Abstract: A magnetic resonance method and apparatus for the microscopic examination of an internal region of a body (3) wherein a probe (25) is located in the body adjacent the region during the examination, and spatial encoding of r.f. signals resulting for excitation of magnetic resonance in the region is effected by a magnetic field gradient produced in the region by a coil arrangement carried by the probe.

Abstract: A one piece self-supporting collapsible plastic urology drain bag 24 is mounted to an examination end 14 of a urology table 10. The pan includes a vertical inner end wall 28, a sloping outer end wall 34, a pair of opposite side wall 30, 32, and a bottom wall 36 through which a drain port 38 is defined. The inner end wall 28 of the drain pan is secured between plates 50 and 52. The drain bag is sufficiently flexible to allow a physician to collapse the outer end wall 34 against inner end wall 28 yet with sufficient plastic memory to enable the drain pan to return to its non-flexed position when the collapsing force is removed. A retaining means 56 is disposed on each end of the upper edge of plate 52. Each retaining means comprises a support means 58 and pin 60 arrangement.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus, motion artifacts in data obtained are reduced by transmitting, during data collection, an r.f. signal of known amplitude and of a frequency different from that of the spins excited for imaging, and utilizing a signal induced by that r.f. signal in a coil (45A,45B) positioned adjacent the data signal detector means (10A,10B) to effect an alteration of the signal produced by the detector means (10A,10B) such as to reduce the motion artifacts.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system is comprised of a plurality of linearly adjustable functions and a plurality of binary selectable functions which are controlled by a multi-function joystick controller. The controller has a plurality of function select switches, a joystick, a mushroom cap rotatably engaged on the joystick, a microprocessor, a plurality of switches individually engageable by pivoting the joystick and a pair of switches individually engageable by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the mushroom cap. The switches and the microprocessor cooperate such that the selection of a first function select switches causes the operation of the joystick switches and/or mushroom cap switches to be linked to a predetermined first set of imaging system functions. Subsequently, when a second function select switches is selected the joystick switches and mushroom cap switches thereafter operate a predetermined second set of imaging system functions until another function select switch is selected.

Abstract: An x-ray source propagates radiation across an examination gap onto a intensifier tube input screen. The output screen of the intensifier tube is viewed by a video camera. A sampling means is disposed between the intensifier output screen and the video camera. The sampling means views the intensifier output screen and converts the viewed image into an electronic control signal for the x-ray source. The sampling means includes a first block pivotally secured to a second block below a receiving hole in the first block. The blocks are adjustably biased in pivoting tension about a pivot below the receiving hole. A barrel is frictionally engaged in the receiving hole. One end of the barrel is angled on one side and cutout on the other side. A mirror is fixedly disposed on the angled side such that light propagating through the cutout is reflected through the central axis of the barrel to a photo diode fixedly disposed at the other end of the barrel.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus using a transverse magnet system (29) and having a patient handling arrangement (31, 33) which allows transport of a patient into the magnet system by first moving the patient in a direction (A) at right angles to the head-to-toe axis (B) of the patient. The patient's position in the magnet system may then be adjusted by movement in the head-to-toe axis direction. The area required to accommodate the apparatus is reduced compared with apparatus wherein patient transport is effected solely in the patient's head-to-toe axis direction.

Abstract: A unitary tray base (10) includes a first region (20) and a second region (22) which are separated by a demarcation zone (16). Medical products (30) are received in pockets (32) of the first tray region. An ethylene oxide permeable lid portion (40) seals the first tray portion from the second tray portion and the ambient atmosphere. The tray and received medical products are sterilized with ethylene oxide or other sterilizing procedures. After the sterilization, a vial (50) of contrast agent, which cannot be present during the sterilizing, is placed in a pocket (50a) of the second tray portion. A second lid portion (52) seals the vial in the second tray portion. The lid portions are marked (60-68) to indicate that the contents of the first region are sterile and the contents of the second region are not.

Abstract: A coil (17) for use as a surface r.f. coil in magnetic resonance apparatus comprising a conductor (25) wound helically to form a coil of overall laminar form with the parts of the conductor on one main face (29) more closely spaced to one another than are the parts of the conductor on the other main face (31). The coil is used to induce or detect an r.f. field locally in a body under investigation by positioning it with the main face having the more closely spaced conductor parts adjacent the body. The closer spacing improves coupling to the body while allowing the coil to be thinner, and therefore less bulky, than a coil of comparable performance with the same conductor part spacing on both main faces.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method comprising the steps of exciting magnetic resonance in nuclei in a planar region of a body, applying a first gradient magnetic field having a periodically reversing gradient in a first direction across the region in conjunction with a series of pulses of a second gradient magnetic field in a second direction across the region orthogonal to the first direction, progressively decreasing the time between successive pulses of the second gradient, sensing resonance signals from the nuclei, and subjecting the resonance signals to a two-dimensional Fourier Transform process to acquire data relating to the region of the body. In the method the time between successive pulses of the second gradient is decreased in such a manner as to avoid acquisition of data in respect of areas in the corners of a rectangular matrix defined by the first and second gradient fields.

Abstract: A method of reducing the effects of eddy currents produced by a gradient magnetic field pulse pattern applied to a body in a magnetic resonance method by selecting the rates of change of magnetic flux produced during the edges of the or each pulse of the pulse pattern in relation to the times elapsing between the edges and the time constants of the eddy currents.

