Abstract: A device includes a medical instrument mounting structure; a base; and a gearless longitudinal translation device connected to and enabling longitudinal movement of the medical instrument mounting structure with respect to the base. The gearless longitudinal translation device includes: a first friction wheel having at least a first beveled side surface, and a second friction wheel having at least a second beveled surface; a first linear rod disposed between the first and second friction wheels and in contact with the first and second beveled surfaces; and a control mechanism attached to the first and second friction wheels for rotating the first and second friction wheels. Rotation of the first and second friction wheels causes a longitudinal displacement of the first linear rod with respect to the first and second friction wheels, which in turn causes the medical instrument mounting structure to be longitudinally displaced with respect to the base.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) receive device comprises a coil or coil array including at least one radiofrequency (RF) coil element wherein each RF coil element comprises a coil and a preamplifier connected to amplify an output of the RF coil element to generate an amplified RF signal. The MR receive device further includes an RF-over-Fiber module comprising an optical fiber, a photonic device optically coupled to send an optical signal into the optical fiber, and an RF modulator connected to modulate the optical signal by an MR signal comprising the amplified RF signal.

Abstract: A headrest (10) for an imaging device (24) includes a base (12); a head cradle (14) having a pivot connection (16) or rolling connection (18) with the base; and a sensor (22) configured to measure a pivot angle (?) of the head cradle about a pivot axis (A) of the pivot connection of the head cradle with the base or a roll position (P) of the rolling connection of the head cradle with the base.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) receive device comprises a coil or coil array including at least one radiofrequency (RF) coil element wherein each RF coil element comprises a coil and a preamplifier connected to amplify an output of the RF coil element to generate an amplified RF signal. The MR receive device further includes an RF-over-Fiber module comprising an optical fiber, a photonic device optically coupled to send an optical signal into the optical fiber, and an RF modulator connected to modulate the optical signal by an MR signal comprising the amplified RF signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a takeup spool disposed at a far end of a magnetic resonance imaging bore. The takeup spool is adapted to release optical fiber, and to retract the optical fiber. The apparatus also comprises a dongle configured to connect to a terminal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A balun is provided that is suitable for use with miniature coaxial cables and that obviates the need to cut the cable in order to install the balun. A portion of each coaxial cable that extends from the RF receive coils to the RF receiver is wound multiple times around a device to form an inductor. The inductor may be used with or without a separate resonant circuit. If used with a separate resonant circuit, the inductor and the resonant circuit couple with one another to generate a coupled impedance that provides common-mode noise suppression at the frequency of interest. If used without a separate resonant circuit, the inductor formed in the cable provides an inductance and the capacitance between the windings coupled with the inductance provides a series impedance that suppresses common-mode noise at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: A device includes a medical instrument mounting structure; a base; and a gearless longitudinal translation device connected to and enabling longitudinal movement of the medical instrument mounting structure with respect to the base. The gearless longitudinal translation device includes: a first friction wheel having at least a first beveled side surface, and a second friction wheel having at least a second beveled surface; a first linear rod disposed between the first and second friction wheels and in contact with the first and second beveled surfaces; and a control mechanism attached to the first and second friction wheels for rotating the first and second friction wheels. Rotation of the first and second friction wheels causes a longitudinal displacement of the first linear rod with respect to the first and second friction wheels, which in turn causes the medical instrument mounting structure to be longitudinally displaced with respect to the base.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) coil apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) systems (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 900, 1000) includes a base (102, 502, 702, 902, 1002) having opposed sides (121), a surface (124) to support an object of interest (OOI) for scanning, and fasteners (127) situated at the opposed sides, A positioner (104, 304A, 304B, 504, 604, 704, 1004) is configured to be releasably attached to the base and has a body (130) extending between opposed ends and fasteners (134,) situated at the opposed ends of the body, The body is configured to form an arch between the opposed ends. An upper section (106, 606, 706, 906, 1006) has at least one RF coil array (142) for acquiring induced MR signals, and is configured to be positioned over the positioner.

Abstract: A modular magnetic resonance imaging protection system includes a support, a first platform and a second platform. The support passes through a bore of a magnetic resonance imaging system and includes a first guidance system. The first platform and second platform are each configured to support a patient. The first platform and second platform can each be guided from a carrier to the support through an acoustic shield. The first platform and second platform respectively include a second guidance system and a third guidance system to cooperatively guide the first platform and second platform along the support, into the bore of the magnetic resonance imaging system, and out of the bore of the magnetic resonance imaging system in cooperation with the first guidance system.

