US5153546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open MRI magnet
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1991-06-03
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2011-06-03
Abstract
Abstract In an open MRI magnet, the magnet is capable of being rotated such that a patient can be imaged while either lying down or standing up. The open MRI magnet is rotated about a pivot located upon a pedestal.
Inventors
- 👤 Evangelos T. Laskaris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/38; G01R33/3806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An open MRI magnet which is comprised of: a support means being a pivot connection means; a pair of superconductive coil assemblies substantially located at a distance from each other to provide a gap between said assemblies, said coil assemblies are further comprised of at least two superconductor coils, a support ring means rigidly attached to and spanning said coils, a shell means rigidly attached to said support ring means, and a thermal shield means; and a coil assembly support means rigidly attached to said coil assemblies and having a pivot means such that said pivot means contacts and rotates in said pivot connection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An open MRI magnet which is comprised of: a support means being a pivot connection means; a pair of superconductive coil assemblies substantially located at a distance from each other to provide a gap between said assemblies, said coil assemblies are further comprised of at least two superconductor coils, a support ring means rigidly attached to and spanning said coils, a shell means rigidly attached to said support ring means, and a thermal shield means; and a coil assembly support means rigidly attached to said coil assemblies and having a pivot means such that said pivot means contacts and rotates in said pivot connection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 1, wherein said support means is further comprised of: a pedestal means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 1, wherein said coil assembly support means is further comprised of: a C-shaped structural member means rigidly attached to said shell means; and an envelope means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 1, wherein said pivot means is further comprised of: a bearing means; an envelope means contacting and rotating on said bearing means; a heat conduction means rigidly attached at one end to said thermal shield means and rigidly attached at the other end to a cryocooler; and a vibration adsorption means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 3, wherein said pivot means is further comprised of: a bearing means; said envelope means contacting and rotating on said bearing means; a heat conduction means rigidly attached at one end to said structural member means and rigidly attached at the other end to a cryocooler; and a vibration absorption means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 1, wherein said magnet can be rotated such that a patient can be imaged while either lying down or standing up.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 4, wherein said heat conduction means is further comprised of: at least one tube means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 5, wherein said heat conduction means is further comprised of: at least one tube means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 1, wherein said magnet operates over a range of about 0.3 to 0.5 Tesla with a 30 cm volume having approximately a 30 ppm inhomogeneity or better.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 4, wherein said magnet receives heat from the environment while said magnet is operating such that said heat is conducted along said coils to said ring means to said shell means to said shield means to said heat conduction means and dissipates said heat to a cryocooler.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The open MRI magnet, according to claim 5, wherein said magnet receives heat from the environment while said magnet is operating such that said heat is conducted along said coils to said heat is conducted along said coils to said structural member means to said heat conduction means and dissipate said heat to a cryocooler.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4875485A
Cited
US5008624A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |