Patient support device, such as a patient bed, table or chair for use with magnetic resonance imaging apparatuses

Abstract

A patient support device for use with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling a coil adapted to receive signals from anatomic regions upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, the at least one receptacle being arranged in an area of the patient support surface corresponding to a position of an anatomic region to be imaged. The receptacle is adapted for removable fastening of removably connectable bases of the receiver coil, and the base of each coil and its respective housing or coupling receptacle include complementary mechanisms for electrical connection to at least one dedicated electrical line such that the electrical connection is automatically effected when the base of each coil is fitted and/or mechanically fastened in a respective housing or coupling receptacle.

1 . A patient support device for use with Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatuses, the device comprising:
 a patient support surface having such a size as to accommodate at least a part of the patient body;   at least one receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling a coil adapted to receive signals from anatomic regions upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, said at least one receptacle being arranged in an area of the patient support surface corresponding to a position of an anatomic region to be imaged, wherein the receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling the coil is formed by a niche or an enclosure with an open upper side extending flush with the patient support surface and wherein the coil is completely embedded inside the receptacle without protruding above the patient support surface;   wherein the receptacle is adapted for removable fastening of removably connectable bases of the receiver coil;   wherein the base of each coil and its respective housing or coupling receptacle include complementary means for electrical connection of the coil to at least one dedicated electrical line which transmits a signal of the receiver coil outside the device   wherein said means for electrical connection of the coil are constructed in such a manner that electrical connection is automatically effected when the base of each coil is fitted and/or mechanically fastened in a respective housing or coupling receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle for housing/coupling the receiver coil is accessible from the patient support surface side. 
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing/coupling receptacle is adapted for removable fastening of removably connectable bases of the receiver coil. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle provides hidden housings for said coils that are accessible from outside the device and beneath the patient support surface, whereby the coils are hiddenly received beneath the patient support surface. 
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base of the coil and its respective housing or coupling receptacle include complementary mechanical means for removable connection of the base and the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical line for transmitting the signal of the receiver coil connects the receiver coil to an input of at least one controller of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, which is designed to process the electric signal from the receiver coil. 
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base of each coil has an electrical output connector that corresponds with an electrical input connector of the housing and coupling receptacle, and wherein the electrical output connectors and input connectors of the housing and coupling receptacle are complementary and configured for mutual engagement and disengagement, each housing and/or coupling receptacle of each coil having said input connector connected to the transmission line. 
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the output connectors of the coil and the input connectors of the housing or coupling receptacle are mutually engageable and disengageable, and have a press-fit type configuration, in the same coupling direction, wherein the bases of the coils are fitted in their respective housing and coupling receptacles on the device. 
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for removable connection of coils and the corresponding housing or coupling receptacles in the device include cooperating means for automatic positioning of the coil relative to the patient support surface, with reference to a direction perpendicular to said support surface, at least in coincidence with the housing or coupling receptacle of said coil. 
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base of the coil has a press-fit terminal and the receptacle for housing or coupling the coil in the device is formed by at least one complementary press-fit recess for said press-fit terminal, or vice versa, said means for automatically positioning the coil relative to the patient support surface being mutual end stop abutment means for stopping the press-fit stroke of the base and the coil in their respective receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the means for stopping the press-fit stroke of the base of the coil in the complementary housing or coupling receptacle of the device are formed by an annular widened portion of the base of the coil, said widened portion abuts against a corresponding annular periphery of the housing or coupling receptacle when the coil is fitted in the housing or coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical means for removable connection of bases and coils in their respective housing or coupling receptacles are configured to allow at least a partial rotation of the coil at least about an axis essentially perpendicular to the device surface, and further comprising means for locking the coil in a desired angular position. 
     
     
         13 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle for housing the receiving coil is formed by a chamber within the thickness of the patient supporting device. 
     
