MRI Bed Controller Prevents Coil Damage During Stretcher Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatuses face issues with the risk of receiving coils and their cables being damaged during patient transfer, especially when using a stretcher apparatus, due to accidental catching or pulling, which necessitates time-consuming safety checks and inefficient operations.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with a bed top plate and stretcher top plate that can be jointly coupled, featuring a bed controller to manage vertical and horizontal shifts, ensuring safe coupling and decoupling of receiving coils with connectors, preventing damage and optimizing operations by eliminating unnecessary pauses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the bed top plate is raised while a receiving coil remains on the bed top plate, then the patient can be positioned for imaging, but the receiving coil and its connection cable may be caught between the bed top plate and the stretcher top plate resulting in damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of receiving coil coupling status before the bed top plate movement is initiated. The bed controller checks whether a receiving coil is coupled to the connector on the bed top plate before allowing the raising operation, preventing the coil from being caught during subsequent movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed controller continuously monitors the coupling status between the receiving coil and the connector, and uses this feedback information to control the bed top plate movement. When coupling is detected, the controller prevents raising operations; when uncoupled, it allows normal operation, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism.
2Productivity
If the bed top plate is lowered while a receiving coil is coupled with the connector, then the patient can be transferred, but the cable of the receiving coil may be pulled downwards resulting in damage
Solution Approach 1:
Before initiating the lowering operation of the bed top plate, the bed controller performs a preliminary check to detect whether a receiving coil is coupled to the connector. If coupling is detected, the lowering operation is prevented, thereby protecting the cable from being pulled or damaged during patient transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from the coupling detection mechanism to control the lowering operation. The bed controller monitors the connector status and dynamically adjusts the bed top plate movement based on whether a receiving coil is attached, preventing cable damage while maintaining transfer efficiency.
3Reliability
If safety checks are performed before bed top plate movement, then receiving coils and cables are protected from damage, but the operation becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bed controller automatically performs the safety check function without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The system self-monitors the receiving coil coupling status through the connector detection mechanism and autonomously decides whether to allow bed top plate movement, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual safety checks while maintaining equipment protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes: a bed top plate provided with a connector which can be coupled with a receiving coil; a bed which supports the bed top plate, the bed being configured to shift the bed top plate vertically and horizontally, the bed being configured to be jointly coupled with a stretcher apparatus having a stretcher top plate, and the stretcher top plate being placed on top of the bed top plate in a case where the stretcher apparatus is jointly coupled and; a bed controller configured to control a shift of the bed top plate correspondingly to at least one of a joint coupling condition between the bed and the stretcher apparatus and a coupling condition between the receiving coil and the connector.