MRI Transfer Table Assembly for Incubator-Based Neonatal Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing MRI techniques face challenges in safely transferring premature infants from incubators to MR scanners without detaching them from life support systems, require large and heavy MR magnets, and necessitate transporting infants outside the NICU, posing logistical and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A transfer table assembly that attaches to the incubator, allowing the infant to be moved as a unit into the MR scanner without detachment from monitoring systems, using a lightweight, MR-compatible extension that can be inserted into the magnet, maintaining environmental stability and reducing physical stress on the infant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a self-contained MR compatible transport incubator is used to carry the infant from the NICU to an MR scanner, then the infant can be monitored during transport and imaging, but the system becomes heavy and expensive requiring a large bore magnet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfant monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmagnet weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate components: the infant remains in the home incubator which stays in the NICU, while a separate MR-compatible imaging system with its own monitoring capabilities is brought to the incubator. This eliminates the need for a heavy transport incubator while maintaining monitoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A portable MR-compatible monitoring system acts as an intermediary between the home incubator and the imaging system, allowing continuous monitoring without requiring the infant to be moved to a specialized transport incubator or the magnet to be enlarged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the infant is transferred from the home incubator to a transport incubator for MR imaging, then imaging can be performed, but the infant must be detached from monitoring equipment and the system becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidtransfer procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MR-compatible monitoring and imaging capabilities are merged into a single portable system that can be positioned at the home incubator, eliminating the need for separate transfer to a transport incubator and reducing procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable MR system serves multiple functions including imaging and continuous monitoring, allowing it to be used at the home incubator without requiring specialized transport equipment or complex transfer procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the MR system is located in the Radiology department outside the NICU, then imaging can be performed, but staff must be removed from the NICU reducing care quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidstaff availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bringing the infant to the MR scanner located in the Radiology department, the MR-compatible imaging system is brought to the infant at the home incubator in the NICU, allowing imaging to be performed without removing staff from the NICU.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable MR system is designed to be self-contained and can be operated at the home incubator with minimal staff intervention, allowing NICU staff to remain with the infant while imaging is performed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a large bore magnet is used to accommodate the transport incubator, then the infant can be imaged in the transport incubator, but the magnet becomes heavy and difficult to install

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincubator accommodation capabilityVSAvoidmagnet weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The requirement for a large bore magnet is extracted and eliminated by removing the transport incubator from the imaging process. The infant remains in the home incubator while a compact MR-compatible imaging system is brought to the incubator, allowing use of a smaller, lighter magnet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3508129B1MRI transfer table assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENT CINCINNATI

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a transfer table assembly (200) and a transfer table cart (250) for use in scanning neonatal infants with an MR scanner (102), wherein the transfer table assembly (200) is attached to the transfer cart (250). The transfer table assembly comprises a MR-compatible transfer table (120) to support a neonate and a MR-compatible transfer table base (122). The transfer table assembly also has an external profile allowing insertion into an MR scanner. The transfer cart comprises a frame and wheel design permitting the transfer table cart to dock to the MRI scanner (102) allowing the transfer table assembly to be inserted into the magnet.