Abstract: A balun is provided that is suitable for use with miniature coaxial cables and that obviates the need to cut the cable in order to install the balun. A portion of each coaxial cable that extends from the RF receive coils to the RF receiver is wound multiple times around a device to form an inductor. The inductor may be used with or without a separate resonant circuit. If used with a separate resonant circuit, the inductor and the resonant circuit couple with one another to generate a coupled impedance that provides common-mode noise suppression at the frequency of interest. If used without a separate resonant circuit, the inductor formed in the cable provides an inductance and the capacitance between the windings coupled with the inductance provides a series impedance that suppresses common-mode noise at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a takeup spool disposed at a far end of a magnetic resonance imaging bore. The takeup spool is adapted to release optical fiber, and to retract the optical fiber. The apparatus also comprises a dongle configured to connect to a terminal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) coil apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) systems (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 900, 1000), the RF coil including a base (102, 502, 702, 902, 1002) having opposed sides (121), a surface (124) to support an object of interest (OOI) for scanning, and fasteners (127) situated at the opposed sides; a positioner (104, 304A, 304B, 504, 604, 704, 1004) configured to be releasably attached to the base and having a body (130) extending between opposed ends and fasteners (134,) situated at the opposed ends of the body, the body configured to form an arch between the opposed ends; and an upper section (106, 606, 706, 906, 1006) having at least one RF coil array (142) for acquiring induced MR signals, the upper section configured to be positioned over the positioner.

Abstract: A local radio frequency (RF) coil assembly (A) defining a pediatric patient receiving region (12) to be mounted to a patient support table (B) of an MRI scanner (E). The local RF coil assembly (A) includes a rigid coil body (16,18) operatively connected to an adjustable coil part (20) along a hinge axis (26). A carrier (F) is configured to receive a pediatric patient (C) and be positioned into engagement with the local RF coil assembly (A). An interlock assembly (51) holds the adjustable coil part (20) in a selected position (50) when the carrier (F) interacts with the adjustable coil part (20). At least one bearing (34, 36) is configured to pivot and bias the adjustable coil part (20) relative to the carrier (F) and gravity bias the interlock assembly and the carrier (F) into an interlocking engagement. The adjustable coil part (20) is gravity biased to the open position (28) when the carrier (F) is removed.

Abstract: A pediatric patient handling assembly includes a carrier on which a pediatric patient is positioned and prepared for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The carrier carrying the pediatric patient is set on a support table of an MRI scanner. The support table includes a local RF coil assembly mounted on the support table. The carrier is slid along the support table and into engagement with the local RF coil assembly. Interacting guide surfaces on the carrier and the local RF coil assembly align and engage the carrier along a longitudinal axis of the support table. The local RF coil assembly includes a pivotally mounted anterior coil which is lowered towards a base of the support table into an imaging or operating position. The support table, with the engaged local RF coil assembly, carrier and pediatric patient, is translated into a magnetic imaging region of the MRI scanner.

Abstract: A local radio frequency (RF) coil assembly (A) defining a pediatric patient receiving region (12) to be mounted to a patient support table (B) of an MRI scanner (E). The local RF coil assembly (A) includes a rigid coil body (16,18) operatively connected to an adjustable coil part (20) along a hinge axis (26). A carrier (F) is configured to receive a pediatric patient (C) and be positioned into engagement with the local RF coil assembly (A). An interlock assembly (51) holds the adjustable coil part (20) in a selected position (50) when the carrier (F) interacts with the adjustable coil part (20). At least one bearing (34, 36) is configured to pivot and bias the adjustable coil part (20) relative to the carrier (F) and gravity bias the interlock assembly and the carrier (F) into an interlocking engagement. The adjustable coil part (20) is gravity biased to the open position (28) when the carrier (F) is removed.

Abstract: A pediatric patient (110), e.g. 0-18 months, is positioned in a patient carrier (100) and prepared for magnetic resonance imaging. The carrier (100) and patient (110) are set on a patient support table (170) of the MRI scanner on which table a local RF coil assembly (180) has been mounted. The carrier (100) is slid along the table (170) into engagement with the RF coil assembly (180). Interacting guide surfaces on the carrier (100) and RF coil assembly (180) align the carrier (100) with a longitudinal axis of the table (170). The RF coil assembly (180) includes a pivotally mounted anterior coil (290) which is lowered into an imaging or operating position (400). The table with the engaged RF coil assembly (180), carrier (100) and pediatric patient (110) is translated into a magnetic imaging region (330) of the MRI scanner.