MRI Laser Marking Calibration for Precise Patient Table Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in accurately positioning the laser marking unit, leading to potential misalignment and costly, time-consuming troubleshooting processes when positional errors occur, which can affect quality assurance measurements and require manual adjustment by service technicians.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a calibration unit within the MRI device to facilitate easy detection and correction of positional errors in the laser marking unit, utilizing a reflector element, sensor element, and adjustment element to align the laser beam accurately with the isocenter, enabling direct calibration by medical personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the laser marking unit is precisely positioned during calibration, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional calibration mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration unit enables the laser marking unit to perform self-calibration through an automated feedback mechanism. A sensor detects the position of a reflector element on the patient table, and this information is used to automatically adjust the laser marking unit's position via adjustment elements, eliminating the need for manual service technician intervention and reducing operational complexity despite adding calibration components.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration unit implements a feedback loop where a sensor continuously monitors the position of a reflector element mounted on the patient table. This position information is fed back to control the adjustment elements (such as motors or actuators) that modify the laser marking unit's position, ensuring automatic maintenance of accurate alignment without requiring external calibration services.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment by service technicians is required for laser marking unit misalignment, then positioning accuracy can be restored, but time loss and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration unit transforms the calibration process from a service-technician-dependent manual task into an automated self-service function. When misalignment occurs, the system automatically detects the error through the sensor-reflector arrangement and executes correction through integrated adjustment elements, allowing medical personnel to perform calibration during routine operations without scheduling service calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration unit acts as an intermediary system between the laser marking unit and the patient table positioning system. It mediates the alignment process by providing real-time position feedback through the sensor and automatically adjusting the laser marking unit's position, thereby eliminating the need for direct human intervention by service technicians while maintaining precise alignment.
3Reliability
If the laser marking unit position shifts over time, then measurement reliability deteriorates, but detection difficulty increases without calibration indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration unit establishes continuous feedback monitoring of the laser marking unit's position relative to the patient table through the sensor-reflector arrangement. This feedback mechanism automatically detects position drift as it occurs, enabling immediate correction before measurement reliability deteriorates, and providing visual or digital indicators to alert operators of alignment status without requiring complex external measurement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration unit performs preliminary calibration actions automatically at scheduled intervals or before measurement sequences begin. By proactively detecting and correcting position shifts before they affect measurement reliability, the system prevents deterioration rather than reacting to it, maintaining consistent measurement quality through preventive calibration rather than corrective service calls.
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 simple and cost-effective detection and correction of laser marking unit misalignments, reducing the need for service calls and minimizing time-consuming manual adjustments, allowing regular calibration by medical staff to ensure precise patient positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the position determination unit includes a laser marking unit
Implementation Method 2
the calibration unit includes a reflector element arranged in the front region of the movable patient table
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a magnetic resonance device with a scanner unit, a patient acquisition area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, a patient positioning device comprising a movable patient table designed to move into the patient acquisition area, and a position determination unit designed to determine a position of the patient table relative to the scanner unit and comprising a laser marking unit, wherein the position determination unit comprises a calibration unit for calibrating the laser marking unit.