General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

David E Dean

Scott Thomas Mansell

Michael J Radziun

Dewain Anthony Purgill

Robert Michael Vavrek

Daniel Joseph Weyers

Ariel Friedlander

Mike James Radziun

William A Edelstein

Gregory Alan Steinlage

Sayed-Amr A El-Hamamsy

Robert Adolph Ackermann

Robert Arvin Hedeen

Richard Scott Hinks

Paul Shadforth Thompson

Mark Lloyd Miller

Bruce Campbell Amm

Thomas Dean Schaefer

Thomas Gerard Ebben

John Edward Lorbiecki

Bruce David Collick

Perry S Frederick

Richard Philip Mallozzi

John Peter Fura

Clifford J Ginfrida

Liqin Wang

Roman I Dachniwskyj

Shizhe Li

David B Ferguson

Donald Elroy Kosak

Peter L Sue

Thomas M Nixon

David Glenn Lee

Donald J Jenders

A system and method for controlling thermal output of a medical device is disclosed. A thermal controller receives operational parameters for an impending use of a medical device and predicts a thermal output of the medical device from the operational parameters. The thermal controller compares the predicted thermal output to a desired limit on thermal output and, if the predicted thermal output exceeds the desired limit on thermal output, dynamically controls power consumption by the medical device to maintain an actual thermal output substantially at or below the desired limit on thermal output during use of the medical device.

System and method for predictive thermal output control of a medical device

A thermal control system having an initial bore condition and a thermal boundary condition for an MRI includes a thermal controller adapted to set at least one dynamic limit on power input into an MRI gradient coil. The dynamic limit is determined for a first commanded prescription as a function of the initial bore condition and the thermal boundary condition.

Embedded thermal control system for high field MR scanners

An anode assembly () includes a thermally conductive bearing encasement () covering a portion of a bearing (). An anode () rotates on the bearing () and has a target () with an associated focal spot (). The thermally conductive bearing encasement () is configured and expansion limited to prevent displacement of the focal spot () of greater than a predetermined displacement during operation of the anode ().

Bearing temperature and focal spot position controlled anode for a CT system

A technique for reducing acoustic noise emitted by a magnetic resonance imaging system includes providing energy dampening elements in the scanner, such as within the gradient coil assembly, between the gradient coil assembly and the primary magnet, and around the outer and inner peripheries of the primary magnet and RF coil. The elements may be formed to conform to the structures of the scanner, and may be tile-like elements which can be fitted to new scanners and retrofitted to existing equipment.

Method and apparatus for reducing acoustic noise in MRI scanners

An MR system isolation impedance mismatch apparatus ( ) includes an impedance mismatch layer ( ). The impedance mismatch layer ( ) performs as a mechanical notch filter and isolates an MR system component ( ) from a surrounding structure ( ). A method of tuning the impedance mismatch apparatus ( ) includes determining a default notch filter frequency range. The impedance mismatch apparatus ( ) is formed and performs as a notch filter having the default notch filter frequency range. The impedance mismatch apparatus ( ) is installed and tested between the MR system component ( ) and the surrounding structure ( ). Vibrations are detected in the MR system component ( ) and in the surrounding structure ( ). The impedance mismatch apparatus is adjusted in response to the detected vibrations.

Impedance mismatch apparatus and system for isolation of an MR imaging system

An RF birdcage coil for use in MRI systems is disclosed. A number of slotted or nonconductive channels are provided in the conductive material of the RF coil to minimize the size of the conductive paths available for eddy currents. Furthermore, blocking capacitors are applied between the legs and the end segments of the conductive elements to isolate the end segments from the legs at low frequency harmonics, such as those associated with eddy currents, while acting substantially as a short circuit at high operational frequencies. Preferably, the blocking capacitors are constructed by providing the legs of a plurality of I-beams on a first side of a dielectric material, and the end segments on an opposing side. The blocking capacitor results from overlapping the conductive material forming the leg and end segment on opposite sides of the dielectric material.

RF birdcage coil with reduced acoustic noise

A thermal radiation shield and a method for applying the same includes a first coating layer , a second coating layer , and a thermal shield layer . The first coating layer is applied to a first surface. The second coating layer is applied to a second service. The thermal shield layer is positioned between the first coating layer and the second coating layer to form the thermal radiation shield . The thermal radiation shield has non-interfering electrical properties.

