Scanning support for infant magnetic resonance scanning

Abstract

The utility model provides a scanning support for infant magnetic resonance scanning, which is placed on a sickbed of magnetic resonance scanning equipment to support an infant to be examined, and comprises a support main body which comprises a body supporting part and a head and neck supporting part, a flexible coil placing surface is arranged on the body supporting part and is used for supporting the body of the infant; the sound insulation pad is arranged on the head and neck supporting part, and part of the sound insulation pad is located between the ears of the infant and the head and neck supporting part. The baby cradle can be well matched with and utilize standard basic coils of a system, such as a head and neck coil, a medium-sized flexible coil and a small-sized flexible coil, can complete whole-body scanning and examination on the head, the spine, the abdomen and the four limbs of a baby, can be used as a baby cradle, is convenient for fixing and preparing the baby in advance, has a noise reduction function, and is convenient to use. The scanning preparation process is optimized, and the scanning time is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of infant magnetic resonance scanning, and particularly relates to a scanning bracket for infant magnetic resonance scanning. Background Art

[0002] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a high-tech imaging technology that uses the resonance characteristics of a living organism's magnetic nuclei (hydrogen nuclei) in a static magnetic field. MRI does not rely on radiation to penetrate the human body. Compared to other imaging tests such as CT and X-rays, MRI offers advantages such as non-invasiveness, low risk, no ionizing radiation, high soft tissue contrast, and true three-dimensional image display. Therefore, MRI has been widely used in the diagnosis of pediatric diseases.

[0003] Since children under two years old account for approximately 70% of all pediatric MRI examinations, and congenital diseases pose a serious threat to their health, clinical experts are eager to find better solutions for infant and toddler MRI scans. For infant and toddler MRI scans, most hospitals use existing adult coils, with only a few purchasing dedicated pediatric coils. Existing adult coils, at low fields or 1.5T, still offer insufficient image quality for infants because the coil's element distribution and size are not specifically designed for infants. At higher field strengths, such as 3T, while adult coils generally meet image signal-to-noise ratio requirements, existing coils cannot support multi-directional IPAT acceleration due to the smaller size of infants. Furthermore, dedicated coils are expensive, bulky, and heavy, resulting in low procurement and utilization rates. Furthermore, preparation for infant MRI scans takes a long time, and infants struggle to remain still and cooperate during scanning, resulting in image artifacts due to their movements. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a scanning stand for magnetic resonance scanning of infants and young children, which can well adapt to and utilize the basic coils that come standard with the system, such as head and neck coils, medium-sized flexible coils, small-sized flexible coils, etc., and can complete full-body scanning and examination of the infant's head, spine, abdomen and limbs. It can also serve as a cradle for infants and young children, making it convenient to fix and prepare the infants and young children in advance. At the same time, it has a noise reduction function, optimizes the scanning preparation process, and saves scanning time.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned and other related purposes, the present invention provides a scanning support for infant magnetic resonance scanning, which is placed on a bed of an MRI scanner to support the infant being examined, comprising:

[0006] A support body, comprising a body support portion and a head and neck support portion, wherein the body support portion is provided with a flexible coil placement surface and is used to support the body of an infant;

[0007] A sound insulation pad is provided on the head and neck supporting portion and is partially located between the ear of the infant and the head and neck supporting portion.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the bracket body is made of a hard foam plastic layer and a high-elastic plastic foam layer covering the upper surface of the hard foam plastic layer.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a handle structure is provided on at least one side of the body supporting portion.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the area on the body supporting portion where the flexible coil is placed is recessed downward relative to the surface of other areas.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, slots are provided on two opposite sides of the body supporting portion, straps are installed in the slots, and the straps are detachably connected to the slots.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the head and neck supporting part is higher than the upper surface of the body supporting part. When the head and neck supporting part is placed in the head coil, the head accommodated in the head and neck supporting part is located in the center of the head coil.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, an ear protection cavity is formed on the sound insulation pad, and the ear protection cavity is arranged corresponding to the ear.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sound insulation pad and the head and neck support part are detachably installed.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sound insulation pad is made of high-elastic foam plastic.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sound insulation pad has an arc-shaped structure and half wraps the head of the infant.

