Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrical device or component (40) and a radio frequency shield arranged to shield the electrical device or component. The apparatus is disposed in a radio frequency (Bi) field generated by a magnetic resonance scanner and in time varying magnetic field gradients generated by the magnetic resonance scanner (10). The radio frequency shield includes an electrically conductive sheet or layer having openings suppressing time varying magnetic field gradient induced vibration of the radio frequency shield.

Abstract: A magnetic field modem (26) includes an electro-magnetic radiation shielded (90) transmitter section (34) and a receiver section (36). The electro-magnetic radiation shielded (90) transmitter section (34) modulates data and transmits the data via a magnetic field through a radio frequency shield (20). The receiver section (34) receives the magnetic field through the radio frequency shield (20) and demodulates the data. The transmitter section includes an oscillator (40), a modulator (50), an amplifier (70), a magnetic transducer (80), and a non-ferrous magnetic shield (90). The oscillator (40) generates a carrier signal. The modulator (50) connects to the oscillator (40) and modulates the carrier signal with the data. The amplifier (70) connects to the modulator (50) and amplifies the modulated carrier signal. The magnetic transducer (80) connects to the amplifier (70) and converts the modulated carrier signal into a modulated magnetic signal.

Abstract: An RF shielded room (14) which houses a magnetic resonance scanner (12) also houses a patient monitor (20) which includes a plurality of sensors (18) which collect physiological data about a patient undergoing a magnetic resonance examination. The monitor includes a transmitter (46) which transmits the physiological data on at least two frequency channels of a broadband frequency spectrum. A communication unit (26) located outside the RF shielded room includes first and second receivers (54, 58) which receive the physiological data from the monitor on the first and second frequency channels, respectively. A processor (62) combines physiological data received by the first and second receivers to. A display (32) displays the combined physiological data. A switch (56) switches antenna connections of the receivers (54, 58) responsive to detection of multipath fade.

Abstract: A magnetic field modem (26) includes an electro-magnetic radiation shielded (90) transmitter section (34) and a receiver section (36). The electro-magnetic radiation shielded (90) transmitter section (34) modulates data and transmits the data via a magnetic field through a radio frequency shield (20). The receiver section (34) receives the magnetic field through the radio frequency shield (20) and demodulates the data. The transmitter section includes an oscillator (40), a modulator (50), an amplifier (70), a magnetic transducer (80), and a non-ferrous magnetic shield (90). The oscillator (40) generates a carrier signal. The modulator (50) connects to the oscillator (40) and modulates the carrier signal with the data. The amplifier (70) connects to the modulator (50) and amplifies the modulated carrier signal. The magnetic transducer (80) connects to the amplifier (70) and converts the modulated carrier signal into a modulated magnetic signal.

Abstract: A robust MR compatible ECG monitor (40) includes a connector (50) for connecting ECG electrode leads (44) to an internal circuit board (52). The connector (50) includes connector pins (54) that run parallel to the circuit board (52) and tangentially contact solder pads (56) of the circuit board (52) at the edge of the circuit board (52), eliminating sharp or right angle turns in conduction paths. The connector prevents movement of the connections due to mechanical stresses in all ranges of motion relative to four degrees of freedom, including translation, pitching, yawing, and rolling.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system detects physiological signals from a patient during an MRI examination. The patient monitoring system wirelessly transmits data associated with the physiological signals to a remote base unit. The wireless transmission of data is carried out in a manner to not be disruptive to the MRI examination. The patient monitoring system has a removable, MRI magnet compatible battery.

Abstract: A storage device has a storage medium, a set of credentials stored on the storage medium, and a controller. The controller within the storage device is coupled to the storage medium, and adapted to identify security status of the storage device. The controller is adapted to alter one or more credentials of the set of credentials responsive to the security status.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrical device or component (40) and a radio frequency shield arranged to shield the electrical device or component. The apparatus is disposed in a radio frequency (Bi) field generated by a magnetic resonance scanner and in time varying magnetic field gradients generated by the magnetic resonance scanner (10). The radio frequency shield includes an electrically conductive sheet or layer having openings suppressing time varying magnetic field gradient induced vibration of the radio frequency shield.

