MRI Alert System Using Optical Fiber Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In MRI and other imaging modalities, technologists often lack immediate access to assistance during patient setup or procedures, posing safety risks for both the patient and the technologist due to the isolation of the MRI room.
Innovation Solution
An alert system that allows technologists to communicate assistance needs to personnel outside the MRI room using IR/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/optical fiber transmission, with wearable devices and stand-alone units that activate alarms or transmit voice messages without interfering with the MRI's radio frequency or magnetic fields, ensuring safe and timely help.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the technologist works alone in the MRI room to maintain operational efficiency, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to lack of immediate assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alert device as an intermediary between the technologist in the MRI room and personnel outside. The device includes a transmitter that sends signals through the shielded wall (via IR, optical fiber, or other non-RF means) to a receiver in the control room, enabling communication without compromising MRI safety or requiring the technologist to leave the room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for physical presence or traditional RF-based communication systems with alternative transmission methods such as infrared (IR) transmitters/receivers through the window or optical fiber connections. These methods substitute the mechanical/RF system with optical systems that are immune to MRI's radio frequency interference.
2Ease of operation
If traditional RF communication systems are used in the MRI room, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to interference with MRI radio frequency and magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes traditional RF-based communication systems with optical communication methods including infrared (IR) transmitters and receivers, and optical fiber connections. These optical systems operate at frequencies that do not interfere with the MRI's radio frequency and magnetic fields, eliminating the harmful interference while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the communication system by using optical frequencies (infrared) instead of radio frequencies. This parameter change allows communication to occur without the RF interference problems that would affect MRI operation, as the optical signals are transmitted through the shielded wall via IR transceivers or optical fibers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a safe and effective means for technologists to request assistance without disrupting MRI operations, enhancing patient and staff safety by ensuring immediate help can be summoned without compromising image quality or equipment functionality.
Implementation Method 1
optical fiber transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An alert system for providing the capability for a care giver or technologist in a medical procedure room such as the magnet room of an MRI installation to send an alert signal to personnel outside the magnet room. The system includes an alert device in the procedure room with an alert switch, and a wireless signal transmitter for generating encoded alert signals upon activation of the alert switch. An alert control system in the control room of the installation includes a signal receiver, an audio transducer and a controller, the controller responsive to alert signals received from the alert device to generate alert signals including generating audio signals from the audio transducer. In one embodiment, the alert device includes a microphone, with one-way or two-way communication between the alert device and the control system.