Non-conductive long wave thermal radiation shield

A low noise imaging apparatus for producing Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of a subject and for substantially minimizing acoustic noise generated during imaging is provided. The imaging apparatus comprises a magnet assembly, a gradient coil assembly, and a rf coil assembly, wherein at least one of the magnet assembly, the gradient coil assembly and the rf coil assembly are configured to reduce the generation and transmission of acoustic noise.

Low noise MRI scanner

An apparatus for supporting a patient support bridge member in an MR system where a first end of the bridge is supported by an upright support member on a first side of an MR imaging bore and the bridge extends through the bore so that a second end of the bridge extends out a second side of the bore, the apparatus including a bracket mounted to an MR main magnet on the second side of the bore and extending upwardly to contact and support the bridge there above.

MR bridge support

Apparatus is provided for reducing the level of acoustic noise or energy which is received by an imaging subject located within the bore of an MR imaging system. The apparatus comprises a bridge fixed within the bore to support the subject during MR data acquisition, and further comprises a curved frame, usefully formed of fiberglass, which is removably insertable in the bore for placement upon the bridge. The frame, when in place upon the bridge, defines a space within the bore which is disposed to receive the imaging subject. The frame is covered by a layer of material, such as open cell foam, which is capable of absorbing substantial amounts of acoustic energy present in the bore. At the same time, the material is highly transmissive to RF signals required for MR data acquisition and avoids spurious RF signal generation which would add noise to MR data.

Apparatus for reducing acoustic noise in an MR imaging system

Apparatus which provides a barrier for vibrational energy between an MR imaging system and an associated horizontal support surface includes a stiff platform of substantial mass, which is disposed to carry the entire weight of the MR imaging system. The apparatus further includes a number of vibration isolation elements positioned to support the platform and the MR imaging system upon the horizontal support surface. Each of the isolation elements comprises an enclosure containing pressurized air which is disposed to dampen vibrations, in order to oppose the transmission of vibrations between the platform and the support surface. An air pressure regulator is coupled to respective isolation elements to maintain specified air pressure levels therein, in order to support the platform in selected spaced-apart orientation with respect to the horizontal support surface.

Vibration isolation apparatus for MR imaging system

In an MR imaging system provided with a main magnet having a bore and with a gradient coil assembly located within the bore, RF coil apparatus is provided for reducing noise in the imaging volume of the MR system. The RF coil apparatus comprises a tubular RF coil form provided with an inner surface, an RF coil attached to the inner surface of the RF coil form, and mounting structure extending between the RF coil form and gradient coil assembly. The mounting structure supports the RF coil and RF coil form upon the gradient coil assembly, in spaced-apart relationship therewith. The apparatus further compises an inner tubular member which is selectively constructed to oppose transmission of acoustic signals from the RF coil to the imaging volume. The inner tubular member is fixably supported within the main magnet bore so as to be in selected spaced-apart relationship with the RF coil and RF coil form, the inner tubular member substantially enclosing a specified portion of the volume of the bore, which comprises the MR system imaging volume.

Reduced noise RF coil apparatus for MR imaging system

In an MR system, a mounting assembly is provided at each end of the bore of the main magnet for supporting a cylindrical gradient coil assembly within the bore. Each mounting assembly comprises first and second brackets, the first bracket being provided with a concave bearing surface having a specified curvature. The first bracket is fixably joined to the main magnet proximate to the lower side of the bore, and the second bracket is provided with a convex bearing surface which is selectively similar to the curvature of the concave bearing surface of the first bracket. The second bracket is attached to a lower portion of the gradient coil, so that the convex bearing surface extends longitudinally outward from the gradient coil assembly. A vibration attenuator is positioned between the convex and concave bearing surfaces of each mounting assembly, the vibration attenuator acting to transmit a static force between the two bearing surfaces to support the gradient coil assembly within the bore. At the same time, the vibration attenuator acts to oppose transmission of mechanical vibrations from the gradient coil assembly to the main magnet. The vibration attenuator comprises first and second pads formed of elastomeric vibration isolation material, which are joined together in a stacked interlocking relationship.

Apparatus for supporting MR gradient coil assembly

Vibration and noise isolation for a magnetic resonance imager (MRI) superconducting magnet cryocooler includes a bellows between the cryocooler and its vacuum sleeve in the magnet, a mass suspended along the axis of, but at a distance from, the cryocooler, elastomeric blocks parallel to the axis, and braided copper wires connecting the vacuum sleeve and the heat shields of the MRI. Motion limiters and bellows flexures are provided for dynamic loads which might be encountered during transport of the magnet.

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Florence, SC, United States of America

David E Dean