MRI Patient Support Docking Using Magnetic Field Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual docking of patient support devices with magnetic resonance scanners is time-consuming and lacks precision, relying heavily on the experience of medical technicians.
Innovation Solution
A patient support device equipped with a travel mechanism, a control computer, and sensors that detect environmental parameters such as magnetic field strength, allowing the control computer to generate control parameters for automated or assisted docking by activating the travel mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual docking is performed by a medical technician, then the docking can be completed with human judgment and adaptability, but the process is time-consuming and lacks precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical docking process with an automated sensor-based system. Sensors detect environmental parameters (magnetic field strength, light markings) to automatically determine position and guide the patient support device to the docking position, eliminating the need for manual operation while achieving precise docking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support device performs self-positioning and self-docking through its own sensors and travel mechanism. The device autonomously detects its position relative to the magnetic resonance scanner and automatically moves itself to the correct docking position without requiring external manual intervention.
2Productivity
If automated docking is implemented using sensors and control computers, then docking precision and speed are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control computer serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data, calculates position based on environmental parameters, controls the travel mechanism, and manages the docking process. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated control unit, improving efficiency while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental parameters (magnetic field strength, light markings) serve as intermediaries between the patient support device and the magnetic resonance scanner for position detection. These readily available environmental cues enable automatic positioning without requiring complex direct communication or specialized sensing infrastructure between the two systems.
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
Enables at least partially automatic and precise docking of the patient support device with the magnetic resonance scanner, reducing the time and effort required for the procedure while ensuring accurate positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor detects an environmental parameter of the patient support device. The environmental parameter may be a magnetic field strength and/or a value of a B0 field generated by a superconducting basic field magnet of the magnetic resonance scanner at the location of the patient support device.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support device has a bed, a travel mechanism designed to move the patient support device, a control computer and a sensor, which detects at least one environmental parameter of the patient support device. The control computer ascertains a control parameter for controlling the travel mechanism depending on the at least one detected environmental parameter.