Mattress for examination table of MRI apparatus having cable duct

Abstract

The invention relates to a device 1 comprising a mattress 2 for an examination table 18 of a magnetic resonance device 6 and a cable duct 3 arranged along a side of the mattress 2, said cable duct 3 having an outer wall 4 at least partially surrounding a cable-receiving volume 5 in which the cables of the magnetic resonance device 6 can be arranged, said outer wall 4 having a longitudinal slit 7 between two slit-defining outer wall areas 19, said longitudinal slits extending parallel to the side of the mattress 2 along at least a part of the length of the cable duct 3, said longitudinal slits 7 being configured to allow cables to be inserted into or removed from the cable-receiving volume 5 via the longitudinal slits 7. In this way, the possibility of efficient cable management is provided which also promotes patient comfort.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mattresses, and in particular to mattresses for supporting a patient undergoing examination in a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In an MR examination, the person being examined is typically positioned on an examination table.

[0003] During each MR scan, there are many cables on the examination table, such as coil cables, interface cables, headset cables, nurse call cables, etc. On many of the coil and interface cables, there are additional thermal components called baluns that become hot during the MR scan. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Managing cables, especially cables with baluns, on such examination tables of MR systems is difficult and cumbersome, especially with regard to the following issues: Due to lack of proper cable management methods, the coil cable with baluns must be placed on the body of the person undergoing the examination. This creates a risk of balun burns on the person. To mitigate the risk of burns, an additional spacer typically needs to be placed between the balun and the person. Furthermore, the coil setup becomes more complicated when more coils are required for the examination. In addition, there is a risk of the cable or balun falling off the examination table. Furthermore, the comfort of the person is significantly limited due to the many items, including the balun, the cable, and the spacer, that are placed on the person's body.

[0005] From US 2013 / 176029 A1 a bed arrangement for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is known which comprises a table, a table drive mechanism, a bed support and a cable guide. The table provides a connection port for a receiving coil of magnetic resonance signals. The table drive mechanism is configured to move the table. The bed support is configured to support the table. The cable guide is configured to protect a signal cable between the table and the bed support and to bend a portion of the signal cable with the movement of the table. The signal cable is connected to the connection port. The portion of the signal cable corresponds to the position of the table.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide efficient cable management possibilities that also promote patient comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the invention, this object is addressed by the subject matter of the independent claims.Embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0008] Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a mattress for an examination table of a magnetic resonance apparatus and a cable duct arranged along a side of the mattress, the cable duct having an outer wall at least partially enclosing a cable receiving volume in which a cable of the magnetic resonance apparatus can be placed, the outer wall having a longitudinal slit between two slit-defining outer wall areas, the slit extending parallel to the side of the mattress along at least a portion of the length of the cable duct, the longitudinal slit being configured to allow a cable to be inserted into the cable receiving volume or a cable to be removed from the cable receiving volume via the longitudinal slit.

[0009] In this manner, efficient cable management is provided that avoids cumbersome cables and baluns that could annoy or even burn the patient.

[0010] Generally, the cable duct can be placed on any side of the mattress. The side of the mattress where the cable duct is placed can be one of the two long sides of the mattress. Usually, this is the side where the doctor or nurse prepares the patient for the examination.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least in the region of the outer wall adjacent to the longitudinal slit, the wall is made of a flexible material, whereby the outer wall is deformable to realize an access opening through which a cable can be inserted into the cable receiving volume and / or removed from the cable receiving volume. In this way, the slit can be opened sufficiently to insert or remove cables and baluns of different types and sizes. In this respect, according to an embodiment of the invention, in a natural state in which no access opening has been formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall by an external force, the two slit-defining outer wall regions are in contact with each other, with a longitudinal slit formed between them, such that the cable receiving volume is completely surrounded by the outer wall. This has the advantage that a cable or balun inserted in the cable receiving volume of the cable duct cannot be accidentally accessed and contacted from outside the cable duct. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in a natural state where an access opening is not formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall by an external force, the two slit-defining outer wall regions are configured such that a longitudinal slit is formed between them and are arranged at a distance from each other such that the longitudinal slit forms a permanent longitudinal opening. According to this alternative, the cable duct can be arranged relative to the mattress in such a way that in the natural state, the longitudinal opening of the outer wall faces a side part of the mattress at a side of the mattress and the cable receiving volume is closed by the outer wall and the side part of the mattress facing the permanent longitudinal opening, and in a deformed state, an access opening is formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall and the cable receiving volume is accessible via the access opening between the outer wall and the side part of the mattress facing the longitudinal opening.In this way, cables or baluns inserted within the cable receiving volume of the cable duct cannot be accidentally accessed or contacted from outside the cable duct, as the cable receiving volume is completely enclosed by the outer walls and sides of the mattress.

