Modular MRI Video Display Mounting for Flexible Patient Viewing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video playback systems for MRI patients are cumbersome, limit patient mobility, require direct skin contact, and often interfere with MRI scans due to magnetic compatibility issues, failing to provide flexible, compact, and non-isolating entertainment options across various patient positions.

Innovation Solution

A modular video playback device with detachable display units, wireless power and data transmission, and adjustable mounting brackets for different patient positions, using optical arrangements to project images without direct contact and minimize magnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mirror is attached to a head coil to redirect the patient's view to a monitor, then the patient can view video content, but the image size depends on the patient's lying position which degrades image perception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo viewing capabilityVSAvoidimage size consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support arrangement allows the display device to be positioned laterally at a distance from the patient's head, creating a dynamic viewing geometry that maintains consistent image size across different patient positions. The optical arrangement projects the image from this lateral position, ensuring the image size remains stable regardless of whether the patient is in HFS, HFD, or other positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If video goggles are used to provide video content to the patient, then the patient can view content in any position, but the patient is completely isolated from the outside world and preparation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo viewing in all positionsVSAvoidpatient isolation and preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is extracted from the patient's direct field of view and positioned laterally at a distance, supported by a support arrangement that holds it aside from the head coil area. This allows the patient to view content without being enclosed by goggles, maintaining awareness of surroundings while enabling video viewing in all patient positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a heavy Innovision device with a parabolic mirror is used to magnify video images, then video content can be displayed, but the device height limits the patient table height and requires mechanical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo image displayVSAvoiddevice height and table height limitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a vertical arrangement with a parabolic mirror that projects upward, the invention positions the display device laterally in a horizontal dimension, supported by an adjustable support arrangement. This dimensional change eliminates the need for height limitations on the patient table while still providing video display functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Power

If a cable with power supply and signal transmission is attached to video goggles, then the video system can operate, but MRI compatibility is compromised and hygiene maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo system operationVSAvoidMRI compatibility and hygiene
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical cable connection system with wireless power and data transmission technologies, eliminating physical cables that would interfere with MRI magnetic fields and eliminate hygiene concerns associated with cable attachments to the patient's head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 flexible, compact, and MRI-compatible video playback that maintains patient awareness of surroundings, reducing preparation time and minimizing image artifacts across multiple patient positions.

Implementation Method 1

an optical arrangement attached to the support arrangement, in particular at least partially in front of the respective eye, for projecting an image output by the display device to the eye in the use position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical projection: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP4707842A1Modular video playback device for a patient lying on a magnetic resonance device and magnetic resonance device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • EP4707842A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707842A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4707842A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular video playback device (6) for a patient on a patient bed (5) in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device (1), comprising: - at least one display module (9) with a display unit for each of the left and right eyes (25) of the patient's head (15), wherein each display unit comprises a display device (27), a support arrangement (26) for holding the display device (27) in a position spaced away from the head (15), in particular laterally, when the display unit is in a use position, and an optical arrangement (31) attached to the support arrangement (26), in particular at least partially in front of the respective eye (25), for projecting an image output by the display device (27) to the eye (25) in the use position, - at least one holder (10),which is detachably connectable to the display module (9) and has fastening means for detachably attaching the holder (10) to at least one component (7) arranged and/or arrangable on the patient bed (5), - a data transmission arrangement (12) connectable to the display module (9), and - a power supply arrangement (11) connectable to the display module (9).