Mirror system for rebroadcasting video content to scanner patient, and patient support, medical scanner and patient entertainment system using same

Abstract

A mirror system is provided for rebroadcasting video content to a patient on a patient support of a medical scanner. The mirror system includes at least a flexible support arm having opposing first and second ends and a mirror attached to the support arm. The mirror system further includes at least a first support member and a second support member, each support member for mounting at a fixed position relative to the patient support, and each support member including an end. The first and second ends of the support arm are each removably and rotatably coupleable to a respective one of the ends of the support member, and when the support arm is coupled to the end, the support arm forms an arch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to systems for delivering entertainment to patients in medical scanners, and particularly to systems for relaying video content to patients within a medical scanner via a mirror. Background Art

[0002] Medical scanners are important in clinical settings for diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment monitoring. Typically, the patient is required to lie on a scanning bed, which is then positioned within the bore of the scanner before image acquisition is performed. These scans can be lengthy and noisy, and the patient is typically required to lie relatively still within the scanning bore. Furthermore, the scanning bore can be quite narrow, leaving little separation between the patient's body and the inner surface of the scanning bore.

[0003] Not surprisingly, patients often experience claustrophobia and anxiety when undergoing examinations in these scanners. Providing entertainment to patients within the scanner can help distract and relax the patient. This can help improve the patient experience during the medical procedure and potentially improve the quality of the scan by helping to reduce patient restlessness and thereby reduce patient motion. Therefore, there is a need to provide a system for entertaining patients within a medical scanner.

[0004] Furthermore, it is challenging for clinicians to take physiological measurements of a patient while they are in the scanning bore. In particular, clinicians may be interested in reading a patient's vital signs while the patient is being scanned. For example, remote photoplethysmography is an emerging technology that is able to measure vital signs by monitoring skin perfusion. Remote photoplethysmography utilizes an off-the-shelf camera and light source to remotely detect dynamic changes in blood volume under the skin and allows the blood pulsation signal to be extracted. It would be desirable to provide a system for entertaining a patient within a scanner while also allowing clinicians to take remote measurements using the technology used to monitor vital signs.

[0005] Systems already exist that use mirrors to relay video content to patients within medical scanners.

[0006] For example, US5825563 describes a device for reducing claustrophobia in patients in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The device described in US5825563 comprises a reflector mounted on a support arm, wherein the support arm can be mounted on a patient bed of the MRI scanner.

[0007] WO2019068185 describes a device for reducing patient anxiety in a medical scanner. The device described in WO2019068185 comprises a reflector mounted to a support that can be attached to a patient bed.

[0008] WO 2021 / 102587 discloses a mirror system for displaying an image to a patient from a display device (permanently) connected to a patient support and a device for handling collisions of such an arrangement.

[0009] US11185293 B2 discloses a screen for a patient in an imaging device mounted to a movable frame.

[0010] JP2003190112 and US2019 / 277927A1 each disclose a display device attached to a head coil.

[0011] The mirror and its support may get in the way of the patient when getting on and off the patient bed, and the presence of the mirror may increase the feeling of claustrophobia. In addition, different types of scanners and their associated patient supports require different mirror system designs, making the mirror system an expensive option. Therefore, current mirror system designs remain problematic. Summary of the invention

[0012] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0013] According to an example of an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mirror system for relaying video content to a patient on a patient support of a medical scanner, the mirror system comprising:

[0014] a flexible support arm having opposing first and second ends;

[0015] a reflector attached to the support arm; and

[0016] a first support member and a second support member, each support member being adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the patient support and each support member including an end,

[0017] The first and second ends of the support arm are both detachably and rotatably coupled to a corresponding one of the end portions, and when the support arm is coupled to the end portions, the support arm forms an arch shape.

[0018] The mirror system is for mounting to a patient support, such as a patient couch, of a medical scanner.

[0019] The support arm holding the reflector is flexible so that it can be fitted to the support member at different spacings. This means that the same support arm can be used with different patient supports and different support members.

[0020] The support arm forms an arch over the patient support (e.g. over the area where the patient's head is located). The arch can be positioned to follow the inner contour of the bore of the medical scanner so that the mirror system takes up minimal space within the bore. This means that the patient can get on and off the patient support without the mirror system getting in the way.

[0021] The rotatable connection means that the mirror position can be adjusted to give the best view of video content (which is for example provided on a screen remote from the medical scanner), and can be adjusted to make it easiest for the patient to get on and off the patient support.