[0012] The invention allows many different ways of assembling the cable duct with the mattress. According to one embodiment of the invention, the cable duct is formed by a mattress accessory having a central section and a side section, the central section being arranged under the mattress and the side section protruding beyond the side edge of the mattress to form the cable duct. In this way, it is easy to provide the cable duct on two opposite sides of the mattress, although it is also possible to provide the cable duct on only one side of the mattress. Furthermore, the mattress accessory with the cable duct is held in place by the weight of the mattress and, in examination situations, by the weight of the patient. In this respect, according to one embodiment of the invention, the mattress accessory has two side sections arranged on either side of the central section, protruding beyond the side edge of the long side of the mattress and forming a cable duct on each of the two long sides of the mattress.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cable duct is formed by a mattress accessory having a side section and a fixed section, the mattress accessory being attached to the mattress via the fixed section such that the side section protrudes beyond the side edge of the mattress side and forms the cable duct. The mattress accessory may be attached to the mattress by means of a hook and loop fastener or a push button. Two such mattress accessories may be arranged on either long side of the mattress, respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, it is another option of the present invention for the mattress and the cable duct to form an integral part. In this regard, a second cable duct may be located on the other long side of the mattress and is also integral with the mattress.

[0015] In general, the shape of the outer wall of the cable duct can follow different designs. However, according to one embodiment of the invention, the outer wall of the cable duct surrounding the cable receiving volume is C-shaped in cross section perpendicular to the long side of the mattress. Furthermore, the outer wall of the cable duct may be made of a foam material, for example an EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) foam wrapped on the outside with a PU (Polyurethane) layer. Similar to conventional mattresses, the mattress according to the invention may be made of a foam material. The foam material of the cable duct may be more flexible than the foam material of the mattress. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal slits of the outer wall extend along the entire length of the cable duct. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the outer wall of the cable duct and / or the mattress is perforated, for example to gain access to alignment grooves for some dedicated coils of a patient table on which the mattress with the cable duct is used.

[0016] The invention also relates to an examination table for supporting a subject under examination in a magnetic resonance apparatus, having an arrangement as described above, which may have a handle for manipulating the examination table, the handle having a grip area for grasping the handle with a human hand, the grip area having a bore for receiving cables, which helps to further avoid such cables bothering the patient or the nurse or doctor preparing the patient for the examination.

[0017] The invention also relates to a magnetic resonance system comprising an examination table as described above.

[0018] The present invention further relates to a cable management assembly for a magnetic resonance device, comprising a mattress accessory having a side section and a fixed section, the fixed section being configured to be placed on a mattress to position the side section relative to the mattress to form a cable duct, the cable duct having an outer wall at least partially enclosing a cable receiving volume in which a cable of the magnetic resonance device can be placed, the outer wall having a longitudinal slit between two slit-defining outer wall regions along at least a portion of the length of the cable duct, at least in an area of ​​the outer wall adjacent to the longitudinal slit, the outer wall is made from a flexible material, whereby the outer wall is deformable to provide an access opening through which a cable can be inserted into the cable receiving volume and / or through which a cable can be removed from the cable receiving volume.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention the mattress accessory has a central section adjacent to side sections, the central section being configured to be placed underneath the mattress and the side sections being configured to protrude beyond the side edges of the mattress to form a cable duct. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the mattress accessory is configured to be attached to the mattress via the fastening sections such that the side sections forming the cable duct protrude beyond the side edges of the mattress.

[0020] Finally, the invention relates to a method of use of a cable duct for a mattress of a magnetic resonance device, the cable duct having an outer wall surrounding a cable receiving volume in which cables of the MR device can be placed, the outer wall having a longitudinal slit between two slit-defining outer wall areas extending parallel to a side of the mattress along at least a part of the length of the cable duct, at least in the area of ​​the outer wall adjacent to the longitudinal slit, the outer wall is made of a flexible material, whereby the outer wall is deformable to realize an access opening, the method comprising the steps of placing the cable duct along a side of the mattress, deforming the flexible material of the outer wall to realize and maintain the access opening, placing at least one cable in the cable receiving volume through the access opening and / or removing at least one cable in the cable receiving volume through the access opening, and completing the deformation of the flexible material of the outer wall.