Abstract: X-Ray system for X-ray diagnosis and/or X-Ray treatment with a control console having control keys that serve in particular to retrieve from a program register organ-related programmed reference values for an X-Ray generator and an attached X-Ray machine, with a display device on the control console. The display device is embodied as a multiplace alphanumeric display device, into which the contents of the storage zones of a text storage area can be called as plain language text through actuation of switches and control keys. In particular, organ-related texts, errors, status messages and infrequently recalled operational data, can be retrieved. The display device can furthermore be connected to a test and diagnostic system or to a switch junction matrix, so that test programs for electronic modules, components or new output connections can be selected through interactive communication using the display device.

Abstract: An r.f. antenna for use in a magnetic resonance method or apparatus comprising two sub-systems (17A, 17B) each comprising a relatively large area conductor means (29A, 29B) and a return current path conductor means (33A, 33B) which together act as a transmission line tuned to the frequency of the r.f. The two sub-systems are placed on opposite sides of a body (7) under examination with the large area conductor means in facing relationship, and when used to apply an r.f. field to the body, are excited so that the r.f. currents in the two large area conductor means at any given instant are in opposite directions. The large area conductor means of each sub-system may be planar or convexly or concavely curved, and may comprise a single sheet of conducting material or an array of conducting strips in spaced relationship.

Abstract: A fluid controlled counterbalance and power-assist system for use in a diagnostic x-ray imaging system includes a first member and a second member movably mounted to said first member. A slave actuator including a reciprocal piston is selectively coupled between the first and second members. Fluid coupling ports are located on each end of the cylinder for coupling working fluid to either side of the piston. First and second master actuators each including a cylinder are located remote from the imaging system. Each master actuator has fluid coupling ports selectively located on each end of its cylinder for coupling working fluid to one side of the cylinder and control fluid to the other side. Working fluid connection lines connect one end of the slave actuator to one end of the first master actuator and connect the opposite end of the slave actuator to the second master actuator for providing working fluid flow between said actuators.

Abstract: An energy discriminating apparatus and method is disclosed for use in connection with digital radiography and fluoroscopy. In use of the detection system and method an X-ray source is actuated to direct X-rays through a patient's body, the X-rays including both higher and lower energy radiation. A first detector element, including a plurality of segments each segment including a phosphor coating layer and a sensor, is positioned opposite the source to receive and respond predominantly to X-rays in a lower energy range, the remaining X-rays, being generally of higher energy, passing through the first detector element. A second detector element, also including a plurality of segments, each segment including a phosphor coating layer and a sensor, is positioned to receive and respond to the higher energy radiation passing through the first element.

Abstract: A proximity type image intensifier having an evacuated electrically conductive tube envelope is described. The image intensifier tube includes improved structure for supporting components within the tube envelope. The support structure includes a support ring having a first inwardly extending edge portion which defines a support surface for supporting the component, and a second inwardly extending edge portion which defines a compression surface and component access aperture. The retaining ring includes a planar inner surface and an outer edge surface. The inner surface contacts the component supported in the support ring. The retaining ring is allowed to expand whereupon the outer edge surface engages the support ring compression surface. Radial expansion of the retaining ring creates an axial compression force between the retaining ring inner surface and the support surface about the circumference of the component being supported.

Abstract: An RF coil arrangement (23) in a magnetic resonance apparatus wherein a static magnetic field for application to a body under examination is produced in a gap (3) between a pair of pole pieces (5). The RF coil arrangement comprises at least one coil (45 or 47) having a first part (49,51) fixed secured to a part (5) of the apparatus adjacent the gap and a further part (53) which is detachably electrically connected to the first part to provide easy access to the gap when placing in, or removing from, the gap a body to be imaged. The further part of the coil may be wholly detachable from the first part or pivotally mounted on a first portion (49) of the first part and detachable from a second portion (51) of the first part on pivotal movement of the further part with respect to the first portion of the first part.

Abstract: A radiographic/fluoroscopic X-ray system is disclosed employing a new and improved apparatus for supporting a patient under examination. The system includes a table assembly comprising a main support structured and a patient support member. The patient support member is movably mounted to the main support structure while maintaining a clearance space therebetween. A guard means, mounted to one end of the patient support member is provided to discourage inadvertent placement of a patient's fingers in the clearance space. The guard means is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material and extends above the clearance space and beyond the end of the patient support member. The guard means defines a space for finger placement which is remote from the clearance space.

Abstract: A magnet arrangement for producing a magnet field in a gap (3) between a pair of pole pieces (1), e.g. to provide the main magnetic field for application to a subject for magnetic resonance imaging, wherein adjacent the pole pieces the magnet core 15 has sections 17 of restricted cross-sectional area which serve to improve the homogeneity of the field in the gap.

Abstract: A magnet system (1) for a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging apparatus comprising a magnetic core arrangement (7, 13, 15) shaped to provide two or more discrete gaps (3, 5) of different sizes in which objects to be imaged may be placed, the magnetic field across each gap being produced by a single drive coil arrangement (9) associated with the core arrangement. A system providing gaps of different sizes, for different types of NMR examination is thus provided at relatively low cost compared with using a separate magnet system for each type of examination.