[0017] The present invention proposes a scanning bracket for magnetic resonance imaging of infants and young children, which designs the main body of the bracket as a body supporting part for supporting the trunk, and provides straps on the trunk part for fixing the body of the infant and young child, so that it can be used to scan the abdomen, lower limbs or limb joints, so that the bracket can complete the whole-body scanning and examination of the spine, abdomen and limbs of the infant and young child, and support multi-directional IPAT acceleration of the abdomen and spine. The bracket can be well adapted to the basic coils that come standard with the system, such as the head and neck coil, the medium-sized flexible coil, the spine coil, and the small-sized flexible coil. The medium-sized flexible coil can be used as the spine coil for the infant and young child. The size and distribution of the coil units are more suitable for the size of the infant and young child's body and spine, and can support IPAT acceleration in the left and right directions.

[0018] The present invention proposes a scanning stand for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning of infants and young children. The stand is provided with a soundproof pad on the head and neck support portion that supports the head. The head and neck support portion can perfectly match the head and neck coil and raise the center of the infant's head to the center of the magnet, making the image quality more uniform. The soundproof pad also has a noise reduction function and can reduce image artifacts caused by the movement of the infant's head during the scan. The soundproof pad is made of highly elastic foam plastic and has ear protection pockets on both sides. While ensuring a close fit between the pad and the ear, it protects the ear from discomfort caused by excessive squeezing. In addition to its soundproofing effect, the soundproof pad also uses the highly elastic material to squeeze the infant's head to a certain extent from both sides, thereby fixing the infant's head and reducing image artifacts caused by the movement of the infant's head during the scan.

[0019] This utility model provides a scanning stand for infant MRI scans. Made entirely of foam plastic, the stand is lightweight and easy to move. Equipped with straps and handles, it facilitates pre-secured infant preparation and transport to a hospital bed. The stand also doubles as a cradle, facilitating pre-secured infant preparation and easier installation and positioning for convenient use. The stand, which lacks electrical components and is fabricated using only different types of plastic, offers a simple design and lower costs, making it more affordable than existing dedicated pediatric coils. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a scanning bracket in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the integration of a scanning support, a head coil, and a spine coil in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an infant lying flat on a scanning support in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a main body of a scanning bracket in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Description of labels:

[0026] 100. Scanning bracket; 10. Bracket body; 20. Sound insulation pad; 11. Torso support part; 12. Head and neck support part; 111. Flexible coil placement surface; 112. First flexible coil; 113. Slot; 114. Strap; 115. Second flexible coil; 116. Notch; 101. Head and neck coil; 102. Spine coil; 21. Ear protection socket; 117. Cable; 118. Handle structure; 119. Hard foam plastic layer; 110. High-elastic plastic foam layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the other advantages and benefits of the present invention from the disclosure herein. The present invention may also be implemented or applied through various other specific embodiments, and the details in this specification may be modified or altered based on different perspectives and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are only used to schematically illustrate the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component can be changed at will, and the component layout type may also be more complicated.

[0029] For MRI scans of infants and young children, preparations before the scan are of utmost importance. To ensure the quality of the scan image, the infant can be tightly wrapped in a blanket, adequately fed before the examination, appropriately deprived of sleep, psychologically comforted, and even sedated and anesthetized to reduce image artifacts caused by the infant's activities, thereby increasing the success rate of the examination. However, this process takes a long time, and sedation and anesthesia may pose health risks to infants and young children. At the same time, MRI scanning has a lot of noise, which can harm the infant's hearing if it is not protected. However, the system's standard headphones or additional earplugs and cushions are not suitable for infants and young children, and still cannot provide good size matching and hearing protection. Therefore, the utility model proposes a scanning bracket for magnetic resonance scanning of infants and young children, which can well adapt to and utilize the basic coils that come standard with the system, such as the head and neck coil, the medium-sized flexible coil, the small-sized flexible coil, etc., and can complete the whole-body scanning and examination of the infant's head, spine, abdomen and limbs. It can also serve as a cradle for infants and young children, making it convenient to fix and prepare the infants and young children in advance. At the same time, it has a noise reduction function, optimizes the scanning preparation process, and saves scanning time.

[0030] See also Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the scanning bracket 100 includes a bracket body 10 and a sound insulation pad 20. The bracket body 10 includes a body support part 11 and a head and neck support part 12. The body support part 11 is used to support the body of the infant, and the head and neck support part 12 is used to support the head and neck position of the infant. The sound insulation pad 20 is arranged in the head and neck support part 12 and is partially located between the infant's ear and the head and neck support part 12 to fix the infant's head and isolate noise.

