Abstract: A mobile computer suitable for use in an MRI environment is disclosed. The mobile computer includes at least one shielded cavity in which the electronics for the mobile computer are inserted. The shielded cavity inhibits undesirable emissions from the mobile computer from affecting the quality of the image obtained by the MRI scanner and inhibits electrical interference generated by the dynamic magnetic fields in the MRI scanner from affecting the performance of the mobile computer. In addition, the components used in the mobile computer are selected from non-ferrous materials and are arranged in a manner to minimize interaction between the mobile computer and the MRI scanner.

Abstract: A mobile computer suitable for use in an MRI environment is disclosed. The mobile computer includes at least one shielded cavity in which the electronics for the mobile computer are inserted. The shielded cavity inhibits undesirable emissions from the mobile computer from affecting the quality of the image obtained by the MRI scanner and inhibits electrical interference generated by the dynamic magnetic fields in the MRI scanner from affecting the performance of the mobile computer. In addition, the components used in the mobile computer are selected from non-ferrous materials and are arranged in a manner to minimize interaction between the mobile computer and the MRI scanner.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a sterile drape which includes an inner material ply and an outer material ply. The inner material ply has a first surface and an opposite facing sterile second surface. The outer material ply has a first sterile surface and an opposite facing second surface, with the first sterile surface of the outer material ply removably coupled to the second sterile surface of the inner material ply. The sterile drape may include a framework coupled to the first material ply and configured to be manipulated to a desired shape. The drape includes multiple material plies in sequential layers, wherein the outermost material plies have a first inner-facing surface and a second opposite outer-facing sterile second surface. The multiple plies can be removed one at a time to expose a new sterile layer if the outer sterile layer is contaminated.

Abstract: A patient support and transport system for a multi-modality medical suite includes a track system with one track in one room aligned with another track in another room. A support carriage coupled to the track system and configured to move between the two rooms. A duplex socket interface module attached to the support carriage and flexible raceway including a first conduit management system coupled to the support carriage and configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. A second conduit management system is coupled to electrical and data ports and include a conduit interface module configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. The patient support and transport system also includes a vertical support member coupled to the support carriage and a support assembly coupled to the vertical support member configured to selectively articulate a patient bed.

Abstract: In a MRI system housed within a room there is provided a movable magnet and additional components for other procedures on the patient, a control system is provided for the relative movement of the magnet and components. This includes a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted on the components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component and an optional camera positioning system so that the control system can estimate relative positions of the components relative to the magnet from the sensed field strengths from the set of sensors to avoid collisions during the movements.

Abstract: A patient support and transport system for a multi-modality medical suite includes a track system with one track in one room aligned with another track in another room. A support carriage coupled to the track system and configured to move between the two rooms. A duplex socket interface module attached to the support carriage and flexible raceway including a first conduit management system coupled to the support carriage and configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. A second conduit management system is coupled to electrical and data ports and include a conduit interface module configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. The patient support and transport system also includes a vertical support member coupled to the support carriage and a support assembly coupled to the vertical support member configured to selectively articulate a patient bed.

Abstract: A patient support and transport system for a multi-modality medical suite includes a track system with one track in one room aligned with another track in another room. A support carriage coupled to the track system and configured to move between the two rooms. A duplex socket interface module attached to the support carriage and flexible raceway including a first conduit management system coupled to the support carriage and configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. A second conduit management system is coupled to electrical and data ports and include a conduit interface module configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. The patient support and transport system also includes a vertical support member coupled to the support carriage and a support assembly coupled to the vertical support member configured to selectively articulate a patient bed.

Abstract: A movable door element in a door of a multimodality medical suite. The door is in a wall positioned between a first room and a second room of the suite, with the suite including a flexible raceway configured to extend within the length of the suite and selectively extend through a portion of the door, the door element including a housing and a shield component. The housing is coupled to the door and configured to selectively move from a first position to a second position. The housing is further configured to move to the second position when a shield door component, coupled to the raceway, displaces the housing and is disposed in a space in the portion of the door vacated by the door element. The shield component disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A patient support and transport system for a multi-modality medical suite includes a track system with one track in one room aligned with another track in another room. A support carriage coupled to the track system and configured to move between the two rooms. A duplex socket interface module attached to the support carriage and flexible raceway including a first conduit management system coupled to the support carriage and configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. A second conduit management system is coupled to electrical and data ports and include a conduit interface module configured to automatically couple with and decouple with the duplex socket interface module. The patient support and transport system also includes a vertical support member coupled to the support carriage and a support assembly coupled to the vertical support member configured to selectively articulate a patient bed.

