Magnetic Resonance Object Table Coupling Unit for Accessory Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Imaging examination devices face challenges in using electrical and electronic accessories within the examination area due to the lack of available electrical energy and communication connections, often requiring accessories to be temporarily placed outside the examination room.

Innovation Solution

An object table with a connecting unit that forms a coupling arrangement with accessories, enabling energy and communication technology coupling, allowing accessories to be detachably arranged within the examination device area, thus eliminating the need for external stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If accessories are placed outside the examination room, then electrical energy and communication connections are available, but accessibility and usability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility to accessoriesVSAvoidAvailability of electrical energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The specimen table is divided into functional zones with connecting units positioned at specific locations (head end, foot end, sides) to provide localized power and communication access to accessories throughout the examination area, eliminating the need for a single centralized external station

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting unit acts as an intermediary component between the specimen table and accessories, providing power supply, communication connections, and mechanical support through coupling units that enable accessories to be used within the examination room without direct external connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If accessories are placed outside the examination room, then power supply is ensured, but response time and operational efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOperational efficiencyVSAvoidTime to access accessories
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Power supply lines, communication cables, and coupling units are pre-installed and integrated into the specimen table structure before the examination begins, allowing accessories to be quickly connected and immediately used without waiting for external setup or configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting unit is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple different accessory types (ECG leads, pulse oximetry sensors, communication devices) through standardized coupling mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate external stations for each accessory type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If accessories are integrated within the examination area, then accessibility is improved, but interference with the imaging device may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility to accessoriesVSAvoidInterference with imaging examination device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting units are positioned at specific locations away from the central detection zone (head end, foot end, sides of the specimen table) where they provide necessary electrical and communication functions without creating electromagnetic interference with the sensitive imaging components in the center of the examination area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply and communication connection functions are extracted from external sources and integrated directly into the specimen table structure through connecting units, allowing accessories to operate independently within the examination room without requiring external cables or connections that could interfere with the imaging device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4442193A1Object table for a magnetic resonance device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • EP4442193A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442193A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442193A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an object table (26) for an imaging examination device (14) which serves to carry out an examination on an object (12) that can be arranged on the object table (26), wherein the object table (26) is designed to be arranged at an edge of a detection area (22) of the imaging examination device (14) in order to arrange the object (12) to be examined in the detection area (22) for carrying out the examination, wherein the object table (26) has at least partially a connecting unit (64) extending along the edge of the table (60), which is designed to be detachably connected to a connecting element (66) of at least one accessory part (68) that can be used for the examination.According to the invention, the connecting unit (64) has a coupling unit (70), wherein the coupling unit is configured to form a coupling arrangement (72) with the accessory part (68) in a connected state in which the connecting unit (64) is connected with the connecting element (66), wherein the coupling arrangement (72) serves to transmit at least data or energy.