[0021] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter, but such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, and therefore reference should be made to the claims and this specification for interpreting the scope of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a mattress accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cross-section of the mattress accessory of FIG. 1 together with a mattress. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a mattress together with details of the mattress accessory of FIG. 1; [Figure 4a] Schematic diagram showing details of a mattress accessory and mattress having an opening slit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4b] Schematic diagram showing details of a mattress and a mattress accessory having a closed slit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing details of an MR apparatus having an examination table with another mattress accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing two mattress accessories and a mattress according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing details of a mattress accessory and a mattress having an open slit at the top according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8a] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing details of an examination table with a handle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8b] FIG. 8b shows a detail of the inspection table of FIG. 8a, with the depiction of the handle omitted to better show the routing of the cables. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Figure 1 shows diagrammatically in a perspective view a mattress accessory 9 according to one embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 shows diagrammatically in a perspective view a cross-section of the mattress accessory 9 according to Figure 1 together with a mattress 2. Thus, an apparatus 1 is provided which comprises a mattress 2 and a cable duct 3 arranged along a side of the mattress 2, the cable duct 3 running parallel to an axis 8 which runs parallel to the long side of the mattress 2. This arrangement 1 is intended to be used for an examination table 18 of a magnetic resonance apparatus 6a as shown in Figure 5, which diagrammatically shows a detail of such a magnetic resonance apparatus 6 together with the examination table 18 equipped with the mattress accessory 9 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0024] 1 and 2, the cable duct 3 has an outer wall 4 which partially encloses a cable-receiving volume 5 in which the cables of the magnetic resonance device 6 can be arranged. The outer wall 4 has a longitudinal slit 7 between two slit-defining outer wall areas 19, which extends parallel to the side of the mattress 2 along the length of the cable duct 3. This longitudinal slit 7 is configured to allow cables to be inserted into the cable-receiving volume 5 or to be removed from the cable-receiving volume 5 via the longitudinal slit 7.

[0025] In the region of the outer wall 4 adjacent to the longitudinal slits 7, the outer wall 4 is made from a flexible material, whereby the outer wall 4 is deformable to realize an access opening through which a cable can be inserted into the cable receiving volume 5 and / or removed from the cable receiving volume 5. According to the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, in a natural state in which no access opening has been formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall 4 by an external force, the two slit-defining outer wall regions 19 in which the longitudinal slits 7 are formed are arranged at a distance from each other such that the longitudinal slits 7 form a permanent longitudinal opening. In order to close this opening so as to avoid accidental touching of the cables inserted in the cable duct 3, the cable duct 3 is placed against the mattress 2 so that in the natural state, the longitudinal opening of the outer wall 4 faces the side part 17 of the mattress 2 at the side of the mattress 2, whereby the cable receiving volume 5 is closed by the outer wall 4 and the side part 17 of the mattress 2 facing the permanent longitudinal opening, and in the deformed state, an access opening is formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall 4, through which the cable receiving volume 5 between the outer wall 4 and the side part 17 of the mattress 2 facing the longitudinal opening 7 is accessible. Figure 3 shows a detail of the mattress accessory 9 according to Figure 1 in a perspective view diagrammatically together with the mattress 2, showing the outer wall 4 in its undeformed natural state. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the outer wall 4 of the cable duct 3 is C-shaped and the opening of the outer wall 4 faces the side of the mattress 2.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the mattress accessory 9 has a central section 10 and two side sections 11, the central section 10 being positioned under the mattress 2 and the side sections 11 protruding beyond either side edge of the mattress 2. In this way, the mattress accessory 9 with the cable duct 3 can be held in place by the weight of the mattress 2 and, in examination situations, by the weight of the patient.

