Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering images to a patient before and/or during a medical procedure in which a patient is translated on a table relative to a gantry. In various example embodiments, images are projected to the patient while preserving the projected field size during table motion, thereby potentially reducing patient anxiety by providing a more immersive patient viewing experience. In some embodiments, the projected field size is maintained by a display system that is secured to the table such that both a projector and a projection screen are fixed relative to the table, and relative to the patient, during translation of the table. In some example embodiments, a reduction in patient anxiety may be achieved by projecting images as virtual images that are perceived by the patient as residing at a depth that lies beyond the confined spatial region in which the patient resides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides communication systems and devices for use in noise environments, such as during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In some embodiments, a communication headrest is provided that consists of a headrest that supports a patients' head, an optional bone conduction microphone, and one or more vibration actuators. The headset makes contact with noise-isolating earplugs worn by the subject such that vibrations generated by the vibration actuators are transferred through the earplug, via acoustic conduction, to enable the patient to hear audio content while the earplugs provide passive noise protection by occluding the ear canal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering images to a patient before and/or during a medical procedure in which a patient is translated on a table relative to a gantry. In various example embodiments, images are projected to the patient while preserving the projected field size during table motion, thereby potentially reducing patient anxiety by providing a more immersive patient viewing experience. In some example embodiments, the projected field size is maintained by a display system that is secured to the table such that both a projector and a projection screen are fixed relative to the table, and relative to the patient, during translation of the table. In some example embodiments, a reduction in patient anxiety may be achieved by projecting images as virtual images that are perceived by the patient as residing at a depth that lies beyond the confined spatial region in which the patient resides.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing and reducing the severity or impact of a collision involving an apparatus secured to a table associated with a medical imaging and/or therapeutic gantry. Example systems are provided in which an apparatus is secured to the table such that a distal region of the apparatus extends beyond a longitudinal end of the table. A pivot joint associated with the apparatus is provided such that when a collision between the distal region of the apparatus and an object occurs due to motion of the table, the resulting force causes the apparatus to rotate relative to the pivot joint, thus passively accommodating the applied force and preventing, or reducing the likelihood of, mechanical buckling of the apparatus in the presence of the force. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is configured to rotate and/or translate as a result of the force applied during the collision.

Abstract: Systems and devices are provided in which an RF wireless bridge is employed to facilitate indirect transmission of communication signals between external devices located outside of an electromagnetically shielding enclosure within internal devices located within the enclosure, via the intermediate transmission of RF waves through an RF attenuating window forming a portion of the enclosure. The wireless bridge is formed from a first RF communication device located within the electromagnetically shielding enclosure, and a second RF communication device located outside of the enclosure, where the two RF communication devices are positioned with sufficient proximity such that the wireless bridge facilitates indirect communication through the RF attenuating window despite attenuation of RF energy by the RF attenuating window.

Abstract: Systems and devices are provided in which an RF wireless bridge is employed to facilitate indirect transmission of communication signals between external devices located outside of an electromagnetically shielding enclosure within internal devices located within the enclosure, via the intermediate transmission of RF waves through an RF attenuating window forming a portion of the enclosure. The wireless bridge is formed from a first RF communication device located within the electromagnetically shielding enclosure, and a second RF communication device located outside of the enclosure, where the two RF communication devices are positioned with sufficient proximity such that the wireless bridge facilitates indirect communication through the RF attenuating window despite attenuation of RF energy by the RF attenuating window.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides communication systems and devices for use in noise environments, such as during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In some embodiments, a communication headrest is provided that consists of a headrest that supports a patients' head, an optional bone conduction microphone, and one or more vibration actuators. The headset makes contact with noise-isolating earplugs worn by the subject such that vibrations generated by the vibration actuators are transferred through the earplug, via acoustic conduction, to enable the patient to hear audio content while the earplugs provide passive noise protection by occluding the ear canal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering images to a patient before and/or during a medical procedure in which a patient is translated on a table relative to a gantry. In various example embodiments, images are projected to the patient while preserving the projected field size during table motion, thereby potentially reducing patient anxiety by providing a more immersive patient viewing experience. In some example embodiments, the projected field size is maintained by a display system that is secured to the table such that both a projector and a projection screen are fixed relative to the table, and relative to the patient, during translation of the table. In some example embodiments, a reduction in patient anxiety may be achieved by projecting images as virtual images that are perceived by the patient as residing at a depth that lies beyond the confined spatial region in which the patient resides.

Abstract: Systems and devices are provided in which an RF wireless bridge is employed to facilitate indirect transmission of communication signals between external devices located outside of an electromagnetically shielding enclosure within internal devices located within the enclosure, via the intermediate transmission of RF waves through an RF attenuating window forming a portion of the enclosure. The wireless bridge is formed from a first RF communication device located within the electromagnetically shielding enclosure, and a second RF communication device located outside of the enclosure, where the two RF communication devices are positioned with sufficient proximity such that the wireless bridge facilitates indirect communication through the RF attenuating window despite attenuation of RF energy by the RF attenuating window.

Abstract: The present invention provides microbubbles for sensitivity enhanced manometry, and more particularly the present invention relates to a magnetic resonance manometry method for measuring intravascular or intracardiac pressure using microbubbles of high magnetic susceptibility. The invention provides a microbubble for sensitivity enhanced magnetic resonance manometry, comprising a lipid shell having a high magnetic susceptibility. In one aspect the microbubble for sensitivity enhanced magnetic resonance manometry, comprising a lipid shell including magnetic nanoparticles having high dipole moments embedded therein.

Abstract: A modular intervention bed for use with a medical tomographic imaging system having an associated patient transport device and an imaging device. The modular intervention bed comprises a trestle configured to engage a patient transport device, with the trestle having an intervention area. A patient couch movably mounted on the trestle, with the patient couch defining an opening corresponding to the intervention area. The couch comprises a plurality of patient mats with each mat connected to at least one other mat, a pair of rollers mounted on each mat in a spaced apart relationship with each roller proximate an outside edge of each mat. The modular intervention bed can be reconfigured by adding or removing a mat thereby moving the intervention area and opening to correspond with the portion of a patient under investigation during an intervention procedure guided by a medical tomographic imaging system.