INSERTABLE PATIENT TABLE FOR PEDIATRIC OR SMALL PATIENTS FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCANNER

Abstract

The invention relates to an insertable patient table for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, wherein the patient table has a length of up to ± 20 % of the length of the bore of the main magnet of the scanner and is adapted for pediatric and/or small patients, and wherein the patient table is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the main magnet without having a stand standing on the floor of an examination room. The invention further relates to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner comprising an insertable patient table and a method for positioning a small and/or pediatric patient within the bore of a main magnet of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner.

Claims

1. Insertable patient table for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, wherein the patient table has a length of up to ±20 % of the length of the bore of the main magnet of the scanner and is adapted for pediatric and/or small patients, and wherein the patient table is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the main magnet without having a stand standing on the floor of an examination room of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner.

2. Insertable patient table according to claim 1, comprising a base portion having a shape adapted to the lower half of the magnet bore, and a table top overlay adapted to be placed on top of the base portion and adapted to accommodate the patient during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Examination.

3. Insertable patient table according to claim 1, which is adapted to accommodate a local RF coil for carrying out Magnetic Resonance Imaging examinations on the patient.

4. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein the table top overlay has a non-adherent surface on the bottom in order to be slidable on the upper surface of the base portion.

5. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, comprising a device which is adapted to generate an air cushion on the bottom side of the table top overlay, such that sliding of the table top overlay on the upper surface of the base portion is facilitated.

6. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein the table top overlay has one or several grips for handling.

7. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein the patient table and in particular the base portion comprises a part made of a lightweight material, in particular a rigid foam.

8. Insertable patient table according to claim 1, wherein the patient table comprises a lightweight construction.

9. Insertable patient table according to claim 1, wherein the patient table or a part thereof is height-adjustable.

10. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein a local RF coil is incorporated into the table top overlay.

11. Insertable patient table according to claim 1, wherein the length of the patient table or a part thereof, in particular the length of a table top overlay placed on top of a base portion, is adjustable.

12. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein the patient table and in particular the base portion comprises a recess adapted to hold a local RF coil.

13. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the table top overlay is smaller than the upper surface of the base portion, and wherein the table top overlay is adapted to be placed on top of the base portion, such that the longitudinal direction of the table top overlay may be at various angles to the z-direction of the main magnet and parallel to the upper surface of the base portion.

14. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, wherein the table top overlay is made of a non-conductive material.

15. Insertable patient table according to claim 2, comprising a base portion having a shape adapted to the lower half of the magnet bore, and a set of table top overlays adapted to be placed on top of the base portion, and adapted to a set of different patient sizes.

16. Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner comprising an insertable patient table, wherein the patient table has a length of up to ±20% of the length of the bore of the main magnet of the scanner and is adapted for pediatric and/or small patients, and wherein the patient table is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the main magnet without having a stand standing on the floor of an examination room of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner.

17. Method for positioning a small and/or pediatric patient within the bore of a main magnet of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner comprising an insertable patient table adapted to be inserted into the bore of the main magnet and having a length of up to ±20 % of the length of the bore of the main magnet, wherein the patient table comprises a base portion having a shape adapted to the lower half of the magnet bore, and a table top overlay adapted to be placed on top of the base portion and adapted to accommodate a patient during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Examination, The method comprising the following steps: placing the base portion in the bore of the main magnet; positioning the patient on the table top overlay; manually transferring the table top overlay with the patient into the bore; adjusting the angle and position or the table top overlay on an upper surface of the base portion, in particular to optimize patient access during the MRI examination.

18. Method for carrying out a MRI examination on a small and/or pediatric patient, comprising the positioning steps according to claim 17, and further comprising: carrying out the MRI examination; removing the patient from the bore using one or several grips.

Description

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an insertable patient table according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a MRI Scanner according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of a MRI Scanner according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a schematic front view of a MRI Scanner according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention for positioning a small and/or pediatric patient within the bore of a main magnet of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an insertable patient table 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is adapted to be inserted into the bore 2 of a MRI scanner. The 2 bore has the shape of hollow cylinder oriented horizontally. The insertable patient table is adapted to be inserted into the bore along the z-direction. The insertable patient table does not have a stand standing on the floor of an examination room of the MRI scanner. The length of the insertable patient table is adapted to fit the size of a small and/or pediatric patient and is smaller or equal to the length of the bore, or longer by 20% at the most, so that the patient table according to the invention does not protrude from the bore by more than 20% of the bore length. Therefore, the access to the patient or the medical equipment is facilitated. Due to the absence of a stand the access is further facilitated and a fast evacuation of the patient in case of an emergency is enabled.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a MRI Scanner 5 according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a cylindrical main magnet 7, a bore 2, a base portion 3 and a table top overlay 4. The base portion 3 is shaped as a segment of cylinder and is placed within the bore such that the flat upper side is positioned at or a few centimeters below the central axis of the cylindrical bore, and the round side is on the bottom. The shape of the base portion is adapted to fit into the lower half, or slightly less than half, of the cylindrical bore. A table top overlay is placed on top of the base portion to enable moving the patient. The size of the table top overlay is adapted to fit into the bore. The size of the upper surface of the table top overlay is smaller than the upper surface of the base portion. The table top overlay is placed on top of the base portion, such that the longitudinal direction of the table top overlay may be at various angles to the z-direction of the main magnet and parallel to the upper surface of the base portion to enable positioning or repositioning the patient before and/or during MRI examination and intervention. In most cases, the distance of the top of the table overlay and the center of the bore is around half the body thickness of the patient (or width if the patient positioned on the side side).

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of a MRI Scanner 5 according to a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a cylindrical main magnet 7, a bore 2, a base portion 3 and a table top overlay 4, wherein the table top overlay comprises a RF coil 8. Therefore, the RF coil is close to the patient and the position of the RF coiled is moved together with the patient. This has the advantage of an improved image quality.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a schematic front view of a MRI Scanner 5 according to a third embodiment of the invention, comprising a cylindrical main magnet 7, a bore 2, a base portion 3 and a table top overlay 4, wherein the base portion comprises a RF coil 8. This embodiment has the advantage of being inexpensive as no RF coil has to be inserted into every patient table of a set of patient tables.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a grip in the shape of a recess 6. The recess 6 is located on the front side of the patient table 1. This enables handling the patient table 1 and facilitates moving and positioning the patient before and/or during the MRI examination. Further, adjusting the angle and position of the patient and/or the patient table 1 is facilitated.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising two recesses or cut-outs 6 for handling the patient table. According to an embodiment, the patient table 1 has two cut-outs 6. Each of the longer sides of the insertable patient table 1 has one cut-out 6. The presence of two cut-outs 6 has the advantage that there is a separate cut-out 6 for each hand, which facilitates handling the patient table 1.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a grip 6 protruding from the surface of the patient table 1. The grip 6 is located at the front side of the insertable patient table 1 to facilitate handling the patient table 1.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view of an insertable patient table 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising two handles 6, protruding from the surface of the patient table 1, to enable handling the patient table 1 with two hands.

[0063] The various recesses and grips shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 may be part of the table top overlay.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart, illustrating a method for positioning a small and/or pediatric patient within the bore of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner according to an embodiment of the invention. The method comprises the following steps: [0065] step S1: placing the base portion in the bore of the main magnet of the MRI scanner; [0066] step S2: positioning the patient on the table top overlay; [0067] step S3: manually transferring the table top overlay with the pediatric patient to the bore; [0068] step S4: adjusting the angle and position of the table top overlay on the upper surface of the base portion; [0069] step S5: carrying out the MRI examination; [0070] step S6: removing the patient from the bore by using the grips of the table top overlay.