[0027] As mentioned above and also shown in FIG. 4a, the mattress accessory 9 has an open slit 7, which is formed between slit-defining outer walls 19, which are arranged against the sides of the mattress 2 such that the cable receiving volume is closed in the circumferential direction. As mentioned above, the cable arranged in the cable receiving volume 5 cannot be accidentally touched. According to an alternative design shown in FIG. 4b, the slit 7 can be closed in a natural state, when no external force has deformed the flexible area of ​​the outer wall 4 of the cable duct 3. Thus, according to this embodiment, in a natural state, when no access opening has been formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall 4 by an external force, a longitudinal slit 7 is formed between two slit-defining outer wall areas 19, which are in contact with each other such that the cable receiving volume 5 is completely surrounded by the outer wall 4. Thus, in the case of this embodiment, no part of the mattress 2 needs to be used to close the cable receiving volume 5 in the circumferential direction. Thus, according to this embodiment of the invention, the cable duct 3 is formed by a mattress accessory 9 having a side section 11 and a fixed section 12, which is attached to the mattress 2 via the fixed section 12, so that the side section 11 protrudes beyond the side edge of the side of the mattress 2 and forms the cable duct 3. Here, the mattress accessory 9 is attached to the mattress 2 by a hook-and-loop fastener 13. Alternatively, a push button (not shown) can be used to attach the mattress accessory 9 to the mattress 2. Also, in the case of this embodiment of the invention, two such mattress accessories 9 are arranged on both long sides of the mattress 2, respectively, to provide the cable duct 3 on both opposite long sides of the mattress 2.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a mattress with two mattress accessories 9 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4b, a mattress accessory 9 is attached to each of two opposing long sides of the mattress 2. The mattress accessories 9 also have hook-and-loop fasteners 13 for attachment to the mattress 2. However, in addition, each mattress accessory 9 has an area extending through the matre fastener and acting as a fixing section 12, so that said hook-and-loop fasteners 13 can interact with a respective corresponding part of the mattress 2 that is placed at the bottom of the mattress 2. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, this allows the design of a cable duct 3 with a C-shaped outer wall 4 providing a permanent slit 7 that is closed by the side of the mattress 2 when the mattress accessory 9 is attached to the mattress 2.

[0029] As can be seen from Fig. 7 which shows diagrammatically a detail of a mattress 2 and a mattress accessory 9 having an open slit 7 at the top, and in the example of a permanently open slit 7, it is not necessary to cover the slit 7. When the cable is placed in the cable receiving volume 5, the cable is typically located at the bottom of the receiving volume 5 and therefore the likelihood of accidental contact with the cable is lower compared to the situation where the cable is placed on the mattress 2 next to the patient.

[0030] As already mentioned above, Fig. 5 shows a schematic detail of an MR device with an examination table. From Fig. 5 it can be seen that according to an embodiment of the invention the examination table can comprise an arm support 14 for the patient. Furthermore, the examination table can have strap openings 15 and coil cable openings 16. In order to provide the possibility to reach the strap openings 15 and the coil cable openings 16 of the examination table 18 when these are covered by the cable duct 3, the flexible outer wall 4 can be folded up to access these strap openings 15 and the coil cable openings 16.

[0031] Finally, Fig. 8a shows, in a perspective view, a schematic of an adapter interface 20 of an examination table having a handle 21 according to an embodiment of the invention. The adapter interface 20 has a cable 23 with a balun 25 and a connector 24 providing a connection for a coiled cable (not shown). The handle 21 provides a grip area and has a groove 22 for accommodating the cable 23 and / or the balun 25 of the cable 23. This helps to avoid the cable 23 and / or the balun 25 disturbing the patient or a nurse or doctor preparing the patient for an examination. Fig. 8b shows generally the same adapter interface 20 as Fig. 8a, where the depiction of the handle 21 has been omitted to better show the routing of the cable 23.

[0032] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered as illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. 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. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope thereof. Moreover, for the sake of clarity, not all elements in the drawings have been labeled with reference signs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] equipment 1 Mattress 2 Cable Duct 3 Exterior wall 4 Cable receiving volume 5 MR device 6 Longitudinal slits 7 Axis running parallel to the long side of the mattress 8 Mattress Accessories 9 Center Section 10 Side Section 11 Fixed Section 12 Velcro 13 Arm Support 14 Strap opening 15 Coil cable opening 16 Long side of mattress 17 Examination Table 18 Slit-defined outer wall area 19 Adapter Interface 20 Handle 21 groove 22 Cable 23 Connectors 24 Balun 25

Claims

1. An apparatus having a mattress for an inspection table of a magnetic resonance apparatus and a cable duct arranged along a side portion of the mattress, wherein the cable duct has an outer wall that at least partially surrounds a cable receiving volume in which cables of the magnetic resonance apparatus can be arranged, the outer wall has a longitudinal slit between two slit-defining outer wall regions, the longitudinal slit extends parallel to the side portion of the mattress along at least a portion of the length of the cable duct, and the longitudinal slit is configured to enable a cable to be inserted into the cable receiving volume or removed from the cable receiving volume through the longitudinal slit. An apparatus.

