Neonate imaging sub-system

• US 8,147,396 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Imaging Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Imaging Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Ravi
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAURITZEN, AMANDA L
• Application Number:
  US10/997,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,687 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/411, 600/22, 600/415, 600/421, 600/422, D24/163, 378/4, 378/17, 378/20, 378/21, 378/69, 378/195, 378/198, 378/209, 324/318, 560/1, 560/3
• US Class Current: 600/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/704 Tables

Abstract

A radiographic imaging sub-system for treating neonates is disclosed. The subsystem includes a radiographic compatible incubator for providing a controlled environment for a neonate, a radiographic compatible RF coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiographic imaging of the neonate, and a radiographic compatible trolley for transporting the incubator and the RF coil. Additionally, the sub-system can include a radiographic MR compatible vital signs monitor, a radiographic compatible infusion pump, a radiographic compatible injector, a radiographic compatible ventilator, a radiographic compatible blender, radiographic compatible intravenous pole, tanks, pressure reducers/gauges and flow pipes.

Claims

1. A radiology imaging sub-system for treating neonates, comprising:

a radiology compatible incubator for providing a controlled environment for a neonate;

a radiology compatible RF coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiology imaging of the neonate;

at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the incubator for retaining at least one of a life sustaining line or a life monitoring line to the sub-system,

wherein the retaining mechanism is a semicircular flap coupled to at least one of the incubator, the trolley or the coil; and

a radiology compatible trolley for transporting the incubator and the RF coil,

wherein the incubator and RF coil are formed as a modular assembly thereby facilitating installation and removal of the incubator and RF coil to/from the sub-system.

2. The sub-system of claim 1, further comprising at least one radiology compatible device selected from the group consisting of a radiology compatible vital signs monitor, a radiology compatible infusion pump, a radiology compatible injector, a radiology compatible ventilator, a radiology compatible blender, and a radiology compatible intravenous pole.

3. The sub-system of claim 2, further comprising:

a radiology compatible camera coupled to the incubator; and

a radiology compatible display, wherein images captured by the camera are viewable on the display.

4. The sub-system of claim 2, wherein at least one radiology compatible device is modular, thereby facilitating installation and removal of each component to/from the sub-system.

5. The sub-system of claim 2, wherein the blender is a pneumatic blender.

6. The sub-system of claim 1, further comprising:

a radiology compatible camera operatively coupled to the incubator; and

a radiology compatible display, wherein images captured by the camera are viewable on the display.

7. The sub-system of claim 6, wherein the camera is a fiber optic camera.

8. The sub-system of claim 6, wherein the display is remotely located relative to the camera.

9. The sub-system of claim 1, further comprising means for retaining at least one of a life sustaining line or a life monitoring line to the sub-system.

10. The sub-system of claim 1, further comprising a moveable patient table operatively coupled to the incubator, said movable patient table facilitating quick access to a patient in the incubator.

11. The sub-system of claim 10, wherein the moveable patient table is retained by a quick release latch.

12. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the incubator, trolley and coil are fabricated from the group consisting of aluminum, virgin brass, phosphor-bronze, silver and plastic.

13. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the sub-system receives power from an external source.

14. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the subsystem receives power from an onboard source.

15. The sub-system of claim 14, wherein the onboard source is a battery pack.

16. The sub-system of claim 1, further comprising:

a radiology compatible vital signs monitor;

at least one radiology compatible oxygen/air tank;

at least one radiology compatible pressure reducer operatively coupled to the at least one oxygen/air tank; and

at least one radiology compatible intravenous pole.

17. The sub-system of claim 16, further comprising:

a radiology compatible ventilator;

at least one radiology compatible ventilator monitor;

at least one radiology compatible blender;

a radiology compatible infusion pump; and

a radiology compatible injector.

18. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the radiology medium is at least one of magnetic resonance imaging, computer tomography imaging, flouroscopic imaging, and x-ray imaging.

19. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the radiology compatible RF coil is an RF head coil, further comprising an RF body coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiology imaging of a body of the neonate.

20. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the radiology compatible RF coil comprises an integrated head-spine array for diagnosis of neurological, anatomical and functional problems associated with the brain, spine and major organs of the neonate.

21. The sub-system of claim 1, wherein the modular assembly includes hand-operable fasteners for facilitating removal and/or installation of the at least one incubator and RF coil to/from the sub-system.

22. A radiology imaging sub-system for treating neonates, comprising:

a radiology compatible incubator for providing a controlled environment for a neonate;

a radiology compatible RF coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiology imaging of the neonate;

a flap through which the RF coil can be inserted into the incubator and removed from the incubator through the flap; and

a radiology compatible trolley for transporting the incubator and the RF coil,

wherein the incubator and RF coil are formed as a modular assembly thereby facilitating installation and removal of the incubator and RF coil to/from the sub-system.