Rotatable MRI Patient Bench with Non-Metallic Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing open MRI systems lack flexibility in patient positioning, which limits the ability to achieve optimal orientations for examination and can cause claustrophobia and discomfort due to closed spaces.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic resonance imaging system with a U-shaped magnet and a transport system featuring a non-metallic track and motor-driven bench with rotatable and adjustable parts, allowing for precise positioning within the open magnetic imaging area without introducing ferromagnetic materials that could distort the magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a motor-driven bench with rotatable parts is used for flexible patient positioning, then patient positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient positioning flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bench is designed with motor-driven rotatable parts that can dynamically adjust to various positions and orientations. The backrest can rotate around a first rotational axis, and the leg rest can rotate around a second rotational axis, allowing the system to adapt to different patient positioning requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If non-metallic track material is used to prevent magnetic field distortion, then magnetic field quality is improved, but friction and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field qualityVSAvoidfriction and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The track is constructed from non-metallic composite materials that are specifically selected to be compatible with magnetic resonance imaging. These composite materials provide the necessary mechanical strength and durability while being non-magnetic, thus preventing distortion of the magnetic field. The composite nature of the material helps reduce friction compared to traditional metallic tracks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS7944208B2Active image area positioning with adjustable patient bench permitting chair-shaped patient transport into and out of an open MRI apparatus system
Publication Date: 2011.05.17 PARAMED MEDICAL SYST
  • US7944208B2 patent drawing
  • US7944208B2 patent drawing
  • US7944208B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging System consisting of a magnet (10) with a U-shaped frame (15), whose pole faces define an open magnetic imaging area [R] for a patient, and a magnetic field generator (17) that is controlled to generate magnetic fields inside the magnetic imaging area; a transport system (30) associated with the magnet has a support structure (20) that defines a movement path through the magnetic imaging area. The transport system (30) also includes a bench (40) to support the patient. The transport system (30) can slide the bench (40) along the support structure so that the patient can be introduced into and extracted from the magnetic imaging area. The bench (40) may further include a non-reclinable support part (41) coupled to reclinable support parts (42 and 43) at opposing ends to allow the position of patient to be rotatably changed on the bench (40).