Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a biologic fluid sample quiescently residing within a chamber is provided. The chamber includes a first panel and a second panel, between which the biologic fluid sample quiescently resides. At least one of the first and second panels is flexible. The chamber has one or more fields that are each defined by a cross-sectional area. The apparatus comprises a field illuminator, a chamber flattener, a positioner, and an image dissector. The field illuminator has an objective lens. The chamber flattener has a platen with a window and a cover plate. The chamber flattener is operable to cause the chamber to assume a substantially uniform Z-axis position for substantially all of the fields within the chamber. The positioner is adapted to position the objective lens and the chamber relative to one another. The image dissector is adapted to image the sample residing within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a biologic fluid sample quiescently residing within a chamber is provided. The chamber includes a first panel and a second panel, between which the biologic fluid sample quiescently resides. At least one of the first and second panels is flexible. The chamber has one or more fields that are each defined by a cross-sectional area. The apparatus comprises a field illuminator, a chamber flattener, a positioner, and an image dissector. The field illuminator has an objective lens. The chamber flattener has a platen with a window and a cover plate. The chamber flattener is operable to cause the chamber to assume a substantially uniform Z-axis position for substantially all of the fields within the chamber. The positioner is adapted to position the objective lens and the chamber relative to one another. The image dissector is adapted to image the sample residing within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of removing heat from an MR imaging device while maintaining internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits, thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved image quality as well as, allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The system includes a vacuum chamber housing the gradient coils and a vacuum pump connected thereto to regulate the pressure and humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger, coolant pump, and controller are provided to regulate the temperature of coolant designed to dissipate heat from the gradient coils in response to at least one temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of removing heat from an MR imaging device while maintaining internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits, thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved image quality as well as, allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The system includes a vacuum chamber housing the gradient coils and a vacuum pump connected thereto to regulate the pressure and humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger, coolant pump, and controller are provided to regulate the temperature of coolant designed to dissipate heat from the gradient coils in response to at least one temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control used in conjunction with a vacuous chamber enclosing the gradient coils of an MRI apparatus to predict heat dissipation requirements to maintain internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits thereby enabling higher power applications for faster-imaging with improved quality, as well as allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The control includes determining operating parameters of an imminent scan session and predicting therefrom maximum and minimum operating temperatures. The predicted maximum and minimum temperatures are compared to maximum and minimum temperatures required for proper operation of the MRI system. If necessary, the operating profile is adjusted to drive the predicted temperatures to satisfy the temperatures required by environmental and device guidelines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control used in conjunction with a vacuous chamber enclosing the gradient coils of an MRI apparatus to predict heat dissipation requirements to maintain internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved quality, as well as allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The control includes determining operating parameters of an imminent scan session and predicting therefrom maximum and minimum operating temperatures. The predicted maximum and minimum temperatures are compared to maximum and minimum temperatures required for proper operation of the MRI system. If necessary, the operating profile is adjusted to drive the predicted temperatures to satisfy the temperatures required by environmental and device guidelines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of removing heat from an MR imaging device while maintaining internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits, thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved image quality as well as, allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The system includes a vacuum chamber housing the gradient coils and a vacuum pump connected thereto to regulate the pressure and humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger, coolant pump, and controller are provided to regulate the temperature of coolant designed to dissipate heat from the gradient coils in response to at least one temperature sensor.