[0022] The first end of the support arm and the end of the first support member may define a first hinge connection, and the second end of the support arm and the end of the second support member may define a second hinge connection. The two hinge connections on opposite sides of the patient support provide a secure connection with the support member, and the support arm is easy to grasp and adjust.

[0023] The position of the mirror on the flexible support arm may be adjustable. Combined with pivoting of the support arm, this enables the mirror to be moved to a position that provides the patient with an optimal view of the video content.

[0024] Furthermore, the support arm may include a channel, and the reflector may include an interface configured to cooperate with the channel. This enables the position of the reflector to be adjusted by sliding the reflector along the channel of the flexible support arm.

[0025] The system may also include a second reflector attached to the support arm for vital signs monitoring.

[0026] Thus, the first mirror is used to provide entertainment to the patient, and the second mirror can be used to read vital signs. For example, there may be a vital sign camera remote from the scanner (e.g., on a room wall), and the second mirror may be pointed at the patient's cheek or forehead for collecting a remote PPG (rPPG) signal, from which respiration rate and / or heart rate may be extracted.

[0027] The first support member and the second support member may be adapted to be mounted to a patient support. However, the first support member and the second support member may also be adapted to be mounted to a patient coil. That is, the first support member and the second support member may be adapted to be mounted to a patient coil that is fixed relative to the patient support. In all cases, the support members move with the patient support.

[0028] The present invention also provides a patient support system, comprising:

[0029] a patient support; and

[0030] Any of the above mirror systems,

[0031] Wherein the first support member and the second support member of the mirror system are fixed relative to the patient support.

[0032] In addition, the present invention also provides a medical scanner, comprising:

[0033] A scanning system having a bore; and

[0034] The patient support system above,

[0035] Wherein a patient support of the patient support system extends through the bore.

[0036] A flexible support arm of a mirror system of a medical scanner forms an arch that can follow the inner contour of the bore when the support arm is rotated to a fully open position.

[0037] The medical scanner may further comprise a screen for displaying video content, wherein the mirror system is used to provide a viewing path between the patient and the screen.

[0038] The medical scanner may further include a second reflector attached to the support arm for vital sign monitoring, and the medical scanner also includes a vital sign monitoring unit for monitoring the patient using the second reflector. The vital sign monitoring unit may include a remote PPG camera for monitoring heart rate and / or respiratory rate.

[0039] The present invention also provides a patient entertainment system for use during a medical scan, wherein the patient is on a patient support of the medical scanner, the entertainment system comprising:

[0040] A screen for displaying video content; and

[0041] Any of the mirror systems described above for providing a viewing path between the patient and the screen.

[0042] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] For a better understanding of the invention, and in order to more clearly show how the invention may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 A mirror system for relaying video content to a patient on a patient support in a medical scanner is shown;

[0045] Figure 2 A patient support system is shown;

[0046] Figure 3A flexible support arm of a reflector system is shown manually connected to a first support member and a second support member;

[0047] Figure 4 A patient support system is shown wherein a first support member and a second support member are mounted to a patient coil;

[0048] Figure 5 A medical scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 6 A medical scanner including a screen for displaying video content is shown;

[0050] Figure 7 A medical scanner comprising a screen for displaying video content, a second mirror, and a vital signs monitoring unit is shown; and

[0051] Figure 8 A patient entertainment system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system and method, are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, system and method of the invention will be better understood from the following description, claims and drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar components.

[0054] The present invention provides a mirror system, a patient support, a medical scanner, and a patient entertainment system for relaying video content to a scanner patient. Each of the patient support, the medical scanner, and the patient entertainment system uses a mirror system. The mirror system includes a flexible support arm that can be reversibly, detachably, and rotatably coupled to a first support member and a second support member.

[0055] Figure 1 A reflector system 100 is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reflector system includes a flexible support arm 10 having an opposing first end 12a and a second end 12b. The flexible support arm 10 is attached to a reflector 20, which is located between the first end 12a and the second end 12b. The reflector system also includes a first support member 14a and a second support member 14b, each support member being adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to a patient support. Each support member includes ends 16a, 16b.

[0056] Figure 1A first end 12a and a second end 12b of the support arm 10 are shown coupled to a respective one of the end portions 16a, 16b. Figure 1 As shown, when the support arm 10 is coupled to the ends 16a, 16b, the support arm forms an arch.

