摘要:
A needle biopsy system (10) includes a biopsy needle (210) , and a needle support assembly (200) . The needle support assembly (200) holds the biopsy needle (210) and manipulates the biopsy needle (210) in response to received control signals. A needle simulator having an input device generates the control signals in response to manipulation of the input device by an operator. The operator, in turn, receives feedback from the needle simulator in accordance with forces experienced by the biopsy needle (210) . In a preferred embodiment, the feedback received by the operator includes tactile sensations experienced by the operator as he manipulates the input device. The tactile sensations mimic those the operator would have received had he directly manipulated the biopsy needle (210). Optionally, a curved needle guide is employed to restrict the biopsy needle's progression longitudinally therethrough.
摘要:
A needle biopsy system (10) includes a biopsy needle (210) , and a needle support assembly (200) . The needle support assembly (200) holds the biopsy needle (210) and manipulates the biopsy needle (210) in response to received control signals. A needle simulator having an input device generates the control signals in response to manipulation of the input device by an operator. The operator, in turn, receives feedback from the needle simulator in accordance with forces experienced by the biopsy needle (210) . In a preferred embodiment, the feedback received by the operator includes tactile sensations experienced by the operator as he manipulates the input device. The tactile sensations mimic those the operator would have received had he directly manipulated the biopsy needle (210). Optionally, a curved needle guide is employed to restrict the biopsy needle's progression longitudinally therethrough.
摘要:
A gradient coil assembly (22) generates substantially linear gradient magnetic fields through an examination region (14) . The gradient coil assembly (22) includes a pair of primary gradient coil sets (22a, 22b) and a pair of shield coil sets (23a, 23b) which are disposed in an overlapping relationship. One gradient coil set is displaced relative to the other gradient coil set such that the mutual inductance between the two is minimized. Preferably, the coil sets (22a, 22b, 23a, 23b) are asymmetric, such that the sweet spot of each coil is displaced from the geometric centre of each coil. One primary gradient coil set (22a) is a high efficiency, high switching speed coil to enhance performance of ultrafast magnetic resonance sequences, while the second primary gradient coil set (22b) is a low efficiency coil which generates a high quality gradient magnetic field, but with slower switching speeds. By displacing one gradient coil set relative to the other, mutual inductance is minimized, which maximizes peak gradient, rise time, and slew rate, while dB/dt levels are minimized. Arranging asymmetric gradient coil sets in an overlapping, phased array reduces coil resistance, which increases duty cycle and reduces heat dissipation to eliminate extra costs for a cooling system.
摘要:
An x-ray tube (20) comprising a cathode (23) and an anode (24) in operative relationship with the cathode (23). The anode (24) is mounted on a stem (32). The x-ray tube includes at least one bearing (58) rotatably receiving the stem (32). The at least one bearing (58) has an outer bearing race (66) in an outer race member, an inner bearing race (62) and a plurality of bearing members (64) operatively disposed between the inner and outer bearing races. The x-ray tube (20) also includes an evacuated envelope (78) which encloses the tube components and receives the outer race member of the at least one bearing (58) in thermally conductive contact along an inner surface (79).
摘要:
An x-ray source (30) transmits a beam of x-rays through an examination region (E). A receiver (28), in an initial spatial orientation relative to the source (30), receives the beam and generates a view of image data indicative of the intensity of the beam received. A sensor such as an accelerometer detects motion in a selected portion of a mechanical structure (M) supporting the source (30) and the receiver (28). Upon detection of motion, the sensor generates a motion signal. In one embodiment, a first accelerometer (40) is associated with the receiver (28) and a second accelerometer (42) is associated with the source (30). A position calculator mathematically calculates a position of both the source and receiver based on the acceleration data generated by the accelerometers. An image reconstruction processor receives the relative position data, electronically corrects for any misalignment or change in beam travel distance, and reconstructs the views into a volumetric image representation. In another embodiment, a processor compares the detected motion with a database loaded with an empirically determined vibration model. Based on this comparison the processor (110) then generates a cancellation signal, which controls an electromechanical actuator (106) which imparts an offsetting force or motion to the mechanical structure.
摘要:
A gradient coil assembly generates substantially linear magnetic gradients across the central portion of an examination region. The gradient coil assembly includes primary x, y, and z-gradient coils which generate a gradient magnetic field (90) having a non-zero first derivative in and adjacent the examination region. Preferably, the gradient coil assembly includes secondary, shielding x, y, and z coils which generate a magnetic field which substantially cancels, in an area outside a region defined by the shielding coils, a fringe magnetic field generated by the primary gradient coils. The existence of a non-zero first derivative in and adjacent the examination region eliminates aliasing effects attributable to the non-unique gradient field values on either side of a rollover point (82) . The non-unique values of the gradient magnetic field adjacent the rollover point caused structure near the rollover point to overlay each other. The unique non-linearity of the present gradient (90) adjacent the edges expands (magnifies) the image adjacent the edges. Because the expansion is unique, distortions at the edges are readily and accurately mapped back to linear.
摘要:
A computerized tomography system includes a stationary section ( A ) and a rotating section electrically linked by at least one interconnecting slip ring ( E ). On one side the slip ring ( E ) is configured as a series of electrically conductive segments separated by non-conductive interruptions. On the other side a like number of transmitters is in selective electrical contact with the conductive segments depending on a position of the rotating frame. Also included is a de-multiplexer which takes image data from the plurality of receivers and rearranges the image data in a determined sequence. Also provided is an angular encoder for providing angular displacement signals to the de-multiplexer for assistance in reconstructing the data channels in the determined sequence.
摘要:
A magnetic resonance imaging machine includes a toroidal vacuum dewer (24) which contains a superconducting magnet (10). A radio frequency coil (32) is mounted within a cylindrical bore (26) of the vacuum dewer. A cylindrical, dielectric former (46) supports an RF shield (34), a z-gradient coil (50), an x-gradient coil (52), and a y-gradient coil (54). The x and y-gradient coils are each composed of four like spiral coil constructions. A metallic layer is cut with cut lines (64) to define a generally spiral coil winding pattern. In a high current density region (68) in which the coil windings are narrower than a preselected width, the cut lines (76) are thinner. In lower current density regions (70), the cut lines (78) are thicker. In lower current density regions, two cut lines are defined between adjacent coil windings such that the coil windings are limited to a maximum width. Conductive islands (80) defined in the lower current density areas which are large enough to support detrimental eddy currents are preferably removed or at least modified such that their ability to support detrimental eddy currents is curtailed.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to an MRI apparatus including a main magnet that generates a substantially uniform temporally constant main magnetic field, Bo, through an examination region wherein an object being imaged is positioned. A magnetic gradient generator produces magnetic gradients in the main magnetic field across the examination region. A transmission system includes an RF transmitter that drives an RF coil which is proximate to the examination region. A sequence control manipulates the magnetic gradient generator and the transmission system to produce an MRI pulse sequence. The MRI pulse sequence induces an initial set of contiguous spin echoes (62) and a subsequent set of gradient echoes (64) which stem from the object. A reception system includes a receiver that receives and demodulates the spin and gradient echoes. Ultimately, a reconstruction processor reconstructs an image of the object from data collected via the reception system, and an output device produces a human viewable rendering of the image.