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:
Mar. 11, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 08, 2003
Craig F. Ferris, Holden, MA (US);
Arthur C. Allard, Templeton, MA (US);
Reinhold Ludwig, Paxton, MA (US);
Gene Bogdanov, Manchester, CT (US);
Craig F. Ferris, Holden, MA (US);
Arthur C. Allard, Templeton, MA (US);
Reinhold Ludwig, Paxton, MA (US);
Gene Bogdanov, Manchester, CT (US);
Insight Neuroimaging Systems, LLC, Worcester, MA (US);
Abstract
In one aspect, a restraining assembly for an awake animal within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided and includes a body restrainer having a first part and a second part that hold a body of the awake animal therebetween. The assembly is of a dual coil design in that it has a volume coil for generating an excitation RF signal and an RF surface coil for receiving an RF response from the animal. The assembly further includes components that serve to restrain movements of the animal, thereby eliminating motion artifacts during the MRI procedure. For example, the assembly preferably includes an adjustable hip holder that has a first section that seats against and applies a restraining force to a buttocks/hip area of the animal and a second section that is adjustably coupled to a pivoting member that is attached to the first section of the body restrainer such that the hip holder is adjustable in both a longitudinal direction along a length of the body restrainer and an up/down direction within the body restrainer between the first and second parts thereof. The pivoting member having features that permit the hip holder to be locked in a desired location so that a sufficient restraining force is applied the animal.