Abstract: When imaging a patient using a magnetic resonance (MR) imager, it is desirable to locate an radio frequency (RF) head coil at a position lower than the flat table top patient surface in order to optimize the geometry of the patient anatomy and the RF coil. A flat table top is provided for an MR patient support table (10) that includes a pocket or recessed portion (50) that accepts an RF head coil (14), thereby optimizing imaging geometry. When the RF coil is not mated to the recessed portion of the table (10) a filler insert (20) is mated therewith. This allows an operator to use the table top without the filler insert to position a neurovascular coil at an optimized location below the table top surface for brain imaging, as well as to convert the patient support table back to a completely flat top by removing the coil and installing the flat surface filler insert for additional positioning requirements.

Abstract: An isolation system with imaging or radiation therapy capability is disclosed. At least one containment barrier (14, 15, 16, 17) defines an isolation region (10). An imaging or therapy system (20) is disposed outside of the isolation region. The containment barrier includes a substantially hollow tubular extension (24, 42, 44, 124, 224, 324) protruding away from the isolation region (10). The substantially hollow tubular extension surrounds an interior volume (26) that is in fluid communication with the isolation region and is in fluid isolation from the imaging or therapy system. The substantially hollow tubular extension is made at least partially of a material providing operative communication between the imaging or therapy system and the interior volume of the substantially hollow tubular extension.

Abstract: When imaging a patient using a magnetic resonance (MR) imager, it is desirable to locate an radio frequency (RF) head coil at a position lower than the flat table top patient surface in order to optimize the geometry of the patient anatomy and the RF coil. A flat table top is provided for an MR patient support table (10) that includes a pocket or recessed portion (50) that accepts an RF head coil (14), thereby optimizing imaging geometry. When the RF coil is not mated to the recessed portion of the table (10) a filler insert (20) is mated therewith. This allows an operator to use the table top without the filler insert to position a neurovascular coil at an optimized location below the table top surface for brain imaging, as well as to convert the patient support table back to a completely flat top by removing the coil and installing the flat surface filler insert for additional positioning requirements.

Abstract: There are occasions when a medical facility has the need to image subject that have been contaminated with a hazardous or communicable chemical or biological agent. Occurrences of such conditions are often too remote to justify having diagnostic scanners dedicated to such imaging. A contaminated or “hot” chamber (20) interfaces with one or more uncontaminated imaging suites or “cold” chambers (22). The hot chamber (20) includes barrier walls (16) with selectively deployable containment tubes (14) that when deployed, are sealed with the barrier wall (16) and extend from the barrier wall into the gantry of the cold chamber scanners. The tubes (14) extend the hot chamber (20) can be extended into the cold chambers (22) for imaging while remaining sealed, isolating the hot subjects from the cold imaging equipment. The imagers can thus be used for both normal clinical scanning and hot patient scanning.

Abstract: A subject loading system is provided for moving a subject disposed in an isolation zone into and out of a diagnostic system disposed outside the isolation zone. A tube extends away from the isolation zone. The tube has an inner volume open to the isolation zone and operatively coupled with the diagnostic system. An elongated subject support pallet is disposed in the isolation zone and dimensioned to fit into the tube. A base including a mechanical drive is disposed in the isolation zone and is configured to align the elongated subject support pallet with the tube and to move the elongated subject support pallet into and out of the tube.

Abstract: There are occasions when a medical facility has the need to image subject that have been contaminated with a hazardous or communicable chemical or biological agent. Occurrences of such conditions are often too remote to justify having diagnostic scanners dedicated to such imaging. A contaminated or “hot” chamber (20) interfaces with one or more uncontaminated imaging suites or “cold” chambers (22). The hot chamber (20) includes barrier walls (16) with selectively deployable containment tubes (14) that when deployed, are sealed with the barrier wall (16) and extend from the barrier wall into the gantry of the cold chamber scanners. The tubes (14) extend the hot chamber (20) can be extended into the cold chambers (22) for imaging while remaining sealed, isolating the hot subjects from the cold imaging equipment. The imagers can thus be used for both normal clinical scanning and hot patient scanning.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging scanner includes a generally cylindrical main magnet assembly (10) that defines a cylinder axis (16). A first set of shims (60) are rigidly positioned inside the magnet assembly (10) at about a first distance (d1) relative to the cylinder axis (16). A second set of shims (62) are rigidly positioned inside the main magnet assembly (10) at about a second distance (d2) relative to the cylinder axis (16). The second distance (d2) is different from the first distance (d1). A generally cylindrical radio frequency coil (26) is arranged inside the main magnet assembly (10) at about a third distance (d3) relative to the cylinder axis (16). A plurality of gradient coils (20) are arranged inside the main magnet assembly (10) at about a fourth distance (d4) relative to the cylinder axis (16).

Abstract: A subject loading system is provided for moving a subject disposed in an isolation zone into and out of a diagnostic system disposed outside the isolation zone. A tube extends away from the isolation zone. The tube has an inner volume open to the isolation zone and operatively coupled with the diagnostic system. An elongated subject support pallet is disposed in the isolation zone and dimensioned to fit into the tube. A base including a mechanical drive is disposed in the isolation zone and is configured to align the elongated subject support pallet with the tube and to move the elongated subject support pallet into and out of the tube.

