Portable device for emergency magnetic field shutdown

• US 9,921,277 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2016
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Steckner, Michael, Gonzalez, Edwin, Prudic, Joseph, Messner, Dale Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US15/072,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20170269175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 340532, 340506, 3405391, 34053911, 340 31
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/283 Intercom or optical viewing arrangements, structurally associated with NMR apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3815 with superconducting coils, e.g. power supply therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 6/003 Methods and means for discharging superconductive storage superconducting alloys C22C; static memories with superconducting elements G11C11/44; superconducting circuit breakers with contacts H01H33/004; superconducting switches for low power H03K17/92; superconducting material H10N60/00; power cryotons H10N60/355

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for shutting down a magnet system. The device includes a portable housing, a communication unit, and a switch on the portable housing. The portable housing encloses a field shutdown initiation circuitry. The communication unit is disposed at least partially in the portable housing and the communication unit is configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system. The switch is configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system.

Claims

1. A device for shutting down a magnetic field in a magnet system, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing field shutdown initiation circuitry;

a communication unit disposed at least partially in the portable housing, the communication unit configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system;

a switch on the portable housing, the switch configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system; and

an energy source in the portable housing, the energy source configured to provide power to the field shutdown initiation circuitry.

2. A device for shutting down a magnetic field in a magnet system, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing field shutdown initiation circuitry;

a communication unit disposed at least partially in the portable housing, the communication unit configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system; and

a switch on the portable housing, the switch configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system,

wherein the communication unit comprises a universal plug connector on the portable housing, the universal plug connector configured to connect with different magnet systems from different manufacturers and establish a communication channel between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system.

3. A device for shutting down a magnetic field in a magnet system, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing field shutdown initiation circuitry;

a communication unit disposed at least partially in the portable housing, the communication unit configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system; and

a switch on the portable housing, the switch configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system,

wherein the switch is configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry so that the field shutdown initiation circuitry sends a shutting down signal to the magnet system via a cable connected between the communication unit and the magnet system.

4. A device for shutting down a magnetic field in a magnet system, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing field shutdown initiation circuitry;

a communication unit disposed at least partially in the portable housing, the communication unit configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system; and

a switch on the portable housing, the switch configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system,

wherein the communication unit comprises a wireless connector, and the wireless connector establishes a second communication channel between the communication unit and the magnet system.

5. The device of claim 4, further configured to obtain environmental information from one or more sensors that monitor a magnet room accommodating the magnet system.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a display to display the environmental information of the magnet room.

7. A device for shutting down a magnetic field in a magnet system, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing field shutdown initiation circuitry;

a communication unit disposed at least partially in the portable housing, the communication unit configured to establish communication between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system;

a switch on the portable housing, the switch configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry to initiate a magnet field shutdown in the magnet system; and

a built-in energy source tester and at least one of the following;

a rechargeable battery of small capacity;

a capacitor bank with a hand crank dynamo;

a special battery that is dormant until activated; and

a receiver that connects with a separate power source.

8. A device, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing a field shutdown initiation circuitry inside the portable housing;

a cable comprising a first end connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry and a second end including a universal interface configured to be connected to a plurality of magnet systems; and

an energy source in the portable housing, the energy source configured to provide power to the field shutdown initiation circuitry,

wherein the field shutdown initiation circuitry is configured to send a shutting down signal to a magnetic field in a magnet system when the cable is connected to the magnet system.

9. A device, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing a field shutdown initiation circuitry inside the portable housing;

a cable comprising a first end connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry and a second end including a universal interface configured to be connected to a plurality of magnet systems; and

a switch on the portable housing, the switch configured to control the field shutdown initiation circuitry,

wherein the field shutdown initiation circuitry is configured to send a shutting down signal to a magnetic field in a magnet system when the cable is connected to the magnet system.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the switch is configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry so that the field shutdown initiation circuitry sends a shutting down signal to the magnet system via the cable.

11. A device, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing a field shutdown initiation circuitry inside the portable housing;

a cable comprising a first end connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry and a second end including a universal interface configured to be connected to a plurality of magnet systems; and

a wireless connector, the wireless connector establishes a wireless communication channel between the device and one or more sensors that monitor a magnet room accommodating the magnet system,

wherein the field shutdown initiation circuitry is configured to send a shutting down signal to a magnetic field in a magnet system when the cable is connected to the magnet system.

12. A device, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing a field shutdown initiation circuitry inside the portable housing; and

a cable comprising a first end connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry and a second end including a universal interface configured to be connected to a plurality of magnet systems,

wherein the field shutdown initiation circuitry is configured to send a shutting down signal to a magnetic field in a magnet system when the cable is connected to the magnet system, and

wherein the device is further configured to obtain environmental information from one or more sensors that monitor a magnet room accommodating the magnet system.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a display to display the environmental information of the magnet room.

14. A device, comprising:

a portable housing enclosing a field shutdown initiation circuitry inside the portable housing;

a cable comprising a first end connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry and a second end including a universal interface configured to be connected to a plurality of magnet systems; and

a built-in energy source tester and at least one of the following;

a rechargeable battery of small capacity;

a capacitor bank with a hand crank dynamo;

a special battery that is dormant until activated; and

a receiver that connects with a separate power source,

wherein the field shutdown initiation circuitry is configured to send a shutting down signal to a magnetic field in a magnet system when the cable is connected to the magnet system.

15. A device for shutting down a magnetic field in a magnet system, comprising:

a housing enclosing a field shutdown initiation circuitry inside the housing, the housing configured to be attached to the magnet system;

a communication circuitry disposed in the housing and electronically connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry, the communication circuitry configured to receive a wireless instruction from a remote device,

a switch on the housing, the switch configured to turn on the field shutdown initiation circuitry so that the field shutdown initiation circuitry sends a shutting down signal to the magnet system when the wireless instruction comprises an authentication code confirming an emergency; and

a cable comprising a first end connected to the field shutdown initiation circuitry and a second end configured to be connected to an adapter in the magnet system, wherein the cable establishes a first communication channel between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the communication circuitry is configured to activate a wireless connector to establish a second communication channel between the field shutdown initiation circuitry and the magnet system.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a built-in energy source tester and at least one of the following:

a rechargeable battery of small capacity;

a capacitor bank with a hand crank dynamo;

a special battery that is dormant until activated; and

a receiver that connects with a separate power source.