     
         14 . A patient support device for use with Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatuses, the device comprising:
 a patient support surface having such a size as to accommodate at least a part of the patient body;   at least one receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling a coil adapted to receive signals from anatomic regions upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, said at least one receptacle being arranged in an area of the patient support surface corresponding to a position of an anatomic region to be imaged, wherein the receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling the coil is formed by a niche or an enclosure with an open upper side extending flush with the patient support surface;   a mattress provided on a top face of the support surface, the mattress having one or more holes therein;   a base of each coil has an axial extension for introduction into the respective receptacle through one of the holes in the mattress;   and one or more closing members for closing any of the holes in the mattress through a coil axial extension is not extending.   wherein the receptacle for housing/coupling the receiver coil includes means for removable mechanical connection of the receiver coil.   wherein the base of each coil and its respective housing or coupling receptacle include complementary means for electrical connection of the coil to at least one dedicated electrical line which transmits a signal of the receiver coil outside the device   wherein the electrical lines for transmitting the signal of the coils are integrated and extend at least partly within the structure of the device.   
     
     
         15 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle for housing/coupling the receiver coil is accessible from the patient support surface side. 
     
     
         16 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the housing/coupling receptacle is adapted for removable fastening of removably connectable bases of the receiver coil. 
     
     
         17 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein each receptacle provides hidden housings for said coils that are accessible from outside the device and beneath the patient support surface, whereby the coils are hiddenly received beneath the patient support surface. 
     
     
         18 . A device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the base of the coil and its respective housing or coupling receptacle include complementary mechanical means for removable connection of the base and the receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the electrical line for transmitting the signal of the receiver coil connects the receiver coil to an input of at least one controller of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, which is designed to process the electric signal from the receiver coil. 
     
     
         20 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said means for electrical connection of the coil are constructed in such a manner that electrical connection is automatically effected when the base of each coil is fitted and/or mechanically fastened in a respective housing or coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         21 . A device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the base of each coil has an electrical output connector that corresponds with an electrical input connector of the housing and coupling receptacle, and wherein the electrical output connectors and input connectors of the housing and coupling receptacle are complementary and configured for mutual engagement and disengagement, each housing and/or coupling receptacle of each coil having said input connector connected to the transmission line. 
     
     
         22 . A device as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the output connectors of the coil and the input connectors of the housing or coupling receptacle are mutually engageable and disengageable, and have a press-fit type configuration, in the same coupling direction, wherein the bases of the coils are fitted in their respective housing and coupling receptacles on the device. 
     
     
         23 . A device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the means for removable connection of coils and the corresponding housing or coupling receptacles in the device include cooperating means for automatic positioning of the coil relative to the patient support surface, with reference to a direction perpendicular to said support surface, at least in coincidence with the housing or coupling receptacle of said coil. 
     
     
         24 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the base of the coil has a press-fit terminal and the receptacle for housing or coupling the coil in the device is formed by at least one complementary press-fit recess for said press-fit terminal, or vice versa, said means for automatically positioning the coil relative to the patient support surface being mutual end stop abutment means for stopping the press-fit stroke of the base and the coil in their respective receptacle. 
     
     
         25 . A device as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the means for stopping the press-fit stroke of the base of the coil in the complementary housing or coupling receptacle of the device are formed by an annular widened portion of the base of the coil, said widened portion abuts against a corresponding annular periphery of the housing or coupling receptacle when the coil is fitted in the housing or coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . A device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical means for removable connection of bases and coils in their respective housing or coupling receptacles are configured to allow at least a partial rotation of the coil at least about an axis essentially perpendicular to the device surface, and further comprising means for locking the coil in a desired angular position. 
     
     
         27 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the patient support surface has a predetermined thickness and a frame for said surface, the line or lines for transmitting the signal of the coils being housed within the thickness of said patient support surface and/or in the frame of said support surface. 
     
     
         28 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said transmission line or lines for transmitting the signal of the coils are at least partly or wholly formed by shielded cables. 
     
     
         29 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said transmission lines are constructed at least partly or wholly in the form of printed circuits boards or sheets carrying corresponding conducting tracks and fastened to the patient support surface and/or to a frame of said support surface. 
     
     
         30 . A device as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the patient support surface and/or the frame of said surface at least partly act as means for electromagnetically shielding the transmission lines. 
     
