Method and apparatus for MRI compatible communications
First Claim
1. A communication system to permit communication between a patient undergoing a diagnostic imaging procedure in a scan room and a technologist in a control room conducting the diagnostic imaging procedure, wherein the diagnostic imaging equipment includes a scanner configured to generate a diagnostic image located in the scan room and a controller configured to control operation of the scanner located in the control room, the communication system comprising;
- an interface module operable to transfer an audio signal between the control room and the scan room, the interface module including;
an input connection configured to receive the audio signal from the controller,a wireless communication module configured to convert the audio signal to a radio frequency (RE) modulated signal having a frequency greater than a frequency of operation of the diagnostic scanner, andan output connection configured to conduct the RF modulated signal;
an antenna located in the scan room and electrically connected to the output connection of the interface module and configured to transmit the RF modulated signal in proximity to the scanner; and
at least one wireless receiver configured to be positioned in proximity to the scanner and to receive the RF modulated signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An MRI compatible communication system is disclosed. An interface module manages communications between devices within and external to the MRI scan room. The interface module also translates messages between varying wireless communication standards and protocols for retransmission to other devices. The communication system is configurable to transmit and/or receive data between physiological sensors, the MRI controller, patient monitoring devices, patient entertainment devices, and other computers. The interface module is configurable to be placed either in the control room or in the scan room.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication system to permit communication between a patient undergoing a diagnostic imaging procedure in a scan room and a technologist in a control room conducting the diagnostic imaging procedure, wherein the diagnostic imaging equipment includes a scanner configured to generate a diagnostic image located in the scan room and a controller configured to control operation of the scanner located in the control room, the communication system comprising;
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an interface module operable to transfer an audio signal between the control room and the scan room, the interface module including; an input connection configured to receive the audio signal from the controller, a wireless communication module configured to convert the audio signal to a radio frequency (RE) modulated signal having a frequency greater than a frequency of operation of the diagnostic scanner, and an output connection configured to conduct the RF modulated signal; an antenna located in the scan room and electrically connected to the output connection of the interface module and configured to transmit the RF modulated signal in proximity to the scanner; and at least one wireless receiver configured to be positioned in proximity to the scanner and to receive the RF modulated signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A communication system for radio frequency (RF) communications between a device within a shielded scan room housing a medical diagnostic scanner and a device external to the shielded scan room, wherein RF shielding exists around the shielded scan room, the communication system comprising:
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a first device operable to be located within the shielded scan room proximate to the medical diagnostic scanner and configured to transmit and receive at least one RF modulated signal; an interface module operable to communicate with the first device and to transfer a signal received from the first device within the shielded scan room to a second device external to the shielded scan room, the interface module including a wireless communication module configured to transmit and receive at least one RF modulated signal with the at least one device located within the shielded scan room, wherein the RF modulated signals have a frequency greater than a frequency of operation of the diagnostic scanner; and an antenna configured to exchange the RF modulated signals between the interface module and the first device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19)
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13. A wireless communication system for use during a diagnostic imaging procedure to communicate between a control room, which includes a controller configured to control operation of a diagnostic scanner, and a shielded scan room which contains the diagnostic scanner, wherein RF shielding exists around the shielded scan room, the wireless communication system comprising:
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at least one portable device configured to engage a patient in the diagnostic scanner during operation of the diagnostic scanner, wherein the portable device includes a wireless communication module configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) modulated signals, wherein the RF modulated signals have a frequency greater than a frequency of operation of the diagnostic scanner; a portable computing device including a memory device configured to store data and a series of instructions, a processor configured to execute the series of instructions, and a wireless communication module; and an interface module configured to transmit and receive RF modulated signals between the at least one portable device within the shielded scan room and with the portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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Specification