Body rest for magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneeFonar Corporation
InventorsJevan Damadian, William H. Wahl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
System, apparatus and method for performing magnet resonance imaging. The apparatus comprises first and second members for distributing the weight of a patient to be imaged in a substantially upright position between the patient's knees and buttocks. The system comprises a horizontal field magnet magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in combination with the apparatus. In accordance with the method a patient is imaged in an ergonomic position with the patient's weight distributed between the patient's buttocks and knees.
Claims37
A patient positioning apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the system being capable of generating a horizontal magnetic field, comprising:
- a patient support having a support surface adapted to receive at least one rest member;
- and
- a first rest member engaged to said patient support and positioned to provide a rest area for a patient's knee or buttocks while the patient's anterior to posterior axis is substantially parallel to the horizontal magnetic field,
- wherein said support surface includes a pair of slots extending in a longitudinal direction along the patient support and pairs of pockets disposed within said slots such that each of the pockets forming a pair is disposed laterally along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and wherein each of said first and second rest members are engaged to said patient support by respective pairs of pockets.
A patient positioning apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, comprising:
- a patient support having a support surface adapted to receive at least two rest members and a patient in a substantially upright position;
- a first rest member engaged to said patient support and positioned to provide a rest area for a patient's knee;
- and
- a second rest member engaged to said patient support and positioned to provide a rest area for the patient's buttocks.
A magnetic resonance imaging system, comprising:
- a magnet having a pair of elements spaced apart from one another along a horizontal magnetic field axis and defining a patient-receiving space there between;
- a patient support disposed within said patient-receiving space, said patient support having a support surface that is adaptable to receive patient support fixtures;
- a first support fixture connectable to said patient support in a position capable of supporting the knees of a patient oriented in a substantially upright position;
- and
- a second support fixture connectable to said patient support in a position capable of supporting the buttocks of the patient.
A method of positioning a patient for magnetic resonance imaging, comprising:
- providing a magnet having a pair of elements spaced apart along a horizontal magnetic field axis and defining a patient-receiving space therebetween;
- and
- positioning a patient in a substantially upright position in the patient receiving space such that the patient's weight is distributed at least between the patient's knees and buttocks.
A method of positioning a patient for magnetic resonance imaging, comprising:
- establishing a horizontal static magnetic field between a pair of elements;
- positioning a patient on a patient support between the pair of elements such that a portion of the patient's weight is supported by a first fixture connected to the patient support and adjusted to provide a rest area for either the patient's knee or buttocks with the patient's anterior to posterior axis being substantially parallel to the horizontal magnetic field;
- and
- eliciting magnetic resonance signals by applying radio frequency excitation energy to the patient's body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.