Abstract: A movable door element in a door of a multimodality medical suite. The door is in a wall positioned between a first room and a second room of the suite, with the suite including a flexible raceway configured to extend within the length of the suite and selectively extend through a portion of the door, the door element including a housing and a shield component. The housing is coupled to the door and configured to selectively move from a first position to a second position. The housing is further configured to move to the second position when a shield door component, coupled to the raceway, displaces the housing and is disposed in a space in the portion of the door vacated by the door element. The shield component disposed in the housing.

Abstract: In a MRI system housed within a room there is provided a movable magnet and additional components for other procedures on the patient, a control system is provided for the relative movement of the magnet and components. This includes a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted on the components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component and an optional camera positioning system so that the control system can estimate relative positions of the components relative to the magnet from the sensed field strengths from the set of sensors to avoid collisions during the movements.

Abstract: A tear-away sheath is provided for use in an invasive procedure for insertion of a conductive device into a patient while the insertion is guided using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and has a peripheral wall surrounding a hollow interior through which a conductive device can be inserted. At least one and preferably two lines of weakness are formed along the length of the peripheral wall at which the sheath can be torn longitudinally so allow the peripheral wall to be opened to release engagement with a conductive device inserted therethrough. A temperature sensing device is embedded in the peripheral wall at or adjacent the distal end with an optical fiber extending longitudinally of the peripheral wall from the distal end to a position exposed form the patient for communicating the sensed temperature to a display device.

Abstract: In MR imaging of a body part of a patient in an intra-operative procedure, the body part is supported using gel pads where the gel material is arranged such that the presence of the gel material does not generate an image in the analysis of the RF signal from the location so that the pad is invisible in the MR image. This can be obtained by using a water based gel material and providing an additive such as manganese chloride to reduce the relaxation time of the water molecules to a value which is sufficiently short that the molecules relax before the acquisition of the signals by the RF receive coil. This can be achieved by using a non-water based gel or a heavy water based gel.

Abstract: A sterile drape for use with a magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging is formed from a generally cylindrical sheet of a fabric. This is collapsible into an annulus and can be expanded axially to line the interior of the bore of the magnet. End flaps can close the ends of the bore and folded outwardly to cover the end faces of the magnet. The sheet can be supported by a wire or other support and can be stored on the magnet and end covers or in a ceiling suspended container.

Abstract: An MRI system performs a calibration prescan in which NMR projections are produced using either a spiral acquisition pulse sequence (FIG. 3) or a series of pulse sequences at a corresponding series of projection angles. The signal energies of the projections are summed to produce NMR calibration data. The signal energy in a prescribed region of interest may be calculated to provide the optimal RF transmit power when using local coils.

Abstract: An MRI system performs a calibration prescan in which NMR projection signals are produced using a calibration pulse sequence. The readout gradient employed during the acquisition of each NMR projection signal is rotated during the signal sampling such that the projection angle changes during the acquisition. The center of the field of view is weighted more heavily in the calculation of the optimal RF transmit power to provide a more accurate setting when using local coils.

Abstract: MRI images are acquired as the patient moves a joint through a range of motion. The angle of joined limbs is measured during the scan, and the measured angles are attached to corresponding images for display therewith. In one embodiment the angles are measured using interleaved navigator acquisitions from which limb orientation can be determined.

Abstract: In an MRI system a scan is performed to acquire data from which multiple intersecting slice images are reconstructed. During each pulse sequence, the slices are separately and selectively excited to produce transverse magnetization, and this magnetization is collectively refocused by a single non-selective refocusing pulse which produces an echo signal for each slice image. The flip angles of the excitation pulses are chosen to eliminate saturation lines at the slice intersections.

Abstract: A method is described for increasing the temporal resolution of MR fluoroscopy procedures. A central portion of the image requiring a higher temporal resolution is updated more frequently using less-than-complete newly acquired NMR data. A running average of the signals produced by peripheral structures is used to form the periphery of the image and to remove artifact-producing data from the less-than-complete NMR data.