Device for holding an animal in a magnetic resonance imaging system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (4) for holding an animal in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The device (4) comprises: - a bottom plate (6) provided with a first face (6a) and with a second face (6b) opposite the first face (6a); - two side walls (7, 8) extending from the second face (6b) on the same side of the second face; - two guide rails (9) arranged on the second face (6b) that extend transversely; and - two mounting bases (10) mounted so as to slide inside each guide rail, each side wall (7, 8) being removably mounted on one of the mounting bases of each rail; - each mounting base (10) supporting a manually actuable locking device that is capable of co-operating with the associated rail in order to lock the base in position along the rail (9).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DEVICE FOR HOLDING AN ANIMAL IN AN IMAGING SYSTEM

[0003] MAGNETIC RESONANCE

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, and more particularly to a holding device for holding an animal in a magnetic resonance imaging system, and a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising such a holding device.

[0005] Typically, a magnetic resonance imaging system includes an examination tunnel, a table, and a processing module that reconstructs images from data generated by an array of antennas located in the tunnel and / or on the table.

[0006] The patient is positioned on the table which is inserted into the examination tunnel.

[0007] The patient is positioned and held on the table by positioning means to obtain good quality images allowing their reliable interpretation.

[0008] The positioning means are adapted to the human body so that such means are not suitable for performing an MRI examination of an animal, for example a pet such as a dog or a cat.

[0009] It is known to implement a U-shaped mattress with a bottom and two side walls to position the animal on the table.

[0010] The animal is for example a dog.

[0011] The animal is held in the mattress so that the animal's spine rests on the bottom of the mattress, with the animal's legs above the mattress relative to the table.

[0012] The mattress is inserted between the table and the animal.

[0013] However, such a mattress is not adaptable to all animal sizes. In addition, as the mattress is inserted between the animal and the table, depending on the thickness of the mattress, the animal is moved away from the table so that the signal emitted by the antenna network located on the table is no longer sufficient to generate good quality images.

[0014] It is also necessary to lift the animal to position it on the mattress.

[0015] In addition, if the animal is large, the combined height of the mattress and the animal in relation to the table is greater than the corresponding dimension of the examination tunnel, preventing the mattress from being inserted into the examination tunnel.

[0016] In view of the above, the invention proposes to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0017] The invention relates to a device for holding an animal in a magnetic resonance imaging system.

[0018] The device includes:

[0019] - a base plate provided with a first face intended to rest on a table of the magnetic resonance imaging system, and a second face opposite the first face,

[0020] - two side walls extending from the second face of the bottom plate on the same side of said second face,

[0021] - two guide rails arranged on the second face of the base plate and extending transversely, and

[0022] - two mounting bases slidably mounted inside each guide rail, each side wall being removably mounted on one of the mounting bases of each rail,

[0023] - each mounting base supporting a manually operable locking device capable of cooperating with the associated rail to lock said base in position along said rail.

[0024] The transverse distance separating the side walls can be easily adjusted according to the size of the animal to maintain it during the MRI examination in order to obtain good quality images to make a weak diagnosis.

[0025] The holding device is adaptable to animals of different sizes and morphologies, for example from 200 g to 80 kg. In addition, as the side walls are removably mounted on the mounting bases, it is sufficient to remove one of the walls to slide the animal onto the base plate, facilitating the positioning of the animal for the MRI examination without having to lift it.

[0026] According to a first embodiment, each locking device comprises a pad movable between an inactive position allowing the associated mounting base to slide in the associated guide rail, and an active locking position locking said mounting base in position, the pad being in contact with the associated rail in the active locking position.

[0027] Advantageously, each locking device further comprises a manually operable lever for moving the pad from the inactive position to the active position, and vice versa.

[0028] Preferably, the locking device comprises an eccentric holding the lever in the active position.

[0029] Advantageously, each side wall comprises, at each of its ends, a housing inside which one of the mounting bases extends in part.

[0030] Preferably, each base includes a cylindrical stud extending into the associated housing in the side wall, and an anti-rotation tab extending projecting from the stud inserted into a complementary shaped groove which extends the associated housing.