[0031] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, a flexible coil placement surface 111 is provided on the body support portion 11, and the flexible coil placement surface 111 is used to place the first flexible coil 112, and the area of ​​the flexible coil placement surface 111 is recessed downward relative to the surfaces of other areas on the body support portion 11. When the first flexible coil 112 is placed on the flexible coil placement surface 111, the upper surface of the first flexible coil 112 is flush with the surfaces of other areas on the body support portion 11, so as to improve the comfort of the infant when lying flat, and prevent the infant from feeling uncomfortable and moving.

[0032] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, slots 113 are provided on opposite sides of the body support portion 11, and straps 114 can be inserted and installed in the slots 113, and the straps 114 are detachably connected to the slots 113. It can be understood that in this embodiment, in order to ensure the fixation of the infant's body, at least two straps 114 are provided on the body support portion 11. The at least two straps 114 can be arranged in parallel and spaced apart to be tied to the infant's limbs, or can be tied crosswise to the infant's limbs. The straps 114 are used to fix the infant's body and a second flexible coil 115 of other sizes (such as a small flexible coil) that may be used to scan the abdomen, lower limbs or limb joints. For example, please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the existing medium-sized flexible coil, when rotated 90 degrees, is just the right size for infants under two years old (e.g., the child model in the figure is 85 cm tall). Through the support of this bracket and the matching and fixation of the medium-sized flexible coil, the medium-sized flexible coil can be used for pediatric spine and whole-body scans. Furthermore, since commonly used medium-sized flexible coils typically have 2-3 rows of units, they can still meet the requirements for IPAT acceleration in the left and right directions for infant scans when rotated 90 degrees. That is, the scanning bracket 100 can be well adapted to the system's standard basic coils, such as the head and neck coil 101, spine coil 102, medium-sized flexible coil, small-sized flexible coil, etc. The medium-sized flexible coil can be used as an infant spine coil. The coil unit size and distribution are more suitable for the size of the infant's body and spine, and can support IPAT acceleration in the left and right directions. In this embodiment, a notch 116 or through-hole is provided on at least one side of the torso support portion 11 to facilitate the passage of the flexible coil cable 117.

[0033] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the inner surface of the head and neck support part 12 is higher than the upper surface of the body support part 11. When the head and neck support part 12 is placed in the head and neck coil 101, the head accommodated in the head and neck support part 12 is located at the center of the head and neck coil 101. That is, the bracket body 10 of the scanning bracket 100 is perfectly matched with the head and neck coil and the thickness of the head and neck support part 12 is designed, so that the head and neck support part 12 can be perfectly matched with the head and neck coil, so that the center of the infant's head can be raised to the center of the head coil (the center of the magnet), thereby enabling the use of an adult head and neck coil to scan infants and young children, and the scanned image quality is more uniform.

[0034] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, a sound insulation pad 20 is arranged on the inner surface of the head and neck support part 12, and an ear protection cavity 21 is formed on the sound insulation pad 20. When the infant's head is placed in the head and neck support part 12, the ear protection cavity 21 corresponds to the infant's ear. The sound insulation pad 20 has a noise reduction function, which can reduce image artifacts caused by the movement of the infant's head during the scanning process. At the same time, the sound insulation pad 20 is made of high-elastic foam plastic, and ear protection cavities 21 are designed on both sides thereof. While ensuring that the sound insulation pad 20 fits tightly with the ear to isolate the noise, it can also protect the ear from discomfort caused by excessive squeezing.

[0035] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the sound insulation pad 20 has an arc-shaped structure. When the infant's head is placed in the head and neck support part 12, the arc-shaped sound insulation pad 20 half wraps the infant's head. Moreover, since the sound insulation pad 20 is made of high-elastic foam plastic, its high-elastic material squeezes the infant's head to a certain extent from both sides, thereby fixing the infant's head and reducing image artifacts caused by the movement of the infant's head during scanning.

[0036] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the sound insulation pad 20 and the head and neck support part 12 are detachably connected, for example, they can be installed together by Velcro, snaps or other means, so that a more suitable sound insulation pad 20 can be replaced according to the sound insulation pad 20 and the size of the infant's head, thereby improving the support and fixation effect on the head and the noise isolation effect.

[0037] See also Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, a handle structure 118 is provided on at least one side of the body support portion 11, which can facilitate the movement of the entire bracket, especially during busy hours. The infant or child can be placed on the bracket outside the machine room first, and then the handle structure 118 can be used to place the bracket with the infant or child on the bed, and integrated with other coils such as the head and neck coil, and can be used for scanning the head and spine. At the same time, the scanning bracket 100 can also serve as a cradle for infants and children, which is convenient for fixing and preparing infants and children in advance, easier to install and position, convenient for customers to use, and improves scanning efficiency.

