Off-magnet Patient Scan Positioning with Alignment Laser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning systems in medical imaging and therapy pose risks to operators from strong magnetic fields or radiation, limit patient throughput, and cause discomfort and anxiety for patients due to the need for alignment at the MRI scanner, which restricts efficient preparation and imaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system using a linearly translatable tabletop with an elongated position selector allows for the selection and alignment of a region of interest without moving the patient, enabling docking away from the scanner and reducing exposure to magnetic fields or radiation, while allowing simultaneous preparation and imaging of multiple patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patient positioning is performed at the MRI scanner using existing alignment methods, then alignment precision is achieved, but operator exposure to strong magnetic fields increases and patient throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment laser as an intermediary tool that allows positioning to be performed at a distance from the MRI scanner. The laser provides visual alignment guidance without requiring the operator to be in close proximity to the magnet, thus maintaining alignment precision while reducing magnetic field exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary patient positioning and preparation to be performed away from the scanner using the alignment laser and extended tabletop. This preliminary action allows the couch to be pre-positioned before the patient enters the scanner, improving throughput while maintaining alignment accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If patient positioning is performed at the MRI scanner, then alignment precision is achieved, but patient throughput is limited due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary patient positioning and preparation to be performed away from the scanner using the alignment laser and extended tabletop. This preliminary action allows the couch to be pre-positioned before the patient enters the scanner, enabling parallel processing and improving throughput while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the positioning process into two segments: initial positioning using the alignment laser at the extended tabletop, and final precision alignment at the scanner. This segmentation allows concurrent patient preparation and imaging, improving throughput while maintaining overall alignment precision.
3Measurement precision
If patient positioning requires movement on the motorized tabletop for laser alignment, then alignment precision is achieved, but patient comfort and anxiety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the patient on the motorized tabletop to achieve alignment, the patent inverts the approach by extending the tabletop and alignment laser away from the scanner. This allows the patient to remain stationary while the alignment system approaches them, maintaining precision while improving comfort and reducing anxiety.
Data Source
AI summary
To position an imaging subject (16) in an imaging or therapy system (10), the imaging subject (16) is arranged on a linearly translatable tabletop (26) disposed on a movable trolley (30). A position of a region of interest (24) of the imaging subject along the linearly translatable tabletop is selected using an elongated position selector (40, 40′, 40″) that is elongated in a translation direction (z) of the linearly translatable tabletop (26). After the selecting, the movable trolley is docked with the imaging or therapy system (10). After the docking, the tabletop is linearly translated to move the imaging subject to the imaging or therapy system, the amount of linear translating being based on the selected position of a region of interest along the linearly translatable tabletop.