MR Isolette Coupling for Infant MRI Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI devices are inaccessible and unsafe for infants due to the complexities and risks involved in transporting them from neonatal intensive care units to radiology departments for imaging, as they require frequent handling and exposure to uncontrolled environments, which can be life-threatening.
Innovation Solution
The development of an MR isolette system that integrates an infant-carrying apparatus with RF coils and a portable MRI device, allowing the infant to remain in a controlled environment during imaging by positioning the MR isolette within the imaging region of the MRI device, reducing the need for frequent transport and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infants are transported from neonatal intensive care units to radiology departments for conventional MRI imaging, then imaging can be performed, but the infants are exposed to uncontrolled environments and require frequent handling which creates life-threatening risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the infant isolette (controlled environment) with the MRI imaging system by providing a coupling mechanism that allows the isolette to be positioned within the MRI bore. This merging eliminates the need to transport the infant outside the controlled isolette environment while still enabling imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism between the isolette and MRI system. This intermediary allows the isolette to be securely positioned within the MRI bore without requiring the infant to be removed from the isolette, thus mediating between the need for controlled environment and the need for imaging access.
2Productivity
If infants are frequently handled and transported for imaging, then imaging can be performed, but the handling and transport create life-threatening risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the isolette with the MRI system through a coupling mechanism, allowing the infant to remain in the isolette throughout the imaging process. This eliminates repeated handling and transport while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the isolette in advance by providing a coupling mechanism and positioning structure that allows it to be readily positioned within the MRI bore. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for last-minute handling and transport of the infant.
3Ease of operation
If conventional MRI devices are used, then imaging can be performed, but the devices are inaccessible and require complex transport arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting the infant to the MRI device, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the controlled environment (isolette) to the MRI device through a coupling mechanism. This reversal simplifies the process by eliminating complex transport arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the isolette with the MRI system through a coupling mechanism, making the MRI device accessible to infants without requiring complex transport arrangements. The merged system allows direct imaging from the controlled environment.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some aspects, a system configured to facilitate imaging an infant using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided herein. The system comprises an infant-carrying apparatus comprising an infant support configured to support the infant and an isolette for positioning the infant relative to the MRI device, the isolette comprising: a base for supporting the infant-carrying apparatus; and a bottom surface configured to be coupled to the MRI device. In some embodiments, the infant-carrying apparatus further comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) coil coupled to the infant support and configured to be coupled to the MRI device to detect MR signals during imaging performed by the MRI device. A method for positioning an infant relative to an MRI device using an infant-carrying apparatus and isolette is further provided herein.