Methods and apparatus for patient positioning in magnetic resonance imaging

1. A system configured to perform magnetic resonance imaging of a patient's head, the system comprising:

a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device for performing the magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's head, the MRI device comprising at least one B 0 magnet configured to generate a B 0 magnetic field for the MRI device;

a member attached to the MRI device; and

a helmet configured to accommodate the patient's head during the magnetic resonance imaging, the helmet comprising:

at least one radio frequency transmit and/or receive coil; and

at least one first releasable securing mechanism configured to engage with the member attached to the MRI device such that when the at least one first releasable securing mechanism engages with the member, the helmet is positioned within an imaging region of the MRI device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first releasable securing mechanism comprises:

a receptacle dimensioned to accommodate the member; and

a retention portion configured to resist movement of the member once the member has been positioned within the receptacle.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the retention portion comprises a first arm portion and a second arm portion, each forming at least a portion of the receptacle, wherein the first arm portion comprises a first protrusion and the second arm portion comprises a second protrusion, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to impede the member from entering and exiting the receptacle, such that force on the first protrusion and the second protrusion is needed to allow the member to enter and exit the receptacle.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured such that a first force required to allow the member to enter the receptacle is less than a second force required to allow the member to exit the receptacle.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first releasable securing mechanism allows rotation of the helmet about the member.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the MRI device is a low-field MRI device and the B 0 magnet is configured to generate a B 0 field of 0.2 Tesla (T) or less and greater than or equal to 20 mT.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the MRI device is a low-field MRI device and the B 0 magnet is configured to generate a B 0 field of 0.1 T or less and greater than or equal to 50 mT.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the MRI device is a portable MRI device comprising a base and a conveyance mechanism coupled to the base for transporting the portable MRI device.

9. A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging of a patient's head, the method comprising:

securing a helmet configured to accommodate the patient's head during magnetic resonance imaging to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, wherein the helmet comprises at least one radio frequency transmit and/or receive coil and wherein securing the helmet comprises:

engaging at least one first releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with a member attached to the MRI device such that the helmet is positioned within an imaging region of the MRI device; and

imaging the patient's head using the at least one radio frequency transmit and/or receive coil.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising releasing the helmet from the member at least in part by releasing the at least one first releasable securing mechanism from the member.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising, subsequent to engaging the at least one first releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with the member attached to the MRI device, positioning the patient's head in the helmet.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein engaging the at least one first releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with the member attached to the MRI device comprises positioning the member within a receptacle of the at least one first releasable securing mechanism, wherein the at least one first releasable securing mechanism further comprises a retention portion configured to resist movement of the member once the member has been positioned within the receptacle.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the retention portion comprises a first arm portion and a second arm portion, each forming at least a portion of the receptacle, wherein the first arm portion comprises a first protrusion and the second arm portion comprises a second protrusion, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to impede the member from entering and exiting the receptacle, such that force on the first protrusion and the second protrusion is needed to allow the member to enter and exit the receptacle.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising engaging at least one second releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with at least one recess of the member attached to the MRI device, wherein the at least one second releasable securing mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the helmet about the member when the at least one second releasable securing mechanism engages with the at least one recess.

15. A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging of a patient's head, the method comprising:

securing a helmet configured to accommodate the patient's head during magnetic resonance imaging to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, wherein the helmet comprises at least one radio frequency transmit and/or receive coil and wherein securing the helmet comprises:

engaging at least one first releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with a member attached to the MRI device such that the at least one first releasable securing mechanism resists translation of the helmet relative to the member, but permits rotation about the member; and

engaging at least one second releasable securing mechanism with a cooperating portion of the member attached to the MRI device such that the at least one second releasable securing mechanism prevents rotation of the helmet about the member; and

imaging the patient's head using the at least one radio frequency transmit and/or receive coil.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising releasing the helmet from the member at least in part by releasing the at least one first releasable securing mechanism from the member and releasing the at least one second releasable securing mechanism from the cooperating member.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, subsequent to engaging the at least one first releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with the member attached to the MRI device and engaging the at least one second releasable securing mechanism with the cooperating portion of the member attached to the MRI device, positioning the patient's head in the helmet.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein engaging the at least one first releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with the member attached to the MRI device comprises positioning the member within a receptacle of the at least one first releasable securing mechanism, wherein the at least one first releasable securing mechanism further comprises a retention portion configured to resist movement of the member once the member has been positioned within the receptacle.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein engaging the at least one second releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with the cooperating portion of the member comprises engaging the at least one second releasable securing mechanism with at least one recess of the cooperating member, wherein the at least one recess is configured to prevent rotation of the helmet about the member when the at least one second releasable securing mechanism engages with the at least one recess.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein engaging the at least one second releasable securing mechanism of the helmet with the cooperating portion of the member further comprises fitting a pin of the at least one second releasable securing mechanism within at least one notch of the recess.