Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Eric Jean

Andrew J Buckler

Lyubomir Georgiev Zagorchev

Paul Royston Harvey

Theo Jenneskens

Antonio T Latto

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system with emergency quench. According to the invention, a magnetic resonance imaging system () comprising a superconductive magnet () with windings () for generating a magnetic field, an emergency button () and a circuitry logic () for controlling the magnet () coupled to the magnet () and to the emergency button (), wherein the magnet () is operable in a superconducting state and in a normal conductivity state, respectively, and the emergency button () and the circuitry logic () are configured in such a way that, when the magnet () is operated in the superconducting state, actuating the emergency button () by a user in a predefined first way initiates ramping down the magnetic field while dissipating energy stored in the windings () of the magnet () to an external dissipation device (), and actuating the emergency button () by a user in a predefined second way which is different from the first way initiates quenching the magnetic field by heating up at least part of the windings () of the magnet () leading to a dissipation of energy stored in the windings () of the magnet () as additional heat to the magnet (). In this way, an easy and reliable way to control a superconductive magnet () of an MRI system () is provided in an event in which the magnetic field has to be removed.

Magnetic resonance imaging system with emergency quench

Investigation of in vivo models of disease requires imaging studies involving single subjects in single imaging sessions, serial imaging of individuals or groups of subjects, and integration of data across diverse and heterogeneous experimental methodologies. Each type of experiment is preferably supported by various feature sets that can be rigorously applied to produce quantitative, reproducible results. Current imaging scanners are not equipped with standardized capability that supports an automated and scientifically rigorous workflow suited to hypothesis testing. An imaging system includes a research workstation at which a user can design, execute, study, and report imaging plans. Flexibility that comes along with a modular design of the system allows the user to customize workflow parameters for more robust hypothesis testing.

Multi-modal imaging system and workstation with support for structured hypothesis testing

In a small animal imaging system () at least one modality () and a docking station () are provided. The docking station () provides a workspace () and docking ports () for preparation and holding of anesthetized animals that are awaiting imaging. For the duplication of positions, a subject mold () is provided that holds the subject in a reproducible position on a subject bed (). Vital signs monitoring is also provided for subjects awaiting scans. The bed () includes fiducials () to aid in registration of like modality images and different modality images. A capsule () can encapsulate a single bed (), or for tandem imaging, the capsule can encapsulate multiple-bed configurations, such as two, three, or four beds (). For better positioning and ease of user access, a positioner () positions the capsule () from the rear of the modality ().

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Woburn, MA, United States of America

Eric Jean