Patient alignment system for NMR studies
US4629989A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1983 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S505/844
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A patient alignment system utilizes stationary and mobile light fan beams for precisely positioning a patient for performing NMR studies. One assembly of preferably laser light sources is utilized to create a visible reference point for aligning a patient anatomical reference in the staged scan position. The reference position is then used as a reference to locate the scan volume and to automatically translate the patient so that the scan volume is in the optimum homogeneous region of the polarizing magnetic field. Two laser assemblies, each separately operable to provide a vertically movable laser fan beam, are used to locate a vertical reference point. The vertical reference point is used to retrospectively reconstruct images centered in the field of view. The vertical reference point is used to obtain prospectively image data to reconstruct magnified zoom or unmagnified images offset from the isocenter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.