[0031] According to a second embodiment, each locking device comprises a cam movable between an inactive position allowing the associated mounting base to slide in the associated guide rail, and an active locking position locking said mounting base in position, the cam being in contact with the associated rail in the active locking position.

[0032] Preferably, each locking device further comprises a manually operable lever for moving the cam from the inactive position to the active position, and vice versa.

[0033] Advantageously, each side wall comprises, at each of its ends, an assembly pin and each mounting base comprises a housing inside which one of the assembly pins extends in part.

[0034] Advantageously, the device further comprises a means for supporting the animal and means for fixing the support means to the side walls so that the support means extends between the two side walls and at a distance from the second face of the base plate.

[0035] Also provided is a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising an examination tunnel, a table intended to be inserted into the examination tunnel, and a holding device as defined above, the first face of the bottom plate resting on the table.

[0036] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0037] [Fig 1] schematically illustrates an example of a magnetic resonance imaging system according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig 2] schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a holding device according to the invention;

[0039] [Fig 3] is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a mounting base of the holding device of Fig. 2;

[0040] [Fig 4] schematically illustrates the first embodiment of the mounting base of Figure 3 and a side wall associated with the first embodiment of the holding device of Figure 2;

[0041] [Fig 5] schematically illustrates an example profile of a guide rail of the holding device of the figure;

[0042] [Fig 6] schematically illustrates another example of a holding device according to the invention;

[0043] [Fig 7] is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the mounting base of the holding device; and

[0044] [Fig 8] schematically illustrates the second embodiment of the mounting base of Figure 7 and a side wall associated with the second embodiment of said base.

[0045] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a magnetic resonance imaging system 1.

[0046] The magnetic resonance imaging system 1 comprises an examination tunnel 2, a table 3 intended to be inserted into the examination tunnel 2 to carry out an MRI magnetic resonance imaging examination, and a holding device 4 resting on the table 3.

[0047] An animal 5 is positioned and held in the holding device 4 to perform a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, for example of the spine of a dog.

[0048] As detailed in the following, the holding device 4 is adaptable to different sizes of animals.

[0049] The holding device 4 comprises a base plate 6 and two parallel side walls 7, 8.

[0050] The base plate 6 has a first face 6a resting on the table 3 and a second face 6b opposite the first face 6a on which the animal 5 rests. The first and second faces 6a, 6b delimit the thickness of the base plate 6.

[0051] The first face 6a of the bottom plate is adapted to match the shape of the table 3. As shown here, the first face 6a can be curved.

[0052] Alternatively, the first face 6a is flat.

[0053] The side walls 7, 8 extend from the second face 6b of the bottom plate 6 on the same side of the second face 6b. The side walls 7, 8 extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the table 3 into the examination tunnel 2.

[0054] The maximum length of the holding device 4 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is chosen so that the device 4 placed on the table 3 can be inserted into the tunnel 2.

[0055] As detailed in the following, each of the two side walls 7, 8 is mounted on the second face 6b with the possibility of sliding in the transverse direction so as to be able to vary the transverse distance D between the two side walls 7, 8 according to the size of the animal 5.

[0056] The transverse distance D is adjusted so that the animal 5 is held between the two side walls 7, 8.

[0057] The holding device 4 makes it possible to hold the animal 5 having a size and morphology corresponding for example to a mass of between 200 g and 80 kg.

[0058] The thickness of the base plate 6 defined between the first and second faces 6a, 6b is chosen so that when the table 3 comprises sensors, the magnetic fields emitted and received by said sensors make it possible to reconstruct an image of sufficient quality to establish a reliable diagnosis when reading the image.

[0059] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the holding device 4.

[0060] The second face 6b of the base plate 6 is provided with two guide rails 9 extending transversely and here joining the two edges of the base plate 6. Each guide rail 9 is mounted at a longitudinal end of the second face 6b of the base plate.

[0061] The holding device 4 further comprises a pair of mounting bases 10 slidably mounted inside each guide rail 9.

