Rotating MRI Magnet with Slidable Table for Vertebral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatuses for the vertebral column are large, heavy, and expensive, requiring significant space and costly patient positioning systems, and often fail to effectively image the vertebral column in its loaded condition due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A compact MRI apparatus with a magnetic structure having two opposite poles oriented perpendicular to a vertical plane and a patient positioning table that is slidable and rotatable, allowing for flexible positioning of the patient within the imaging space, including upright and horizontal orientations, to accommodate various anatomical regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a total body scanner with large magnetic structure is used, then imaging of the vertebral column is possible, but the apparatus becomes very big and heavy requiring special installation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into a compact magnetic structure and a separate patient positioning table. The magnetic structure only needs to accommodate the vertebral column region, not the entire body, thereby reducing its size and weight while maintaining imaging capability for the target area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient positioning function is extracted from the magnetic structure itself and implemented through a separate slidable table system. This allows the magnetic structure to be minimized to only the essential imaging components, reducing overall system weight and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tiltable bed or table with elevator is used for patient positioning, then various orientations can be achieved, but the patient positioning device becomes relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a slidable table mechanism that can be positioned at different locations along the magnetic structure's axis and adjusted to various angles. This dynamic positioning system provides the necessary versatility for imaging the vertebral column in different orientations without requiring complex tiltable beds or elevators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified positioning mechanism that replicates the essential functionality of complex tiltable beds through a slidable table system. The table can be moved to different positions and angles, copying the patient positioning capabilities needed for vertebral column imaging at lower cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large total body scanner is used, then the entire body can be imaged, but the apparatus is very big and requires sufficiently big installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented to focus only on the vertebral column region using a compact magnetic structure with poles positioned to create an imaging field suitable for this specific anatomical area. The slidable table allows different sections of the vertebral column to be imaged sequentially, providing adequate coverage without requiring a large total body scanner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of table movement along the magnetic structure's axis, allowing the imaging system to cover different sections of the vertebral column by positioning the table at various locations. This approach provides extended imaging coverage without increasing the size of the magnetic structure itself.
4Weight of stationary object
If the magnetic structure is made smaller and lighter, then installation becomes easier, but the capability to image the vertebral column under various conditions may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the smaller magnetic structure by making the patient positioning table dynamic and adjustable. The table can be slid to different positions and angled to accommodate various imaging conditions for the vertebral column, thereby maintaining imaging versatility despite the reduced size of the magnetic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The slidable table system serves multiple functions: positioning patients in different orientations, accommodating different sections of the vertebral column, and enabling imaging under various conditions. This multi-functional positioning system compensates for the limitations of a compact magnetic structure.
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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective imaging of the vertebral column and other body regions with a smaller, lighter magnetic structure, reducing installation costs and allowing for more versatile patient positioning, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet having a two opposite and spaced apart poles... the poles defining two opposite walls delimiting a patient-imaging space
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnet having a two poles and a wall connecting the poles; the poles delimiting a patient-imaging space; and a table which is slidably connected to one of the two poles between the two poles and which table extends substantially parallel to the two poles; a drive for displacing the table relative to the magnet; a lock for locking the table in a selected position relative to the magnet; a drive for rotating the magnet about the axis; the table connected to the magnet such that the table rotates with the magnet when the magnet rotates about the axis; the magnet and the table being rotatable from a position in which the poles and the table are horizontal to a position in which the table and the poles are vertical.