2. In a region of the outer wall adjacent to at least the longitudinal slit, the outer wall is made of a flexible material, whereby the outer wall is deformable to realize an access opening through which a cable can be inserted into the cable receiving volume and / or a cable can be removed from the cable receiving volume through the access opening. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. In a natural state in which the access opening is not formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall by an external force, the two slit-defining outer wall regions forming the longitudinal slit are in contact with each other such that the cable receiving volume is completely surrounded by the outer wall. The apparatus according to claim 2.

4. In a natural state in which the access opening is not formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall by an external force, the two slit-defining outer wall regions forming the longitudinal slit are arranged at a distance from each other such that the longitudinal slit forms a permanent longitudinal opening. The apparatus according to claim 2.

5. In the natural state, the permanent longitudinal opening of the outer wall faces a side portion of the side portion of the mattress, and the cable receiving volume is closed by the outer wall and the side portion of the mattress facing the permanent longitudinal opening. In the deformed state in which the access opening is formed by deforming the flexible material of the outer wall, the cable receiving volume is accessible through the access opening between the outer wall and the side portion of the mattress facing the longitudinal opening, so that the cable duct is arranged with respect to the mattress. The arrangement according to claim 4.

6. The cable duct is formed by a mattress accessory having a central section and side sections, the central section being disposed below the mattress, and the side sections protruding beyond the side edges of the sides of the mattress to form the cable duct. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The mattress accessory has two side sections arranged on both sides of the central section, the two side sections protruding beyond the side edges of the long sides of the mattress to form cable ducts on both long sides of the mattress respectively. The apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The cable duct is formed by a mattress accessory having a side section and a fixed section, the mattress accessory being attached to the mattress via the fixed section, and the side section protruding beyond the side edge of the side of the mattress to form the cable duct. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claim 6 which directly quotes claim 1, wherein the mattress and the cable duct form an integral part.

10. A magnetic resonance system having the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claim 6 which directly quotes claim 1.

11. A cable management assembly for a magnetic resonance apparatus having a mattress accessory and / or an adapter interface, wherein the mattress accessory has a side section and a fixed section, the fixed section being arranged with respect to the mattress so as to position the side section with respect to the mattress to form a cable duct, the cable duct having an outer wall that at least partially surrounds a cable receiving volume in which cables of the magnetic resonance apparatus can be arranged. The outer wall has a longitudinal slit between two slit-defined outer wall regions along at least a portion of the length of the cable duct, and in the region of the outer wall adjacent to at least the longitudinal slit, the outer wall is made of a flexible material, whereby the outer wall is deformable to enable a cable to be inserted into the cable receiving volume through the access opening and / or a cable to be removed from the cable receiving volume through the access opening, a cable management assembly, wherein the adapter interface has a handle and a cable, the cable has a connector providing a connection for a coiled cable, the handle provides a grip region, and the cable and / or the balance of the cable has a groove for receiving.

12. The cable management assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mattress accessory has a central section adjacent to the side section, the central section is configured to be disposed below the mattress, and the side section projects beyond a side edge of the side of the mattress and is configured to form the cable duct.

13. The cable management assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mattress accessory is attached to the mattress via the fixed section, whereby the side section forming the cable duct projects beyond a side edge of the side of the mattress.

14. A method of using a cable duct for a mattress of a magnetic resonance apparatus, wherein the cable duct has an outer wall surrounding a cable receiving volume in which a cable of the magnetic resonance apparatus can be arranged, the outer wall has a longitudinal slit between two slit-defined outer wall regions, and the longitudinal slit extends parallel to the side of the mattress along at least a portion of the length of the cable duct, and in the region of the outer wall adjacent to at least the longitudinal slit, the outer wall is made of a flexible material, whereby the outer wall is deformable to realize an access opening, the method comprising: disposing the cable duct along the side of the mattress; deforming the flexible material of the outer wall to realize and maintain the access opening. The step of disposing at least one cable into the cable receiving volume and / or removing at least one cable within the cable receiving volume through the access opening; The step of ending the deformation of the flexible material of the outer wall; A method having the above.

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