Picker International, Inc.

Picker Corporation

William H Amor, Sr

Robert E Levar

Gordon D DeMeester

Michael Andrew Morich

Anton Z Zupancic

James L Gruden

Kenneth C Kontor

Jerome S Alden, Sr

Junxiao Ling

John L Dobbs

Kenneth J Page

Jerome S Alden

A diagnostic imaging apparatus such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device includes a vacuum vessel (,) having a central helium reservoir (,) in which superconducting magnetic coil windings (,) are maintained at a superconducting temperature. The vacuum vessel defines a bore (,) within which a gradient tube assembly (,) and an RF coil (,) are received. The gradient tube assembly includes an integral tongue (,) extending from a patient end (,) thereof. A first constraint (,) retrains the gradient tube assembly in a &ldquo;push-pull&rdquo; arrangement in both directions along the z-axis. The constraint (,) is mounted to a patient-end of the vessel (,) at a lowermost (i.e., six o'clock) position. The constraint includes vibration isolators (,) interposed between the tongue and a saddle mount (,) to reduce vibration transmission from the gradient tube assembly to the vessel. A second constraint (,) and a third constraint (,) are positioned at the twelve-o'clock positions at the patient-end and service-end, respectively of the vessel. The constraints (,) restrain the gradient tube assembly in directions along the x and y-axes. Each constraint (,) includes at least one elastomeric plug (,) and means for expanding the plug along the x and/or y-axis to wedge the plug between the gradient tube assembly and a cylindrical housing member (,) defining the bore (,).

Method and apparatus for mounting gradient tube to diagnostic imaging device

The magnetic field assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging device includes an annular superconducting magnet (10) which is mounted within a toroidal vacuum vessel (24). Two cylindrical members (26, 46) define an annular gap (58). A shim set (60) for shimming the uniformity of the magnetic field is mounted in the gap (58). The shim set includes a plurality of shim trays (62), each of which defines a plurality of shim receiving pockets (64). A bottom wall (81) of each pocket is spaced from the cylindrical member (26) by side walls (76) and feet (78) to minimized heat flow. Shim tray covers (68) have flanges (90) and narrow contact surfaces (94) which are cammed against surfaces (61) of spacers (56) to press the cover on the tray and the tray feet against the cylinder (26) while minimizing heat flow through the spacers to the shims.

Shim tray with reduced heat conduction and forced cooling

The magnetic field assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging device includes an annular superconducting magnet (10) which is mounted within a toroidal vacuum vessel (24). A cylindrical member (26) defines a central bore (12) through which the superconducting magnets generate a uniform, static magnetic field. A cylindrical, dielectric former (46) is mounted in the bore displaced by an annular gap (58) from the cylindrical member. A shimset (60) for shimming the uniformity of the magnetic field is mounted in the gap (58). A radio frequency coil (32) is mounted within the cylindrical member defining a patient receiving examination region. An RF shield (34) is mounted around the exterior peripheral surface of the former. Primary gradient coils (50, 52, 54) are mounted around and potted to the exterior of the dielectric former around the RF shield. Gradient shield or secondary coils (74, 76, 78) are potted around an exterior of the cylindrical member within the vacuum chamber.

Combined self shielded gradient coil and shimset

Main field magnets (10) create a static magnetic field through an examination region that is surrounding a resonator coil assembly (22). The resonator coil assembly includes a dielectric cylinder (60) on which a plurality of foil antenna or coil segments (30) are mounted. Pairs of adjustable tuning and matching capacitors (28, 34) are mounted on opposite sides of the cylinder in electric connection with the foil segments. The tuning capacitors are connected with a first pair of driven gears (90) disposed on one side of an annular reinforcing ring (64) and the matching capacitors are connected with a second pair of driven gears (100) mounted on the other side of the reinforcing ring. First and second ring gears (66, 68) are mounted at three points on opposite sides of the reinforcing ring each at its respective drive gear and pair of driven gears. In this manner, rotation of the appropriate drive gear rotates the respective ring gear about the cylinder causing concurrent rotation of the associated driven gears such that the associated pair of capacitors are adjusted concurrently by the same amount. Optionally, keeper assemblies (110) may be connected to the annular reinforcing ring to prevent circumferential deflection of the ring gears.

Simply supported ring gear for autotuneable body resonator

A headrest assembly for a patient receiving couch includes an integrally formed support body and a structure for detachably securing the support body to an associated patient receiving couch. The support body includes a torso receiving region, a neck supporting region and a head receiving region. The securing structure includes a pair of side securing member for positioning a pair of sides of the support body in relation to the patient receiving couch.

Headrest for medical treatment couch

A computed tomography scanner having a brake which is automatically engaged in the event dynamic motor braking fails to stop scanner motion. Within a predetermined range of motion two brake mechanisms are employed. One has a brake shoe to contact a braking surface and stop rotation of the scanner in one direction and a second has a second brake shoe which stops rotation in an opposite direction. The brake shoes are engaged and retracted by a cam surface which as the scanner rotates, moves into contact with one of two bearings connected to associated ones of the brake shoes.

Brake method and apparatus

A computed tomography motor forming an integral part of the scanning apparatus. Motor laminations are mounted to a stationary computed tomography gantry while motor magnets are mounted directly and onto the cylindrical surface of a rotating race member opposite the field the field generating means to rotate with a rotatable computed tomography frame. Energization of the motor laminations cause relative movement between frame and gantry thereby causing an X-ray tube supported by the frame to rotate with the respect to a subject of interest.

Computed tomography motor

Computed tomography brake method and apparatus

An X-ray table comprising a body having end, front and rear side members formed of inside and outside skin members having parts thereof spaced from one another and connected together by reinforcing members welded to the skin members and a method of making such a table. According to the method the side members are constructed as subassemblies with the inside and outside skin members of the end and front sides merely welded at their upper edges. Subsequently the vertical side members of the table body are assembled in a fixture without stress in the sheet metal parts. The outside members are then welded together at the junctures thereof. Finally the inside skin members of the end side members are welded to the reinforcing members previously welded to the end outside skin members and the front inside skin members is welded to the reinforcing members.

Growing community of inventors

Chagrin Falls, OH, United States of America

William H Amor, Sr