The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 03, 1997
Matthew A Bernstein, Waukesha, WI (US);
Gregory A Repinski, Waukesha, WI (US);
General Electric Company, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for measuring the weight of a medical imaging scanner patient. The scanner has a bore portion for receiving and housing the patient during a scan. Initially, a reclining apparatus associated with the scanner is provided, on which the patient can recline during the scan. A hydraulic lift mechanism is then used to position the reclining apparatus and the patient at bore level. The pressure within the hydraulic lift mechanism can then be measured as a function of downward force exerted by the reclining apparatus and the patient surface. Alternatively, the automatic measuring of patient mass, associated with the movement of the reclining apparatus and patient into the bore, can be determined by calculating instantaneous acceleration of the reclining apparatus and patient as the reclining apparatus and patient are slid into the bore.