[0062] Each side wall 7, 8 is removably mounted on one of the mounting bases 10 of each guide rail 9.

[0063] As shown in Figure 2, the first wall 7 is detached from the bottom plate 6 allowing the animal 5 to slide, placed for example on a stretcher (not shown) located at the height of the bottom plate 6, onto the bottom plate 6. The removal of the first wall 7 from the bottom plate 6 makes it easier to install the animal 5 in the holding device 4, in particular when the animal 5 has a significant mass, for example greater than 30 kg, avoiding having to carry the animal 5.

[0064] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of one of the mounting bases 10, the bases being identical to each other.

[0065] The mounting base 10 comprises a body 11 supporting a manually actuable locking device 12 and cooperating with the associated rail 9 to lock said base 10 in position along said rail 9.

[0066] The body 11 comprises a first end 11a comprising a groove 12 intended to be inserted into the associated rail 9, a hole 13 receiving the locking device 12, and a second end 11b comprising a cylindrical pin 14 intended to be introduced into an associated housing of the side wall 7, 8.

[0067] The second end 14 further comprises an anti-rotation tab 15 extending projecting from the pin 14 and intended to be inserted into a groove of complementary shape which extends the associated housing of the side wall 7, 8.

[0068] The manually operable locking device 12 comprises a pad 16 movable between an inactive unlocking position allowing the sliding of said associated mounting base 10 in the associated guide rail 9 and an active locking position blocking said mounting base 10 in position in the associated rail 9.

[0069] The movable shoe 16 is in contact with the associated rail 9 in the active locking position to obtain friction locking.

[0070] The movable shoe 16 comprises a rod 17 having a hole 18, the rod 17 passing through the hole 13 of the body 11.

[0071] The locking device 12 further comprises a washer 19 through which the rod 17 passes and which bears on the body 11, an eccentric 20 which bears on the washer 19 and through which the rod 17 passes, a manually actuable lever 21 resting on the eccentric and comprising holes 22, and an axis 23 passing through the holes 22 of the lever 21 and the hole 18 of the pad 16 so that manual actuation of the lever 21 makes it possible to translate the movable pad 16 between the inactive position and the active position, and vice versa.

[0072] The eccentric 20 makes it possible to hold the lever 21 so that the shoe 15 remains in the active position.

[0073] Figure 4 schematically illustrates an example of the first embodiment of the base 10 inserted into the rail 9 and of the side wall 7, 8.

[0074] Each side wall 7, 8 comprises at each of its ends a housing 24 and a groove 25 extending the housing 24.

[0075] When the side wall 7, 8 is placed on the base plate 6, the cylindrical pins 14 of the mounting bases 10 inserted in the guide rails are inserted into the housings 24 of said wall and the tongues 15 are inserted into the grooves 25 extending said housings 24.

[0076] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example of a profile of the guide rail 9.

[0077] The guide rail 9 has two wings 26, 27.

[0078] Each wing 26, 27 comprises a first part 26a, 27a extending in a direction perpendicular to the second face 6b and a second part 26b, 27b located at the end of the first part 26a, 27a, the second end extending from the first part 26a, 27a in a direction parallel to the second face 6b.

[0079] The first parts 26a, 27a of the wings 26, 27 are parallel and separated by a first distance D l .

[0080] The second parts 26b, 27b face each other and are separated by a second distance D2.

[0081] The first distance D l is dimensioned so that the groove 12 is engaged and slides between the second parts 26b, 27b.

[0082] The second distance D2 is dimensioned so that the pad 16 slides between the first parts 26a, 27a. An example of implementation of the holding device 4 is now described.

[0083] The holding device 4 is arranged on the table 3.

[0084] The first removable wall 7 is removed from the base plate 6 by pulling on said wall so that the pin 14 and the tongue 15 of the bases 10 associated with said wall are removed from the housings 24 and grooves 25 of said wall 7.

[0085] Then, the animal 5 is slid onto the bottom plate 6 from the side of the device 4 from which the first wall 7 has been removed.

