Microscope for MRI and support stand for MRI

• US 6,563,633 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Nakamura, Katsushige, Nakamura, Masakazu, Doi, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/845,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 359/368, 359/382, 359/384, 248/123.11, 248/280.11, 248/281.11, 248/585
• US Class Current: 359/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00911 for fields applied by a magnetic resonance imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/20 Surgical microscopes characterised by non-optical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/25 Supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0004 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0012 Surgical microscopes counterbalanced structures for surgical microscopes G02B7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/001 Counterbalanced structures, e.g. surgical microscopes

Abstract

A microscope suitable for use together with MRI, and a support stand for the microscope are provided. A microscope 1 is a non-magnet type where any electric motor is not used, and hence does not induce fluctuations of magnetic field having effects on image quality of an MRI 3 by focusing or zooming. Hence, the microscope of the invention is suitable for use together with MRI 13. Since a clutch C is of non-magnet type, a support stand 2 does not induce changes in the surrounding magnetic field environments if the clutch is operated, and hence it is suitable for use, for example, in proximity to the MRI.

Claims

1. A microscope used in a room in which an MRI is installed, comprising:

an air motor applying a torque to a load for manipulation of said microscope through a reduction mechanism; and

a manual actuator applying an additional torque to said reduction mechanism, wherein

the reduction mechanism comprises a transmission having first and second input shafts and an output shaft, the first input shaft receives the torque from the air motor, the second input shaft receives the additional torque from the manual actuator, and the output shaft drives the load for manipulation of the microscope.

2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein

the load for manipulation of said microscope is a focusing mechanism and a zooming mechanism.

3. The microscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

said microscope is formed of non-magnetic material.

4. The microscope according to claims 1 or 2, wherein

a flexible tube is connected to an exhaust port of the air motor and is extended away from an operator of the microscope.

5. The microscope according to claim 4, wherein the flexible tube connected to the exhaust port of the air motor is a silicone tube.

6. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein nitrogen gas is supplied to the air motor for driving the load.

7. The microscope used in a room in which an MRI is installed, comprising:

an air motor driving a load for manipulation of said microscope through a reduction mechanism; and

a manual actuator applying an additional torque to said reduction mechanism, wherein said air motor comprises;

a housing formed with a hollow space;

a turbine accommodated in said hollow space, said turbine being accommodated rotatably in said hollow space;

a gas feed port formed in said housing, gas being supplied towards the turbine from said gas feed port and exhausted, said turbine rotating according to a gas feed direction; and

a brake pad contacting with said turbine with a predetermined urging force, said brake pad departing from said turbine to be in non-contact state by application of exhausted gas pressure.

8. A support stand used in a room in which an MRI is installed comprising:

two or more support arms;

at least one rotary shaft for pivoting said support arms to each other; and

an air clutch for locking or releasing said rotary shaft, said air clutch comprising a brake pad and a spring biasing the brake pad to lock the rotary shaft when air is not supplied to the air clutch, wherein the air clutch releases the rotary shaft when air is supplied thereto.

9. The support stand according to claim 8, wherein

a tube for supplying air in and exhausting air from said air clutch is disposed in the support arm.

10. The support stand according to claim 8, wherein

said support stand supports a microscope for controlling a focusing mechanism and a zooming mechanism by means of an air motor.

11. The support stand of claim 8, wherein

said support stand is formed of non-magnetic material.

12. A microscope used in a static magnetic field environment comprising:

a first actuator which does not generate magnetic field, said first actuator applying a torque to a focusing mechanism or a zooming mechanism through a reduction mechanism; and

a manual actuator applying an additional torque to said reduction mechanism, said manual actuator being operative at least when said first actuator does not work, wherein

the reduction mechanism comprises a transmission having first and second input shafts and an output shaft, the first input shaft receives the torque from the first actuator, the second input shaft receives the additional torque from the manual actuator, and the output shaft drives the focusing or zooming mechanism.