Method and apparatus for ferrous object and/or magnetic field detection for MRI safety
First Claim
1. An apparatus for magnetic field detection, comprising:
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a user interface for generating an alert to a user upon detection of the threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a power supply;
wherein the magnetic field detector, the power supply, and the user interface are utilized in a single package, wherein the one or more magnetic field sensors comprise three magnetic field sensors, wherein the three magnetic field sensors detect magnetic fields in three perpendicular directions.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for ferrous object and/or magnetic field detection are provided. Embodiments can improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety and increase the safety of MRI facilities. Embodiments can detect a given magnetic field strength around a MRI machine and alert users to the field'"'"'s presence. In an embodiment, the magnetic field warning system can rely on a single badge that warns its user. In another embodiment, the badge can utilize an RFID system. The RFID system can turn the badge on when it enters the MRI room and off when it leaves the MRI room. In another embodiment, a badge with a rechargeable battery and charger can be utilized with or without an RFID tag. The subject badges or other detection devices can be worn by a person, located on or near a ferrous object, embedded in clothing, or located in other positions convenient to a user.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for magnetic field detection, comprising:
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a user interface for generating an alert to a user upon detection of the threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a power supply;
wherein the magnetic field detector, the power supply, and the user interface are utilized in a single package, wherein the one or more magnetic field sensors comprise three magnetic field sensors, wherein the three magnetic field sensors detect magnetic fields in three perpendicular directions. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
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3. An apparatus for magnetic field detection, comprising:
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a user interface for generating an alert to a user upon detection of the threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a power supply;
wherein the magnetic field detector, the power supply, and the user interface are utilized in a single package, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more sensors selected from the following type of sensors;
a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, a flux gate sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistors (AMR) sensor, an induction magnetic field sensor, a SQUID magnetic field sensor, and a linear Hall effect sensor. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
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19. An apparatus for magnetic field detection, comprising:
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a user interface for generating an alert to a user upon detection of the threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a power supply;
wherein the magnetic field detector, the power supply, and the user interface are utilized in a single package, wherein the magnetic field sensors detect a second threshold magnitude magnetic field, wherein the second threshold magnitude is larger than the first threshold magnitude magnetic field, wherein the user interface generates a second alert upon detection of the second threshold magnitude magnetic field.
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
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20. An apparatus for magnetic field detection, comprising:
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a user interface for generating an alert to a user upon detection of the threshold magnitude magnetic field;
a power supply;
wherein the magnetic field detector, the power supply, and the user interface are utilized in a single package, wherein the one or more magnetic field sensors comprise six Hall effect sensors, wherein two Hall effect sensors are positioned on an x-axis, two Hall effect sensors are positioned on a y-axis, and two Hall effect sensors are positioned on a z-axis, wherein one of the two Hall effect sensors for each axis provides a measurement for a positive magnetic field along the axis and the other one of the two Hall effect sensors for each axis provides a measurement for a negative magnetic field along the axis.
- a magnetic field detector comprising one or more magnetic field sensors for detecting a threshold magnitude magnetic field;
Specification