MRI Compatible Patient Trolley with Fixed Motor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient trolleys face challenges in safely transporting patients to MRI environments due to the strong magnetic fields, which can interfere with ferromagnetic materials and disrupt the operation of motors and blowers, making it difficult to transfer patients without risking safety or equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A trolley system with a patient support portion, a base portion for floor movement, and actuators with electric motors mounted to remain fixed relative to the base, ensuring the magnetic field does not interfere with their operation, along with an electric blower affixed to the trolley to prevent magnetic attraction and provide air for patient transfer, maintaining operability and safety within MRI environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ferromagnetic materials are used in patient trolley construction, then structural strength and motor operation are improved, but magnetic attraction force increases causing safety hazards in MRI environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from ferromagnetic to non-ferromagnetic materials throughout the trolley construction. This parameter change eliminates magnetic attraction while maintaining structural integrity through careful selection of non-ferromagnetic materials that provide adequate strength for patient transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction using non-ferromagnetic materials such as aluminum alloys, titanium, or fiber-reinforced polymers. These composite materials provide the necessary structural strength without containing ferromagnetic components, thereby eliminating magnetic attraction hazards in MRI environments.
2Power
If motors are positioned for optimal operation, then actuator performance is improved, but magnetic field interference increases disrupting motor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor from the MRI environment by positioning it in the base portion outside the bore area. This spatial extraction removes the motor from the harmful magnetic field zone while maintaining its functional connection to the actuator through non-ferromagnetic drive mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-ferromagnetic intermediary components such as gears, belts, or shafts made from non-ferromagnetic materials. These intermediaries transmit mechanical power from the motor to the actuator without being affected by magnetic fields, thereby protecting the motor operation from magnetic interference.
3Productivity
If blowers are positioned for optimal air delivery, then patient transfer capability is improved, but magnetic attraction force increases pulling blower into MRI
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blower from the MRI environment by positioning it in the base portion outside the bore. This spatial extraction eliminates magnetic attraction on the blower while maintaining its air delivery function through non-ferromagnetic air delivery pathways to the patient transfer device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses non-ferromagnetic intermediaries such as flexible hoses or ducts made from non-ferromagnetic materials to deliver air from the blower to the patient transfer device. These intermediaries transmit air flow without being attracted to magnetic fields, ensuring continuous operation during patient transfer.
4Productivity
If trolley is positioned close to target modality, then patient transfer efficiency is improved, but magnetic field strength increases causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter of the entire trolley system to non-ferromagnetic materials. This parameter change allows the trolley to be positioned close to the target modality without experiencing magnetic attraction, thereby maintaining high patient transfer efficiency while eliminating safety risks from magnetic field exposure.
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
The trolley system effectively transports patients to MRI devices with minimal magnetic attraction force, ensuring safe and reliable operation of motors and blowers, reducing the risk of ferromagnetic components being pulled into the MRI, and facilitating smooth patient transfers while avoiding the need for long hoses and electrical cords.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one actuator, said actuator causing motion in at least one degree of freedom
Implementation Method 2
an electric blower coupled to the base portion and fixed to prevent movement of the blower relative to the trolley system, the blower being configured to deliver air to a feature
Data Source
AI summary
A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.