     
         31 . A device as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the transmission lines are received in electromagnetically shielding housings and/or grooves, associated to said patient support surface and/or to the frame of said patient support surface and/or are at least formed by said patient support surface and/or by said frame of the patient support surface. 
     
     
         32 . A device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the transmission line or lines terminate in an output connector which is secured to the device, and a complementary connector is further provided for connecting the transmission lines to external lines connected to the input of the processing controller of the Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus, which is configured to be connected to and disconnected from said output connector. 
     
     
         33 . A device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the connecting end of the output connector is outside the device. 
     
     
         34 . A device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the connecting end of the output connector is inside the device. 
     
     
         35 . A device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the transmission lines are electrically and mechanically connected to the output connector by means of a connection terminal, which is capable of being coupled to and/or uncoupled from a complementary input end of the output connector. 
     
     
         36 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein the receptacle for housing the receiving coil is formed by a chamber within the thickness of the patient supporting device. 
     
     
         37 . A device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the receiving coil is adapted for imaging of the spine of the patient. 
     
     
         38 . A device as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising a plurality of receiver coils, each coil having a size adapted for imaging particular anatomic regions with different morphologies, the patient support device having a plurality of receptacles distributed over the patient support surface, each receptacle for housing at least one of the coils and having engagement means complementary to the housing/coupling receptacle of the patient support surface, wherein each receptacle is coincident with a relevant anatomic region of the body to be imaged and the corresponding coil being adapted for the anatomic region to be imaged. 
     
     
         39 . A device as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the electrical signal transmission line is a common line for transmitting the signal of the coils and includes transmission line branches connected thereto for communicating with each receptacle for housing or coupling the coils, said transmission line branches and said common transmission line being at least partly housed within the structure of the device. 
     
     
         40 . A device as claimed in  claim 38 , comprising a dedicated transmission line for each coil, which separately connects each coil to a controller which is designed to process the signal from the coil and is situated in the Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus, at least some or all of said dedicated transmission lines being partly or wholly integrated or housed in the structure of the device. 
     
     
         41 . A patient support device for use with Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatuses, the device comprising:
 a patient support surface having such a size as to accommodate at least a part of the patient body;   a plurality of receptacles distributed over the patient support surface for housing and/or removably coupling a plurality of receiver coils, each coil having a size adapted for imaging particular anatomic regions with different morphologies and to receive signals from particular anatomic regions upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, each said receptacle being arranged in an area of the patient support surface corresponding to a position of an anatomic region to be imaged, wherein each receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling at least one of the coils is formed by a niche or an enclosure with an open upper side extending flush with the patient support surface and wherein the coil is completely embedded inside the receptacle without protruding above the patient support surface;   wherein each receptacle for housing at least one of the coils includes engagement means complementary to the housing/coupling receptacle of the patient support surface,   wherein each receptacle is coincident with a relevant anatomic region of the body to be imaged and the corresponding coil being adapted for the anatomic region to be imaged.   
     
     
         42 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the electrical signal transmission line is a common line for transmitting the signal of the coils and includes transmission line branches connected thereto for communicating with each receptacle for housing or coupling the coils, said transmission line branches and said common transmission line being at least partly housed within the structure of the device. 
     
     
         43 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , comprising a dedicated transmission line for each coil, which separately connects each coil to a controller which is designed to process the signal from the coil and is situated in the Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus, at least some or all of said dedicated transmission lines being partly or wholly integrated or housed in the structure of the device. 
     
     
         44 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the input connectors of the receptacles for housing or coupling the coils are connected to a dedicated transmission line or to a dedicated branch of a common transmission line in a direct manner or through complementary electrical and mechanical connection terminals. 
     
     
         45 . A device as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein each dedicated branch of the common transmission line has a connection terminal configured to be connected to and disconnected from a corresponding connection terminal of a plurality of connection terminals which form a plurality of inputs arranged along the common transmission line. 
     
     
         46 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein all or at least some of the bases of the coils and their respective housing or coupling receptacles are identical. 
     
