A transport apparatus may include a patient bed unit for supporting the patient; a transferring unit for moving the patient bed unit along a first direction of the MRI device; and an elevating module for moving the patient bed unit along a second direction of the MRI device.

The invention provides for a medical apparatus (100, 300, 400) comprising a subject support (102) configured for moving a subject (106) from a first position (124) to a second position (130) along a linear path (134). The subject support comprises a support surface (108) for receiving the subject. The subject support is further configured for positioning the subject support in at least one intermediate position (128). The subject support is configured for measuring a displacement (132) along the linear path between the first position and the at least one intermediate position. Each of the at least one intermediate position is located between the first position and the second position. The medical apparatus further comprises a camera (110) configured for imaging the support surface in the first position. Execution of machine executable instructions 116 cause the a processor (116) controlling the medical apparatus to: acquire (200) an initial image (142) with the camera when the subject support is in the first position; control (202) the subject support to move the subject support from the first position to the second position; acquire (204) at least one intermediate image (144) with the camera and the displacement for each of the at least one intermediate image as the subject support is moved from the first position to the second position; and calculate (206) a height profile (150, 600, 604) of the subject by comparing the initial image and the at least one intermediate image. The height profile is at least partially calculated using the displacement. The height profile is descriptive of the spatially dependent height of the subject above the support surface.

A bed board for a diagnostic bed of a medical examination apparatus is formed in a material that includes basalt fibers. The bed board may have a bed board body composed of basalt fibers and a filler in a predetermined ratio, or may be formed by a hollow shell, composed of basalt fibers and a binder in a predetermined ratio, with the hollow shell being filled by a filler material.

A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for obtaining imaging data from human head, jaws, sinuses, extremities and even full body, while standing, sitting or lying down. The disclosed MRI system is configured to accommodate patient shoulders in some embodiments. In various embodiments the cross section of the bore may be circular, oval, or any other appropriate and useful geometric shape. In some embodiments the body of the MRI scanner is rotatably mounted on a variable height stand to adjust for any orientation of the patient and patient's body parts.

An accessory kit is provided for interventional procedures using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The accessory kit includes a patient support and an electrical connection adapter. The patient support has a first end proximal and a second end distal to the scanner. The distal end is configured to create a space to accommodate a clinician, such as narrowing of the distal end or at least one cutout on a side of the distal end. The electrical connection adapter interfaces with the scanner and a scanner table. The accessory kit is configured so that when the proximal end is extended into the scanner bore, the distal end extends outside the bore. The narrowed width and/or cutout(s) of the exposed distal end and the extended gap between the scanner and scanner table create space on at least one side of the patient support that a clinician may use to access a patient.

The method includes: providing a body value of a patient; setting an operating parameter of a drive chain via a control unit configured to control the drive chain as a function of the body value in such a manner that a speed value of the patient couch is increased and a rocking of the patient couch during the movement of the patient couch is at least partially suppressed; and moving the patient couch via the drive chain in accordance with the increased speed value to perform the medical imaging.

A cooling channel in a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus transfers heat away from the radiation detector and detector electronics, while limiting influence on magnetic fields generated within the gantry, when incorporated in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The cooling channel includes a non-electrically conducting, non-metallic housing in conductive thermal communication with the detector electronics and the radiation detector. A cooling conduit in the housing circulates coolant fluid. A unitary, non-electrically conductive, non-metallic heat sink in the housing is in direct conductive, thermal communication with the housing and the cooling conduit. A solid, thermally conductive layer is interposed between and affixed to opposing, spaced exterior surfaces of the conduit and the heat sink

A patient support apparatus comprises a plurality of load cells, a frame supported on the load cells, a mattress, a plurality of air pressure sensors, and a control system. The mattress includes a plurality of inflatable zones positioned on the frame, the mattress and frame cooperating to direct any patient load through the mattress and frame to the load cells. Each of the plurality of air pressure sensors measures the pressure in a respective inflatable zone of the mattress. The control system includes a controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the plurality of load cells and each of the plurality of air pressure sensors and process the signals to identify motion of the patient. The motion of the patient is further processed by the controller to characterize the nature of the patient motion as a high shear motion or a low shear motion, and based on the characterization of the patient motion, the controller automatically updates a patient profile in a patient record or communicates the information with a caregiver.

A device and system for supporting a patient or an object in an examination is provided. The supporting system may include a portion for supporting the body of a patient and/or a head supporting device. The portion for supporting the body may move in one or more directions. The head supporting device may be adjust to meet requirements of imaging when the patient or the object is supine or prone.

In a method and apparatus for supporting preparation of a patient for a medical imaging investigation, in particular a magnetic resonance investigation, patient data of a patient are acquired by operation of an acquisition unit. An item of position information of an object is calculated by a calculation computer, the calculation of the position information of the object taking place on the basis of the patient data and/or on the basis of an item of investigation information and/or on the basis of data from accessory units. The position information of the object is projected by means of a projection unit.