[0057] There already exist mirror systems for directing video content to a patient on a patient support of a medical scanner. However, the inventors of the present invention have realised that providing a system comprising a flexible support arm that can be detachably and rotatably coupled to two support members enables the same mirror to be used for different patient supports. That is, the mirror system can be coupled to one patient support, such as a patient couch of a medical scanner, but then transferred to a different patient support having a different design than the first patient support. Thus, it can be removed and reattached whenever necessary. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have designed a more economical mirror system that can be used on several different scanners. The scanner only needs to be equipped with support members of suitable design so that the support arm ends 12a, 12b can be connected to them. The flexible support arm design allows some freedom in the precise spacing between the support members.

[0058] The flexible support arm 10 can be easily locked to the support members 14a, 14b. The flexible support arm 10 and the support members 14a, 14b can be configured so that the support arm can be moved to different states (i.e., open, closed, and intermediate positions). Any suitable locking and unlocking couplings can be used. For example, additional fasteners can be applied to connect the end and the end. Alternatively, the support arm can be connected to the support member at an angle orientation (e.g., the support arm is laid flat on the patient support) and can be released from the support member, but once rotated to an active position (e.g., the support arm is raised onto the patient support and over the patient's head), the support arm is locked to the support member. Preferably, the connection between the support arm and the support member does not require the use of any tools.

[0059] Figure 2 Shown include Figure 1 The mirror system 100 and the patient support system 110 of the patient support 30 are shown. Figure 1The reflector system 100 is mounted to the patient support 30 via the first support member 14a and the second support member 14b. In this example, the first support member 14a and the second support member 14b are directly mounted to the patient support. However, in other embodiments, an intermediate component may be provided between the first support member 14a and the second support member 14b and the patient support 30. Since the arm support 10 is flexible, slight changes in the spacing or positioning of the first support member 14a and the second support member 14b on the patient support 30 will not prevent the arm support from being coupled to the first support member 14a and the second support member 14b, as described above. This provides the following benefits: slightly different types of support members 14a, 14b and / or patient supports 30 and / or the positioning of support members 14a, 14b on the patient support 30 can be used with the same support arm. This provides a more versatile system for use in a clinical environment. Although the support arm 10 is flexible, it is also designed to be strong enough to hold the reflector 20 in place to withstand vibrations introduced by a patient or a medical scanner.

[0060] Figure 2 It is also shown how the patient can be positioned on the patient support 30 so that the reflector 20 of the patient support system 110 is positioned within the patient's line of sight. This enables video content to be directed to the patient lying on the patient support 30, reflected from a remote video source.

[0061] Figure 2 Also shown is a second reflector 40. This is used to provide a line of sight between the vital signs camera (which is remote from the scanner) and the patient (e.g. the patient's cheek or forehead). The vital signs camera is for example a remote PPG (rPPG) system from which the breathing rate and / or heart rate can be extracted.

[0062] Figure 3 The flexible support arm 10 of the mirror system is shown manually connected to the first and second support members 14a, 14b. The size of the support arm 10 is such that an operator standing beside the patient support can easily couple the support arm 10 to the support members 14a, 14b.

[0063] Figure 4A patient support system 120 is shown in which a first support member 14a and a second support member 14b are mounted to a patient coil 50. Although the present invention is of interest to all imaging modalities, medical resonance imaging (MRI) is of particular interest due to the associated long scan times. Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields to generate images within the body. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an MRI system includes several different types of coils. In particular, an MRI system will include superconducting coils for generating a static magnetic field, a set of gradient coils for generating magnetic field gradients, and radio frequency (RF) coils for sending and receiving RF pulses.

[0064] Furthermore, local coils may be applied to a patient within the bore of the scanner, and these local coils will be referred to as “patient coils.” The patient coil 50 may include a plurality of individual coil elements, and the term “patient coil” should be construed accordingly.

[0065] Thus, it should be appreciated that the first support member 14a and the second support member 14b may be mounted directly to the patient support 30, or they may be mounted to a patient coil 50 that is fixed relative to the patient support 30, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0066] The support arm 10 may, for example, include a channel for adjusting the position of the reflector 20. In some embodiments, the position of the second reflector 40 may also be adjusted. Either or both of the reflectors 20 and 40 may include an interface (not shown) configured to cooperate with the channel. Thus, the reflector position may be adjusted by sliding the reflectors 20, 40 along the channel.

[0067] Figure 5 A medical scanner 1000 is shown including a scanning system 200 having a bore 210 and a patient support system 110. The patient support system 110 is Figure 6 However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that typically the patient will be positioned on the patient support 30 while the patient support is outside the bore, and then the patient support 30 will be slowly moved into the bore 30 such that the patient support system 110 extends through the bore 30. In all embodiments, the patient support system includes the mirror system 100.

