MRI Patient Support with Adjustable Vertical Rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face challenges in patient safety and stability, particularly in preventing unwanted movement and ensuring proper positioning, especially for elderly or patients with conditions that require additional support, which can prolong imaging time and increase the risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging system with a patient support apparatus that includes a detachable seat and adjustable support arm, allowing patients to be positioned in a sitting or upright position, with additional support members to prevent movement and a detection system to ensure the patient is securely positioned within the imaging volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient is positioned on a horizontal bed during MRI, then the patient can be supported in a conventional manner, but patients requiring additional support (especially elderly patients) may experience unwanted movement and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support system is divided into separate functional components: a horizontal bed for conventional positioning, a vertical support apparatus with adjustable rest members for additional support, and a detection system. This segmentation allows the system to provide enhanced support only where needed while maintaining the simplicity of conventional horizontal positioning for patients who don't require additional support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support apparatus incorporates adjustable rest members that can be positioned at different heights and locations along the patient's body. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different patient needs and body types, providing optimal support while preventing unwanted movement during the imaging procedure.
2Reliability
If additional support members are provided to prevent patient movement, then patient safety is improved, but the imaging procedure time may be prolonged due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed to verify patient positioning and support member engagement before the imaging procedure begins. By performing this verification in advance, the system ensures patient stability is established prior to imaging, preventing the need to interrupt the procedure for safety corrections and thereby minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system provides real-time feedback to confirm that the patient is properly positioned and supported on the vertical support apparatus. This feedback mechanism ensures that safety requirements are met before imaging commences, allowing the procedure to proceed without delays caused by improper positioning during the scan.
3Reliability
If a vertical patient support is used to provide additional support, then patient safety and stability are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical support apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides additional support for elderly or mobility-impaired patients, enables upright positioning for patients who cannot lie horizontally, and serves as a positioning structure for the detection system. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by consolidating several requirements into a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical support apparatus acts as an intermediary between the patient and the imaging system. It provides the necessary support and positioning capabilities while interfacing with the existing MRI scanner, thereby enabling enhanced patient safety without requiring complete system redesign or excessive space modifications.
4Manufacturing precision
If the patient support apparatus includes adjustable rest members and detection systems, then patient positioning accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed to automatically verify patient positioning and support member engagement without requiring manual intervention or complex operator procedures. The system self-verifies that safety requirements are met, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring high positioning accuracy through automated detection and confirmation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for magnetic resonance imaging. The system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a pair of opposed elements spaced apart along a horizontal pole axis defining a patient-receiving space there between, a patient support apparatus having a rest member extending parallel to the horizontal pole axis, and a support arm connected to the patient support device and rest member, the support arm being operable to adjust the height of the rest member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal pole axis.