Abstract: An RF shielded room (14) which houses a magnetic resonance scanner (12) also houses a patient monitor (20) which includes a plurality of sensors (18) which collect physiological data about a patient undergoing a magnetic resonance examination. The monitor includes a transmitter (46) which transmits the physiological data on at least two frequency channels of a broadband frequency spectrum. A communication unit (26) located outside the RF shielded room includes first and second receivers (54, 58) which receive the physiological data from the monitor on the first and second frequency channels, respectively. A processor (62) combines physiological data received by the first and second receivers to. A display (32) displays the combined physiological data. A switch (56) switches antenna connections of the receivers (54, 58) responsive to detection of multipath fade.

Abstract: A storage device includes an interface for receiving and outputting messages for processing data units, wherein each data unit includes message input field parameters, message output field parameters, and content field parameters, a non-volatile memory for storing data units, a volatile memory, and a processor coupled to the interface, the non-volatile memory and the volatile memory, for manipulation of the parameter values in the data units, and storing the data units in at least one of the non-volatile memory and the volatile memory.

Abstract: A base unit operable with a wireless patient monitoring unit used to acquire physiological data during an MRI examination is constructed to have a detachable display unit. The detachable display unit wirelessly communicates with the base unit when in a roving mode. The detachable display unit may also have a magnetically-hardened power supply that does not saturate during an MRI examination. Such a magnetically-hardened power supply allows the display unit to operate when proximate or in the magnetic field generated by an MRI machine during an MRI examination.

Abstract: A wireless patient monitor for MRI provides for on-board filtering of physiological signals from the patient to provide improved assessment and processing of MRI noise before the signal is affected by the transmission process. A system of powering of a wireless patient monitor using capacitors is also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced security features in a storage device involves partitioning a storage media in the storage device into a hidden partition and a storage partition in the storage media. A base class is written to the hidden partition. A security provider base class is instantiated from the base class. The security provider base class is adapted to control access to the storage media.

Abstract: A method for recovering a password includes: obtaining a request code from a data storage device, transmitting the request code to an external authority that produces a recovery code from the request code, and using the recovery code to recover a password and an encryption key from a hidden area of the data storage device. An apparatus that can be used to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: A robust MR compatible ECG monitor (40) includes a connector (50) for connecting ECG electrode leads (44) to an internal circuit board (52). The connector (50) includes connector pins (54) that run parallel to the circuit board (52) and tangentially contact solder pads (56) of the circuit board (52) at the edge of the circuit board (52), eliminating sharp or right angle turns in conduction paths. The connector prevents movement of the connections due to mechanical stresses in all ranges of motion relative to four degrees of freedom, including translation, pitching, yawing, and rolling.

Abstract: A wireless patient monitor for MRI provides for on-board filtering of physiological signals from the patient to provide improved assessment and processing of MRI noise before the signal is affected by the transmission process. A system of powering of a wireless patient monitor using capacitors is also provided.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system detects physiological signals from a patient during an MRI examination. The patient monitoring system wirelessly transmits data associated with the physiological signals to a remote base unit. The wireless transmission of data is carried out in a manner to not be disruptive to the MRI examination. The patient monitoring system has a removable, MRI magnet compatible battery.

Abstract: A base unit operable with a wireless patient monitoring unit used to acquire physiological data during an MRI examination is constructed to have a detachable display unit. The detachable display unit wirelessly communicates with the base unit when in a roving mode. The detachable display unit may also have a magnetically-hardened power supply that does not saturate during an MRI examination. Such a magnetically-hardened power supply allows the display unit to operate when proximate or in the magnetic field generated by an MRI machine during an MRI examination.

Abstract: A data storage device (such as a magnetic disk drive), which has a built-in encryption function using a self generated cipher key. The data storage device uses the cipher key to routinely encrypt the incoming data without instruction and/or control by the host system or other components that are external to the device and its dedicated controls (e.g., a disk drive controller card). The encryption function is a built-in function or self-contained function of the drive and/or it dedicated controller. To permanently delete the entire content of the drive, the cipher key is located and erased to render the ciphertext that is stored in the storage device unusable. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data disposal is managed on a file basis through the use of a plurality of internally generated file-specific cipher keys, which are managed through the aid of an internal key library.

Abstract: A method for recovering a password includes: obtaining a request code from a data storage device, transmitting the request code to an external authority that produces a recovery code from the request code, and using the recovery code to recover a password and an encryption key from a hidden area of the data storage device. An apparatus that can be used to implement the method is also provided.