[0086] The first wall 7 is replaced so that the pins 24 and tabs 25 of the bases 10 associated with said wall are inserted into the housings 24 and the grooves 25 of said wall 7.

[0087] The lever 21 of each locking device 12 of the bases 10 is manually released to move the shoe 16 from the inactivated position to allow the sliding of the first end 11a of the bases 10 in the rails 9.

[0088] The distance D separating the walls 7, 8 is adjusted by sliding the side walls 7, 8 in the rails 9 so that the walls 7, 8 come into contact with the animal 5 to hold it.

[0089] Then the lever 21 of the locking device 12 of the bases 10 is manually actuated to move the shoe 16 from the inactive position to the active position to lock the bases 10 in position and lock the position of the side walls 7, 8.

[0090] Table 3 is inserted into tunnel 2 so that animal 5 held in device 4 is inserted into the tunnel for MRI examination.

[0091] Furthermore, since the device 4 is placed on the table 3, it is easy to move the device 4 on the table 3 in order to perform an MRI examination on a particular area of ​​the animal 5 without changing the position of the animal in the device 4.

[0092] Unlike the use of a U-shaped mattress known from the prior art, the holding device 4 is adaptable to a multitude of animal sizes by adjusting the distance between the two side walls without exceeding the dimensions of the tunnel 2 so that the device 4 can always be inserted into the tunnel 2.

[0093] In addition, the thickness of the bottom plate 6 is reduced compared to the thickness of the mattress so that the animal 5 is close to antennas located in the table 3 to obtain good quality images in order to establish a reliable diagnosis.

[0094] The base plate 6, the side walls 7, 8, and the adjustable fixing means are made of a non-ferromagnetic material to prevent any interference with the magnetic fields generated and reflected during the MRI examination, and are made for example of a plastic material.

[0095] Figure 6 schematically illustrates another example of embodiment of the holding device 4.

[0096] When the size of the animal 5 is small, for example less than 10 kg, a space appears between the side walls 7, 8 and the bottom plate 6 so that the animal 5 can slide under the side walls 7, 8.

[0097] The space is used to place a flexible MRI antenna without hindering the translation of the walls 7, 8 in the rails 10.

[0098] To prevent the animal 5 from sliding under the side walls 7, 8, the holding device 4 further comprises a canvas 28 in which the animal 5 is placed and held, and means for fixing the hammock 19 to the side walls 7, 8. The canvas 28 forms a means of supporting the animal. The canvas 28 can be made of waterproof fabric.

[0099] The canvas 28 extends between the two side walls 7, 8 and at a distance from the second face 6b of the bottom plate 6.

[0100] The fixing means (not shown) comprise, for example, housings arranged on the face of the side walls 7, 8 opposite the second face 6b of the base plate 6, pins arranged on the edges of the canvas 28 in contact with the side walls 6, 7, and pins, each pin passing through a hole and being inserted into a housing.

[0101] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of one of the mounting bases 10, the bases being identical to each other. The mounting base 10 comprises a body 30 supporting a manually actuable locking device 31 and cooperating with the associated rail 9 to lock said base 10 in position along said rail 9.

[0102] The body 30 comprises a first end 30a comprising a peripheral tongue intended to be inserted into the associated rail 9, a hole 33 and a groove 34 receiving the locking device 31, and a second end 30b comprising a housing 35 intended to receive an associated assembly pin of the side wall 7, 8.

[0103] The manually operable locking device 31 comprises a cam 36 movable between an inactive unlocking position allowing the sliding of said associated mounting base 10 in the associated guide rail 9 and an active locking position locking said mounting base 10 in position in the associated rail 9.

[0104] The cam 36 is in contact with the associated rail 9 in the active locking position to obtain friction locking.

[0105] The locking device 31 comprises a manually operable lever 37 connected to the cam 36.

[0106] The locking device 31 further comprises a rod 38 and the cam 36 comprises a hole 39.

[0107] The cam 36 and lever 37 are positioned in the body 30 so that the lever 37 is inserted into the groove 34 and so that the rod 38 passes through the hole 33 of the body 30 and the hole 39 of the cam 36 to hold the cam 36 and the lever 37 in the body 30.