     
         47 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein all or at least some of the bases of the coils and their respective housing or coupling receptacles are different. 
     
     
         48 . A device as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein all or at least some of the connection terminals associated with a dedicated transmission line or with a dedicated branch of the common transmission line are identical. 
     
     
         49 . A device as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein all or at least some of the connection terminals associated with a dedicated transmission line or with a dedicated branch of the common transmission line are different. 
     
     
         50 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the receptacles, in which the bases of the coils are locked, have the same size, shape, mechanical fastener and electrical connection means, or wherein sets of receptacles are provided in which the receptacles of each set have the same size, shape, mechanical fastener and electrical connection means and the receptacles of one set have a shape and/or a size and/or mechanical fastener means and/or electrical connection means differing from those of the receptacles of the other sets. 
     
     
         51 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the receptacles in which the coils are fastened are placed level with one or both shoulders and/or one or both knees and/or one or both wrists and/or one or both ankles and/or at least a portion of the spine of the patient, with reference to the lying position of the patient, essentially at the center of the patient support surface. 
     
     
         52 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the housing/coupling receptacles include means for detecting the coil coupled to the corresponding housing or coupling receptacle. 
     
     
         53 . A device as claimed in  claim 41 , further comprising: means for displacement in at least one direction parallel and/or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the patient support surface and a magnet structure of a Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus, wherein the surface of the patient support device is capable of being displaced relative to said magnet structure. 
     
     
         54 . A device as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein the displacement means allow motion of at least the patient support surface in two transverse directions, essentially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the patient support surface, one parallel and the other transverse. 
     
     
         55 . A device as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein said means for displacement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the patient support surface are formed by at least one pair of first guides oriented longitudinally to said patient support surface, said first guides engage the device and/or at least the patient support surface by complementary first longitudinal slides, or vice versa. 
     
     
         56 . A device as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein said first guides have second slides at their bottom, which slideably engage with at least one pair of second stationary guides, oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the patient support surface, to allow further displacement of at least the patient support surface transverse to its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         57 . A device as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein the first and the second guides and the first and the second slides are integrated in a frame of the patient support surface. 
     
     
         58 . A device as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein the displacement means are manually operable, the device further comprising automatic stroke limiters in one or both directions of displacement of at least the patient support surface, wherein the limiters are controlled by means for detecting coils in their respective receptacles through a monitoring and controller unit which receives a signal that one or more coils are present and coupled in the corresponding housing or coupling receptacles and, depending on the known position of the coil or coils on the patient support surfaces, operates the displacement stroke limiting means so that the displacement of at least the patient support surface stops at a predetermined position of said coil or coils relative to a stationary reference. 
     
     
         59 . A device as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein said displacement stroke limiting means are end stop abutments whose position is adjustable with reference to the device displacement direction or directions and which are controlled on or off by the controller. 
     
     
         60 . A patient support device for use with Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatuses, the device comprising:
 a patient support surface having such a size as to accommodate at least a part of the patient body;   a plurality of receptacles distributed over the patient support surface for housing and/or removably coupling a plurality of receiver coils, each coil having a size adapted for imaging particular anatomic regions with different morphologies and to receive signals from particular anatomic regions upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, each said receptacle being arranged in an area of the patient support surface corresponding to a position of an anatomic region to be imaged, wherein each receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling at least one of the coils is formed by a niche or an enclosure with an open upper side extending flush with the patient support surface and wherein the coil is completely embedded inside the receptacle without protruding above the patient support surface;   means for displacement in at least one direction parallel and/or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the patient support surface and a magnet structure of a Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus, wherein the surface of the patient support device is capable of being displaced relative to said magnet structure;   wherein each receptacle for housing at least one of the coils includes engagement means complementary to the housing/coupling receptacle of the patient support surface;   wherein each receptacle is coincident with a relevant anatomic region of the body to be imaged and the corresponding coil being adapted for the anatomic region to be imaged;   wherein the displacement means are manually operable, the device further comprising automatic stroke limiters in one or both directions of displacement of at least the patient support surface, wherein the limiters are controlled by means for detecting coils in their respective receptacles through a monitoring and controller unit which receives a signal that one or more coils are present and coupled in the corresponding housing or coupling receptacles and, depending on the known position of the coil or coils on the patient support surfaces, operates the displacement stroke limiting means so that the displacement of at least the patient support surface stops at a predetermined position of said coil or coils relative to a stationary reference.   
     
