Method and apparatus for positioning an insert gradient coil within an examination region of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
US5783943A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/385
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A trolley cage (58) selectively positions an insert gradient coil (56) along a patient beam (38) of a magnetic resonance apparatus (A). The trolley cage (58) includes a lower cage assembly (62) surrounding a first exterior surface portion of the insert gradient coil (56), an upper cage assembly (60) removably secured to the lower cage assembly (62) and surrounding a second exterior surface portion of the insert gradient coil (56), and a number of wheels (90) secured to the lower cage assembly (62) for permitting the trolley cage (58) to roll along a patient beam (38) extending through an examination region of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (A). The trolley cage (58) also includes a number of pneumatic latching mechanisms (92) for locking the trolley cage (58) to the patient beam (38) when the insert gradient coil (56) is positioned at isocenter. An interlock mechanism (96, 110-116) is provided which enables the imaging systems of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus to operate only when the trolley cage is properly locked to the patient beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.