MRI scanner and method for modular patient handling

Abstract

An MRI scanner that includes a magnet with poles having substantially vertical pole surfaces and a removable positioner for supporting a patient within a gap in the pole surfaces. A method of positioning a patient within a gap formed by vertical pole surfaces in an MRI scanner. The method includes selecting a first patient positioner and inserting the first patient positioner into the gap between vertical pole surfaces in the MRI scanner.

1 . An MRI scanner comprising: 
 a magnet including poles having substantially vertical pole surfaces such that there is a gap between the pole surfaces; and    a removable patient bed for supporting a patient within the gap, the removable patient bed including a frame and a platform for supporting a patient, the platform includes a first end that is rotatably attached the frame.    
     
     
         2 . The MRI scanner of  claim 1  wherein the removable patient bed includes a mechanism for raising and lowering a second end of the platform relative to the first end of the platform.  
     
     
         3 . An MRI scanner comprising: 
 a magnet including poles having substantially vertical pole surfaces such that there is a gap between the pole surfaces; and    a removable positioner for supporting a patient within the gap, the removable positioner including a base and a backrest portion rotatably attached to the base, the backrest portion including an opening for receiving a body part of a patient on the removable positioner.    
     
     
         4 . The MRI scanner of  claim 3  wherein the removable positioner further includes a lower section that is rotatably attached to the base.  
     
     
         5 . The MRI scanner of  claim 4  wherein the removable positioner includes sensors that monitor the position of the backrest portion and the lower section.  
     
     
         6 . The MRI scanner of  claim 3  wherein the backrest portion includes a pair of openings, each of the openings being adapted to receive a breast on a patient.  
     
     
         7 . An MRI scanner comprising: 
 a magnet including poles having substantially vertical pole surfaces such that there is a gap between the pole surfaces;    a removable positioner for supporting a patient within the gap, the removable positioner including wheels; and    a floor beneath the gap, the floor including grooves that guide the wheels as the removable positioner is inserted into the gap.    
     
     
         8 . The MRI scanner of  claim 7  wherein the removable positioner includes a handle to facilitate guiding the removable positioner into and out of the gap.  
     
     
         9 . The MRI scanner of  claim 7  wherein the floor includes an elevator positioned below the gap to raise and lower the removable positioner relative to the poles of the magnet, the elevator including the grooves that guide the wheels as the removable positioner is inserted into the gap.  
     
     
         10 . The MRI scanner of  claim 7  wherein the removable positioner is a patient bed.  
     
     
         11 . An MRI scanner comprising: 
 a magnet including poles having substantially vertical pole surfaces such that there is a gap between the pole surfaces;    a removable positioner for supporting a patient within the gap;    a floor beneath the gap; and    an elevator positioned within the floor to raise and lower the removable positioner relative to the poles of the magnet.    
     
     
         12 . The MRI scanner of  claim 11  wherein the elevator includes a support platform and a scissor mechanism that raises and lowers the support platform.  
     
     
         13 . The MRI scanner of  claim 11  wherein the elevator includes a sensor and a control that is coupled to the sensor to position the height of the elevator.  
     
     
         14 . The MRI scanner of  claim 11  wherein the poles of the magnet have a common pole axis that is between 3 and 6 feet from the floor.  
     
     
         15 . An MRI scanner comprising: 
 a magnet including poles having substantially vertical pole surfaces such that there is a gap between the pole surfaces; and    a removable positioner for supporting a patient within the gap, the removable positioner including at least one gate that rotates relative to the surfaces of the poles.    
     
     
         16 . The MRI scanner of  claim 15  wherein the removable positioner includes an elevator such that the at least one gate is rotatably mounted on the elevator.  
     
     
         17 . A method of positioning a patient within a gap formed by vertical pole surfaces in an MRI scanner, the method comprising: 
 selecting a patient bed;    inserting the patient bed into the gap between the vertical pole surfaces; and    adjusting the position of a patient using the patient bed by raising and lowering one end of a platform relative to an opposing end of the platform.    
     
     
         18 . A method of positioning a patient within a gap formed by vertical pole surfaces in an MRI scanner, the method comprising: 
 selecting a patient positioner;    inserting the patient positioner into the gap between the vertical pole surfaces;    rotating a portion of the patient positioner relative to a base of the patient positioner; and    inserting a body part of the patient through an opening in the portion of the patient positioner.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising adjusting the position of the patient by rotating another section of the patient positioner relative to the base.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising sensing the position of the section and the portion.  
     
     
         21 . A method of positioning a patient within a gap formed by vertical pole surfaces in an MRI scanner, the method comprising: 
 selecting a patient positioner;    inserting the patient positioner into the gap between the vertical pole surfaces by maneuvering wheels on the patient positioner within grooves in a floor such that the grooves guide the patient positioner into the gap.    
     
     
         22 . A method of positioning a patient within a gap formed by vertical pole surfaces in an MRI scanner, the method comprising: 
 selecting a patient positioner;    inserting the patient positioner into the gap between the vertical pole surfaces by placing the patient positioner onto an elevator and elevating the patient positioner using the elevator.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein placing the patient positioner onto an elevator includes placing the patient positioner onto a support platform and elevating the patient positioner includes raising the support platform with a scissors mechanism.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 sensing a height of the elevator; and    controlling the height of the elevator based on the sensed height of the elevator.