Bore Region Lighting Unit for MRI Scanner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging systems with limited bore dimensions can cause patient anxiety, making it difficult to acquire clear images due to the intimidating appearance of the magnet bore.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging system with a bore region lighting unit that generates a spatially varying distribution of area-averaged brightness, using lighting members at the front and bore covers to create an optical illusion of a larger bore dimension, thereby reducing anxiety and discomfort in patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the bore dimension is enlarged to reduce patient anxiety, then patient comfort is improved, but the scanner size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies lighting with specific color temperatures (warm white 2700K-3000K or cool white 4000K-6504K) to change the visual perception of the bore environment. By illuminating the bore region and control room with controlled lighting, the intimidating dark environment is transformed into a more welcoming space, reducing patient anxiety without physically enlarging the bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control room as an intermediary space between the patient and the main scanning environment. This control room serves as a buffer zone that provides psychological comfort and allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the scanning process, thereby reducing patient anxiety without requiring physical bore enlargement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lighting is added to illuminate the bore, then patient comfort is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control room serves multiple functions: it houses the lighting control systems, provides psychological comfort to patients, enables real-time monitoring of the scanning process, and allows for adjustment of scanning parameters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby managing device complexity while improving patient comfort through comprehensive lighting control.
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 effectively reduces patient anxiety by creating a perception of a larger bore dimension, improving patient cooperation and image acquisition by masking the actual bore size through gradual lighting patterns and materials, resulting in a more relaxed patient experience.
Implementation Method 1
a bore region lighting unit comprising lighting members, which is configured for generating lighting conditions at a bore region
Data Source
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AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging system (10) comprising a scanner unit (12) including a main magnet with a magnet bore (16), and a bore region lighting unit (28) comprising lighting members (32, 36), which is configured for generating lighting conditions at a bore region (26) by using the lighting members (32, 36), for influencing the subject of interest's optical perception regarding a radial dimension (b) of the magnet bore (16) by at least one out of detracting the subject of interest's attention, generating an optical illusion in connection with the radial dimension (b) of the magnet bore (16) and camouflaging the magnet bore (16); and a bore region lighting unit (28) for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system (10).