Positionable patient-interface apparatus for an imaging system
Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes a patient-interface positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and a patient interface connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first patient-interface is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first patient-interface at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar patient-interface and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).
1. An apparatus for imaging a patient in an imager system, the apparatus comprising:
a frame configured to be positioned in a bore of the imager system; and
a first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly, the first patient-interface assembly including
a first ball-and-socket joint connected to a reference position on the frame;
a positioner rod passing through the first ball-and-socket joint, wherein the first ball-and-socket joint includes a first tightening mechanism to hold a pitch-angle and yaw-angle position relative to the reference position and a second tightening mechanism to hold the positioner rod at an extension distance relative to the reference position; and
a patient interface connected to a proximal end of the positioner rod by a second ball-and-socket joint on the positioner rod.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes:
a coil frame with a coil; and
a second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly including a first ball-and-socket joint, wherein the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly is substantially similar to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly, and wherein the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies are each attached to the coil frame by their respective first ball-and-socket joints.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies each include an audio transducer configured to deliver audio content to the patient in the coil.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies each include one or more RF coils for transducing RF MRI signals.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly includes an audio transducer configured to deliver audio content to the patient in the coil.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first patient-interface assembly includes one or more RF coils for transducing RF MRI signals.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first patient-interface assembly includes a motor interfaced to the positioner rod to controllably extend and withdraw an end of the first patient-interface assembly.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the patient interface of the first patient-interface assembly includes a cushioned ear pad.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the imager system is a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system.
10. A method for imaging a patient in an imager system, the method comprising:
providing a first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly, the first patient-interface assembly including a rod that is connected to a frame by passing through a first ball-and-socket joint and has a patient interface connected to a proximal end of the rod by a second joint;
positioning the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly to a selected one of a plurality of possible pitch-and-yaw-angle combinations of the rod relative to the frame and to a selected one of a plurality of insertion depths relative to the frame;
tightening a first portion of the first ball-and-socket joint to yieldably hold the rod at the selected pitch angle and yaw angle; and
tightening a second portion of the first ball-and-socket joint to yieldably hold the rod at the selected insertion depth.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
providing the frame, wherein the frame holds a coil;
providing a second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly including a first ball-and-socket joint, wherein the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly is substantially similar to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly but mirror-symmetric to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly about a central plane of the coil; and
attaching the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies to the coil by their respective first ball-and-socket joints.
12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
providing the frame, wherein the frame holds a coil,
providing a second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly including a first ball-and-socket joint, wherein the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly is substantially similar to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly but mirror-symmetric to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly about a central plane of the coil,
attaching the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies to the coil by their respective first ball-and-socket joints, and
delivering audio content to the patient in the coil through the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising transmitting RF MRI signals from the first patient-interface assembly.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving RF MRI signals by the first patient-interface assembly.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising transmitting and receiving RF MRI signals from the first patient-interface assembly.
16. An apparatus for imaging a patient in an imager system, the apparatus comprising:
a first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly, the first patient-interface assembly including a rod that is connected to a frame by passing through a first ball-and-socket joint and has a patient interface connected to a proximal end of the rod by a second joint;
means for tightening a first portion of the first ball-and-socket joint to yieldably hold the rod at a selected pitch angle and yaw angle relative to the frame, and
means for tightening a second portion of the first ball-and-socket joint to yieldably hold the rod at an insertion depth relative to the frame.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising:
the frame, wherein the frame holds a coil,
a second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly, wherein the second MRI-compatible patient-interface assembly is substantially similar to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly but mirror-symmetric to the first imager-system-compatible patient-interface assembly about a central plane of the coil, and
means for attaching the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies to the frame.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising means for delivering audio content to the patient in the coil through the first and the second imager-system-compatible patient-interface assemblies.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising means for transmitting RF MRI signals from the first patient-interface assembly; and
means for receiving RF MRI signals by the first patient-interface assembly.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the imager system is a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system.