Abstract: An isolation system with imaging or radiation therapy capability is disclosed. At least one containment barrier (14, 15, 16, 17) defines an isolation region (10). An imaging or therapy system (20) is disposed outside of the isolation region. The containment barrier includes a substantially hollow tubular extension (24, 42, 44, 124, 224, 324) protruding away from the isolation region (10). The substantially hollow tubular extension surrounds an interior volume (26) that is in fluid communication with the isolation region and is in fluid isolation from the imaging or therapy system. The substantially hollow tubular extension is made at least partially of a material providing operative communication between the imaging or therapy system and the interior volume of the substantially hollow tubular extension.

Abstract: A docking assembly connected to a movable couch (30) docks the couch with an imaging apparatus (10). Couch alignment surfaces (72) mate with corresponding alignment surfaces (64) of a connecting region (50) of the imaging apparatus (10) to define a docked position of the movable couch (30) with respect to the imaging apparatus. A docking sensor (160) detects the movable couch (30) approaching the docked position. A latch (82) mates with the connecting region (50) of the imaging to apparatus (10). An actuator (130, 154) cooperates with the latch (82) to bias the movable couch (30) into the docked position responsive to a signal produced by the docking sensor (160).

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system with a C-arm (12) for supporting an x-ray source (28) and a flat panel image receptor (30). The C-arm further including a coupler (36) that permits the C-arm (12) to be removably attached to different ceiling-mounted support structures (16), and to a mobile cart (92) for mobile C-arm imaging applications. A transport cart (62) is provided to transport the C-arm (12) from a first operating room to a second operating room. A mobile equipment cart (56) can accompany the transport cart (62). Alternately, a central control facility (72) can provide command and control signals for the C-arm.

Abstract: A frame (A) of a diagnostic imaging device such as a CT scanner or an MRI device has a bore defining a patient examination region (12). A first x-ray source (B) is mounted to a frame (C) for rotation around the examination region (12). An arc of first radiation detectors (14) detects x-rays which have traversed the examination region. A first image reconstruction processor (18) reconstructs a tomographic image representation from signals generated by the first radiation detectors. A fluoroscopy device (D) is mechanically coupled to the diagnostic scanner for generating and displaying at least substantially real-time fluoroscopic projection image representations on a display monitor (60). A second x-ray source (32) transmits x-rays to an amorphous silicon flat panel radiation detector (36). A second image reconstruction processor (58) reconstructs the fluoroscopic projection image representations from signals generated by the flat panel radiation detector (36).

Abstract: A frame (A) of a diagnostic imaging device such as a CT scanner or an MRI device has a bore defining a patient examination region (12). A first x-ray source (B) is mounted to a frame (C) for rotation around the examination region (12). An arc of first radiation detectors (14) detects x-rays which have traversed the examination region. A first image reconstruction processor (18) reconstructs a tomographic image representation from signals generated by the first radiation detectors. A fluoroscopy device (D) is mechanically coupled to the diagnostic scanner for generating and displaying at least substantially real-time fluoroscopic projection image representations on a display monitor (60). A second x-ray source (32) transmits x-rays to an amorphous silicon flat panel radiation detector (36). A second image reconstruction processor (58) reconstructs the fluoroscopic projection image representations from signals generated by the flat panel radiation detector (36).

Abstract: A frame (A) of a diagnostic imaging device such as a CT scanner or an MRI device has a bore defining a patient examination region (12). A first x-ray source (B) is mounted to a frame (C) for rotation around the examination region (12). An arc of first radiation detectors (14) detects x-rays which have traversed the examination region. A first image reconstruction processor (18) reconstructs a tomographic image representation from signals generated by the first radiation detectors. A fluoroscopy device (D) is mechanically coupled to the diagnostic scanner for generating and displaying at least substantially real-time fluoroscopic projection image representations on a display monitor (60). A second x-ray source (32) transmits x-rays to an amorphous silicon flat panel radiation detector (36). A second image reconstruction processor (58) reconstructs the fluoroscopic projection image representations from signals generated by the flat panel radiation detector (36).

Abstract: An imaging device includes a support member (30), a x-ray source (32) mounted to the support member via a first arm (34), and an x-ray detector (36) mounted to the support member via a second arm (38). The x-ray detector includes a sealed housing (72) mounted to the second arm and a flat panel image receptor (74) retained within the housing. A cooling system (G) exchanges heated air in the housing with ambient air located remote from the housing. The support member (30) includes an open channel (68), a closed channel (70), a common wall (106) separating the open channel from the closed channel, and a series of vents (108) through the common wall. The second arm (38) includes an inlet passage (92) and an exhaust passage (90) each of which communicate with the closed passage (70) and interior cavity (98) of the housing. At least one fan (100) is positioned in at least one of the exhaust passage and the inlet passage.

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: A one piece plastic drain pan (24) is mounted to an examination end (14) of a urology table (10). The pan includes an integrally constructed vertical inner end wall (28), a sloping outer end wall (34), a pair or opposite side walls (30), (32), and a bottom wall (36) through which a drain port (38) is defined. The plastic material, particularly in the side walls has sufficient plastic memory that as a physician leans against the outer end wall (34), the side walls bow outward compressing the end walls toward each other. When the pressing force is removed, the end walls return themselves to the non-flexed position and the end walls move apart. Plates (50, 52) clamp the inner end wall (28) of the plastic drain pan securely therebetween. The plates have flanges (54) which are received in mating slots (56) in the examination end (14) of the urology table. A folding screen arrangement (60) provides a convenient storage surface for examination tools and separates stones, tissue, and the like from drained fluids.