[0038] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the bracket body 10 is made of a hard foam plastic layer 119 and a high-elastic plastic foam layer 110 covering the upper surface of the hard foam plastic layer 119. This structure can ensure the strength of the bracket while also meeting the comfort. Since the entire bracket is made of foam plastic, the overall weight is light and easy to move. At the same time, the scanning bracket 100 does not have electrical properties and is only processed using different types of plastics. It has a simple design and lower cost. Compared with existing dedicated pediatric coils, it is cheaper.

[0039] This utility model proposes a scanning stand for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of infants and young children. By designing the main body of the stand as a torso support, and providing straps on the torso to secure the infant's body, the stand can be used to scan the abdomen, lower limbs, or joints of the limbs. This allows the stand to complete full-body scans and examinations of the infant's spine, abdomen, and limbs, while supporting multi-directional IPAT acceleration of the abdomen and spine. The stand is well adapted to the system's standard basic coils, such as the head and neck coil, medium flexible coil, spine coil, and small flexible coil. The medium flexible coil can be used as the infant's spine coil. The coil unit size and distribution are more suitable for the size of the infant's body and spine, and it supports IPAT acceleration in both left and right directions.

[0040] The present invention proposes a scanning stand for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning of infants and young children. The stand is provided with a soundproof pad on the head and neck support portion that supports the head. The head and neck support portion can perfectly match the head and neck coil and raise the center of the infant's head to the center of the magnet, making the image quality more uniform. The soundproof pad also has a noise reduction function and can reduce image artifacts caused by the movement of the infant's head during the scan. The soundproof pad is made of highly elastic foam plastic and has ear protection pockets on both sides. While ensuring a close fit between the pad and the ear, it protects the ear from discomfort caused by excessive squeezing. In addition to its soundproofing effect, the soundproof pad also uses the highly elastic material to squeeze the infant's head to a certain extent from both sides, thereby fixing the infant's head and reducing image artifacts caused by the movement of the infant's head during the scan.

[0041] This utility model provides a scanning stand for infant MRI scans. Made entirely of foam plastic, the stand is lightweight and easy to move. Equipped with straps and handles, it facilitates pre-secured infant preparation and transport to a hospital bed. The stand also doubles as a cradle, facilitating pre-secured infant preparation and easier installation and positioning for convenient use. The stand, which lacks electrical components and is fabricated using only different types of plastic, offers a simple design and lower costs, making it more affordable than existing dedicated pediatric coils.

[0042] It should be understood that references throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "a specific embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, various appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment" in different places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined with one or more other embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are considered part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0043] It should also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the figures may also be implemented in a more separate or more integrated manner, or even removed because they are inoperable in certain circumstances or provided because they may be useful depending on the application.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the concept of the utility model, such as the technical solutions formed by the mutual replacement of the above-mentioned features with the technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application (but not limited to).

[0045] Except for the technical features described in the specification, the remaining technical features are known technologies to those skilled in the art. In order to highlight the innovative features of the present invention, the remaining technical features will not be described here in detail.

Claims

1. A scanning support for infant magnetic resonance scanning, which is placed on a bed of an MRI scanner to support the infant being examined, characterized in that: include: A support body, comprising a body support portion and a head and neck support portion, wherein the body support portion is provided with a flexible coil placement surface and is used to support the body of an infant; A sound insulation pad is provided on the head and neck supporting portion and is partially located between the ear of the infant and the head and neck supporting portion.

2. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket body is made of a hard foam plastic layer and a high-elastic plastic foam layer covering the upper surface of the hard foam plastic layer.

3. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one side of the body supporting portion is provided with a handle structure.

4. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The area on the body supporting portion where the flexible coil is placed is recessed downward relative to surfaces of other areas.

5. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: Slots are provided on two opposite sides of the body supporting part, and straps are installed in the slots, and the straps are detachably connected to the slots.

6. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the head and neck supporting portion is higher than the upper surface of the body supporting portion. When the head and neck supporting portion is placed in the head coil, the head accommodated in the head and neck supporting portion is located at the center of the head coil.

7. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: An ear protection cavity is formed on the sound insulation pad, and the ear protection cavity is arranged corresponding to the ear.

8. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sound insulation pad and the head and neck support part are detachably installed.

9. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sound insulation pad is made of high-elastic foam plastic.

10. The scanning stand for infant MRI scanning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sound insulation pad has an arc-shaped structure and half wraps the head of the infant.

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