[0108] Manual actuation of the lever 37 allows the cam 36 to be rotated between the inactive position and the active position, and vice versa.

[0109] Figure 8 schematically illustrates an example of the second embodiment of the base 10 inserted into the rail 9 and of the side wall 7, 8.

[0110] Each side wall 7, 8 comprises at each of its ends an assembly pin 40 cooperating with a base 10 according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7. When the side wall 7, 8 is placed on the base plate 6, the assembly pins 40 of the walls 7, 8 are inserted into the housings 35 of the mounting bases 10 inserted into the guide rails. The housings 35 of the bases 10 and the assembly pins of the walls 7, 8 are not, for example, cylindrical as shown.

[0111] Alternatively, the housings 35 of the bases 10 and the assembly pins of the walls 7, 8 are of different shapes, the shape of the housings 35 of the bases 10 and the assembly pins of the walls 7, 8 being chosen so that the assembly pins are inserted into said housings to hold the walls 7, 8 on the base plate 6.

[0112] The locking device of the second embodiment of the base 10 comprises fewer elements than the locking device of the first embodiment of the base 10 so that it is easier to produce and assemble.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Device (4) for holding an animal (5) in a magnetic resonance imaging system (1), the device (4) comprising: - a base plate (6) provided with a first face (6a) intended to rest on a table (3) of the magnetic resonance imaging system (1), and a second face (6b) opposite the first face (6a), - two side walls (7, 8) extending from the second face (6b) of the bottom plate on the same side of said second face, - two guide rails (9) arranged on the second face (6b) of the base plate and extending transversely, and - two mounting bases (10, 30) slidably mounted inside each guide rail, each side wall (7, 8) being removably mounted on one of the mounting bases of each rail, - each of the two side walls (7, 8) being mounted on the second face (6b) of the base plate with the possibility of sliding in the transverse direction so as to be able to vary the transverse distance (D) between the two side walls (7, 8) according to the size of the animal (5), - each mounting base (10, 30) supporting a manually actuable locking device (12, 31) capable of cooperating with the associated rail to lock said base in position along said rail (9).

2. Device according to claim 1, in which each locking device (12) comprises a pad (16) movable between an inactive position allowing the sliding of the mounting base. (10) associated in the associated guide rail, and an active locking position locking said mounting base (10) in position, the pad (16) being in contact with the associated rail in the active locking position.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein each locking device (12) further comprises a lever (21) manually operable to move the skate (16) from the inactive position to the active position, and vice versa.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the locking device (12) comprises an eccentric (20) holding the lever (21) in the active position.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each side wall (7, 8) comprises, at each of its ends, a housing (24) inside which one of the mounting bases (10) extends in part.

6. Device according to claim 5, in which each base (10) comprises a cylindrical pin (14) extending into the associated housing (24) of the side wall, and an anti-rotation tab (15) extending projecting from the pin and inserted into a groove (25) of complementary shape which extends the associated housing (24).

7. Device according to claim 1, in which each locking device (31) comprises a cam (36) movable between an inactive position allowing the associated mounting base (10) to slide in the associated guide rail, and an active locking position locking said mounting base (10) in position, the cam (36) being in contact with the associated rail in the active locking position.

8. Device according to claim 7, in which each locking device (31) further comprises a lever (37) manually actuable for the passage of the cam (36) from the inactive position to the active position, and vice versa.

9. Device according to one of claims 7 and 8, in which each side wall (7, 8) comprises, at each of its ends, an assembly pin (40) and each mounting base (30) comprises a housing (35) inside which one of the assembly pins (40) extends in part.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means (28) for supporting the animal and means for fixing the support means (28) to the side walls (7, 8) so that the support means (28) extends between the two side walls (7, 8) and at a distance from the second face (6b) of the bottom plate. 1 1 . Magnetic resonance imaging system (1) comprising an examination tunnel (2), a table (3) intended to be inserted into the examination tunnel (2), and a holding device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, the first face (6a) of the base plate (6) resting on the table (3).

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