance image, comprising:
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a base having a bottom surface to be supported by a table; a hand sized planar member; and a telescoping longitudinal member having a first end directly and rigidly mounted to the base and a second end having a rounded surface; a recess defined in a surface of the planar member to receive the rounded surface; at least one sensor proximate the rounded surface to detect rotation of the planar member; and at least one displaceable member coupled to the planar member; wherein; rotation of the planar member about the longitudinal member changes a first image characteristic; telescoping of the longitudinal member changes a second image characteristic; and displacement of the displaceable member changes a third image characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A hand operated device for changing an image characteristic of an imaging scan, the device comprising:
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a base; and a telescoping longitudinal member having an end coupled to the base; wherein movement of the telescoping member changes a characteristic of the imaging scan chosen from the group consisting of slice thickness, size of field of view and resolution. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A magnetic resonance imaging (“
- MRI”
) system, comprising;a computer to control operation of the system; a table; and a hand operated device coupled to the computer to provide input signals to the computer, the hand operated device comprising; a base having a bottom surface supported by a table; a hand sized planar member; and a longitudinally extending coupling member having a first end coupled directly and rigidly to the base and a second end rotatably coupled directly to the planar member; wherein the computer is programmed to change a characteristic of a magnetic resonance image based on rotation of the planar member. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- MRI”
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39. A hand operated device to control an image characteristic of an image, comprising:
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a base; and a planar member directly, rotatably connected to the base; wherein rotation of the planar member with respect to the base changes the image characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. An imaging system comprising:
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a computer to control operation of the system; a supporting surface; and a hand operated device coupled to the computer to provide input signals to the computer, the hand operated device comprising; a base having a bottom surface supported by the supporting surface; a hand sized planar member; and a longitudinally extending member having a first end coupled directly and rigidly to the base and a second end rotatably coupled directly to the planar member; wherein; the longitudinally extending member, the first end and the second end extend along a single longitudinal axis; and the computer is programmed to change a characteristic of an image based on manipulation of the device. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
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a computer to control operation of the system; and a hand operated device coupled to the computer to provide input signals to the computer, the hand operated device comprising; a base; a planar member; and a telescoping member having a first end rigidly mounted to the base and a second end rotatably coupled to the planar member; wherein the computer is programmed to change a characteristic of an image based on manipulation of the device, wherein the image characteristic is at least one of slice thickness, size of field of view and resolution.
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56. A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
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a computer to control operation of the system; and a hand operated device coupled to the computer to provide input signals to the computer, the hand operated device comprising; a base; a planar member; a longitudinally extending member having a first end rigidly mounted to the base and a second end rotatably coupled to the planar member; and at least one displaceable member coupled to the planar member; wherein the computer is programmed to change TR time and/or TE time based on displacement of the displaceable member.
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57. A magnetic resonance imaging system comprising:
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a computer to control operation of the system; and a hand operated device coupled to the computer to provide input signals to the computer, the hand operated device comprising; a base; a planar member; and a telescoping longitudinal member having a first end coupled to the base and a second end having a rounded surface; a recess defined in a surface of the planar member to receive the rounded surface; at least one sensor proximate the rounded surface detect rotation of the planar member; and first, second and third displaceable members coupled to the planar member; wherein; rotation of the planar member about the longitudinal member changes a first image characteristic; telescoping of the longitudinal member changes a second image characteristic; and displacement of one of the first, second and third displaceable members changes an alignment of a slice axis from a first alignment to a second alignment along a coronal, sagittal or axial plane of a subject, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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61. A method of conducting an imaging procedure of a subject with a hand operated device comprising a rotatably supported planar member and first, second and third displaceable members on the planar member, the method comprising:
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establishing a slice axis to align an image along one of a coronal, sagittal or axial plane based on selection of a respective one of the first, second or third displaceable members; establishing an oblique angle of the image by rotation of the planar member; and conducting an imaging scan.
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62. A magnetic resonance imaging (“
- MRI”
) system, comprising;a computer to control operation of the system; a supporting surface; and a hand operated device coupled to the computer to provide input signals to the computer, the hand operated device comprising; a base having a bottom surface supported by the supporting surface; a planar member having an exterior boundary and an interior portion within the exterior boundary, the interior portion defining at least one hole therethrough, to receive at least one respective finger of an operator; and a longitudinally extending coupling member having a first end coupled to the base and a second end rotatably coupled directly to the planar member; wherein the computer is programmed to change a characteristic of a magnetic resonance image based on rotation of the planar member.
- MRI”
Specification