MRI Patient Table Inversion for Instrument Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Access to patients within the patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance tomograph is impeded, making it difficult for medical personnel to manually insert medical instruments, and existing intervention robots cannot be used for all patients due to space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic resonance tomograph system that includes a patient table movable along three axes and a rail system for guiding a medical instrument, allowing the patient to be moved relative to the medical instrument to overcome space limitations and eliminate the need for manual instrument insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual insertion of medical instrument is used, then medical personnel can directly handle the instrument, but access to patient is impeded and physical prerequisites for personnel are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of instrument insertionVSAvoidaccessibility within patient receiving region

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the medical instrument toward the patient through the narrow receiving region, the system inverts the approach by moving the patient table toward the stationary medical instrument. The patient table is equipped with a receiving surface that can be positioned at different locations within the patient receiving region, allowing the instrument to remain stationary while the patient is moved into its position. This eliminates the need for personnel to manually maneuver instruments through the constrained space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patient table serves as an intermediary mechanism between the medical instrument and the patient. It provides a movable platform that can be precisely positioned to bring the patient into alignment with the stationary medical instrument. The table's movable construction allows it to overcome the space constraints of the patient receiving region without requiring manual instrument manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If intervention robot is used to insert medical instrument, then manual handling is eliminated, but sufficient space between patient and internal wall is required which is not met for all patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of instrument insertionVSAvoidapplicability to all patients

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the conventional robot-assisted approach by making the patient table movable rather than requiring the medical instrument to be movable. This allows the patient to be positioned at various locations within the receiving region while the instrument remains stationary, eliminating the space requirement that would otherwise prevent use with larger patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patient table is designed with movable construction that allows dynamic repositioning within the patient receiving region. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to different patient sizes and positions without requiring changes to the medical instrument or the receiving region geometry, thereby achieving versatility across all patient types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enables easier handling of medical instruments during image-assisted interventions, reduces the physical demands on medical personnel, and allows for interventions on patients with limited space in the patient receiving region.

Implementation Method 1

The main magnet is configured to generate a homogeneous main magnetic field with a defined or specific magnetic field strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The radio-frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged within the magnet unit and designed and/or configured to emit an excitation pulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation emission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The gradient coil unit is configured to generate magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial encoding during imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field gradient generation: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250049511A1Magnetic resonance tomograph

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A magnetic resonance tomograph includes a patient table, a patient receiving region, a feed unit that is configured to guide a medical instrument, and a rail system for guiding the feed unit. The rail system runs extensively on an interior side along an inner side of the patient receiving region). The patient table is configured to position a patient in the patient receiving region. The patient table is configured to be movable such that the medical instrument may be guided along a trajectory in the patient with assistance of a movement of the patient table.