     
         61 . A device as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said displacement stroke limiting means are end stop abutments whose position is adjustable with reference to the device displacement direction or directions and which are controlled on or off by the controller. 
     
     
         62 . A device as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said means for stopping the displacement stroke of at least the patient support surface in one or both transverse directions are a plurality of hydraulic bearings, placed in predetermined positions in the first and/or second guides wherein said bearings are controlled by the controller from an idle position, retracted or flush with respect to the plane of the guides, along which the associated slides slide, to an operating, outwardly extracted abutment position, which stops the sliding motion of the first and/or second slides. 
     
     
         63 . A device as claimed in  claim 60 , further comprising means for detecting the position of at least the patient support surface along one or both transverse displacement directions, said means being connected to the monitoring and controller unit. 
     
     
         64 . A device as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein the displacement means are motor-driven and are connected to the monitoring and controller unit which, depending on the signals from the means for detecting the position of at least the patient support surface and/or depending on the signals from the means for detecting the presence of a coil in its receptacles, operates said motor driven displacement means in one or both transverse directions and during such a time or through such a stroke as to automatically move the detected coil and associated anatomic region of the patient in a predetermined position, relative to a stationary reference. 
     
     
         65 . A device as claimed in  claim 64 , further comprising means for stopping displacement in one or both transverse directions. 
     
     
         66 . A device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein said motor-driven displacement means includes mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or pneumatic means or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         67 . A device as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein the means for detecting the position of at least the patient support surface along one or both transverse displacement directions and/or relative to the stationary reference comprises, for each motor, at least one angular encoder, which detects angular position of a shaft of the motor and communicates the angular position to the monitoring and controller unit, which detects the displacement stroke in one or both transverse directions, the corresponding to position coordinates. 
     
     
         68 . A device as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein the means for detecting the position of at least the patient support surface includes one or more proximity sensors and/or one or more resistive sensors and/or a plurality of optical reader codes. 
     
     
         69 . A device as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein the motor-driven displacement means and the means for detecting the position of at least the patient support surface are only provided for the first of the two transverse displacement directions, and the displacement in the second direction is performed manually, the displacement stopping means being only automatically operated in said second displacement direction. 
     
     
         70 . A device as claimed in  claim 60 , further comprising means for locking at least the patient support surface in a desired displaced position in one or both transverse directions. 
     
     
         71 . A device as claimed in  claim 60 , further comprising a magnet structure of a Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus, wherein the patient support device is configured to be moved into a predetermined imaging volume within a cavity defined by said magnet structure, said imaging volume being a fixed reference for limiting the displacement of the support device or at least the support surface in one or two transverse, orthogonal directions, and wherein motor-driven displacement means and/or displacement stroke limiting means and/or means for detecting the position of at least the support surface and/or means for detecting the stroke in one or both displacement directions are controlled in such a manner that the displacement stroke limiters and/or the motor-driven displacement means are actuated so that the support surface is automatically stopped when the receiver coil, whose presence is detected in one of the coupling receptacles, is coincident with or at least partly contained in the imaging volume. 
     
     
         72 . A device as claimed in  claim 71 , further comprising a footrest situated at the patient feet end. 
     
     
         73 . A device as claimed in  claim 71 , further comprising at least one or more receptacles on a longitudinal center axis of the patient support surface and at least one or more housing and/or coupling receptacles along at least two longitudinal axes, which are symmetrical with respect to the center axis. 
     
     
         74 . A device as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein the patient support surface is essentially horizontal, or the support surface is adjusted in its space orientation to an angular position at least relative to an axis transverse to the patient support surface or relative to two transverse, orthogonal axes.