[0068] Figure 6 A medical scanner 1000 is shown comprising a scanning system 200 and a screen 60 for displaying video content. The screen 60 is arranged relative to the mirror 20 such that the video content can be relayed to a patient positioned on a patient support 30.

[0069] It is desirable that the mirror system occupy as little space in the bore as possible to avoid causing any unnecessary claustrophobia to the patient. Figure 7As shown, the flexible support arm 10 forms an arch over the patient. The support arm can be positioned so that when it is in the fully open position, it follows the inner contour of the bore. Preferably, the support arm can fit almost flush with the inner surface of the bore of the scanner so that the support arm takes up minimal space within the scanner. This arrangement means that the patient can get on and off the patient support 30 without being obstructed by the mirror system. In addition, this has the advantage that the desired distance between the patient's eyes and the mirrors is maintained. The ring can be sized to fit a bore diameter of approximately 60 cm or a bore diameter of approximately 70 cm.

[0070] Figure 7 Also shown is a medical scanner 1000 including a scanning system 200 and a screen 60 for displaying video content. In addition, the medical scanner 1000 also includes a second reflector 40 and a vital sign monitoring unit 70. The vital sign monitoring unit 70 can be positioned on the wall of the scanning room, and the second reflector 40 can be pointed at the patient's cheek or forehead. The vital sign monitoring unit 70 may include an rPPG camera for collecting rPPG signals from the patient. This enables the clinician to determine the patient's heart rate and / or respiratory rate. It should be understood that other vital sign monitoring means besides rPPG monitoring can be used.

[0071] Figure 8 A patient entertainment system is shown including a screen 60 for displaying video content and a mirror system 100 . Figure 8 Also shown (with details hidden) is a channel 11 along which one or more mirrors can be slid to adjust the position of the mirrors along the support arm.

[0072] By studying the drawings, the disclosure and the claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments.In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the attributive "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0073] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0074] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "device" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "device" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system" and vice versa.

[0075] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A mirror system (100) for relaying video content to a patient on a patient support (30) of a medical scanner (200), the mirror system comprising: a flexible support arm (10) having opposing first and second ends (12a, 12b); a reflector (20) attached to the support arm; as well as a first support member (14a) and a second support member (14b), each support member being adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the patient support and each support member including an end portion (16a, 16b), Wherein, the first and second ends of the support arm are each detachably and rotatably coupled to a corresponding one of the end portions, and when the support arm is coupled to the end portions, the support arm forms an arch.

2. The reflector system according to claim 1, wherein: The first end of the support arm and the end of the first support member define a first hinge connection, and the second end of the support arm and the end of the second support member define a second hinge connection.

3. The reflector system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The position of the reflector on the flexible support arm is adjustable.

4. The reflector system according to claim 3, wherein: The support arm includes a channel (11), and the reflector also includes an interface configured to cooperate with the channel.

5. The reflector system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a second reflector (40) attached to the support arm for vital sign monitoring.

6. The reflector system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The first support member and the second support member are for mounting to the patient support.

7. The reflector system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The first support member and the second support member are adapted to be mounted to a patient coil (50).

8. A patient support system (110), comprising: a patient support (30); and The reflector system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Wherein the first support member and the second support member of the mirror system are fixed relative to the patient support.

9. A medical scanner (1000), comprising: A scanning system (200) having a bore (210); and The patient support system (110) according to claim 8, wherein the patient support of the patient support system extends through the bore.

10. The medical scanner of claim 9, wherein: The flexible support arm of the reflector system forms an arch that follows the inner contour of the bore when the support arm is rotated to a fully open position.

11. The medical scanner according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a screen (60) for displaying video content, wherein The mirror system is used to provide a viewing path between the patient and the screen.

12. The medical scanner according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The mirror system comprises a second mirror (40) for vital sign monitoring attached to the support arm, and wherein the medical scanner comprises a vital sign monitoring unit (70) for monitoring the patient using the second mirror.

13. The medical scanner of claim 12, wherein: The vital signs monitoring unit includes a remote PPG camera for monitoring heart rate and / or respiratory rate.

14. A patient entertainment system (2000) for use during a medical scan, wherein: The patient is on a patient support of a medical scanner, the entertainment system comprising: a screen (60) for displaying video content; and A mirror system (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, for providing a viewing path between the patient and the screen.

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