US5432449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging systems
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1993-02-25
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Granted: 1995-07-11
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Expires: 2013-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A fixture for testing a magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a mounting plate for positioning the fixture within the system. The mounting plate has a plurality of apertures each of which being adapted to receive a test coil. The test coil includes a housing having a section that can fit within each mounting plate aperture and a receptor for holding a test substance. A coil with a plurality of turns of a conductor is located with the housing and an electrically conductive shield extends around the coil. One or more nestable spacer modules are provided to fit with a mounting plate aperture and receive the test coil to maintain the test coil a defined distance from the mounting plate.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Ferut
- 👤 Kenneth W. Belt
- 👤 Phillip E. Steen
- 👤 Johnny E. Parham, III
- 👤 John A. Wolak
- 👤 Howard R. Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A test fixture for a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a mounting plate for positioning within the magnetic resonance imaging system and having a plurality of apertures; a test coil assembly including: (a) a housing having a section that can fit securely within any one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate, and having a receptor for holding a test substance, (b) a coil having a plurality of turns of a conductor and located with said housing, and (c) an electrically conductive shield extending substantially around said coil within said housing and connected to ground potential; and a first spacer module having a opening for receiving the section of said housing and having a portion that can fit within any one of the plurality of apertures to hold said test coil a defined distance from said mounting plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A test fixture for a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a mounting plate for positioning within the magnetic resonance imaging system and having a plurality of apertures; a test coil assembly including: (a) a housing having a section that can fit securely within any one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate, and having a receptor for holding a test substance, (b) a coil having a plurality of turns of a conductor and located with said housing, and (c) an electrically conductive shield extending substantially around said coil within said housing and connected to ground potential; and a first spacer module having a opening for receiving the section of said housing and having a portion that can fit within any one of the plurality of apertures to hold said test coil a defined distance from said mounting plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing further includes a locking mechanism for fixedly holding the section within one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 1 wherein said spacer module further includes a locking mechanism for fixedly holding the portion within one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 1 wherein housing includes an aperture adapted to receive one of the section of another housing and the portion of said spacer module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of other spacer modules each one having an opening for receiving part of either said housing or another spacer module, and having a portion which can fit within any one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate and which can fit within an opening of another spacer module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnet assembly for establishing orthogonal electromagnetic field gradients about an isocenter within the magnet assembly; a test fixture comprising: a mounting plate for positioning at a reference location within the magnet assembly, and having a plurality of apertures; a test coil assembly including: (a) a housing that can securely engage any one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate to hold said test coil assembly at a defined location with respect to the isocenter when said mounting plate is at the reference location, said housing having a receptor for a test substance, (b) a coil located with said housing and having a plurality of turns of an electrical conductor, (c) an electrically conductive shield extending substantially around said coil within said housing and connected to ground; and a cylindrical spacer module for attachment to an end of said housing and having a portion for placement into one of the apertures in said mounting plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnet assembly for establishing orthogonal electromagnetic field gradients about an isocenter within the magnet assembly; a test fixture comprising: a mounting plate for positioning at a reference location within the magnet assembly, and having a plurality of apertures; a test coil assembly including: (a) a housing that can securely engage any one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate to hold said test coil assembly at a defined location with respect to the isocenter when said mounting plate is at the reference location, said housing having a receptor for a test substance, (b) a coil located with said housing and having a plurality of turns of an electrical conductor, (c) an electrically conductive shield extending substantially around said coil within said housing and connected to ground; and a cylindrical spacer module for attachment to an end of said housing and having a portion for placement into one of the apertures in said mounting plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 6 wherein: said housing comprises a hollow cylindrical body with the receptor mounted across an end of the body; said coil further comprises a hollow cylindrical form about which the electrical conductor is wound, with the form attached to said housing; and said electrically conductive shield comprises a shield form attached to said housing, and an electrically conductive layer attached to a surface of the shield form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 6 wherein the receptor has an aperture that receives a vial containing the test substance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises a locking mechanism which engages said mounting plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The test fixture as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second spacer module having an opening for receiving part of either said housing or said first spacer module, and having a portion which can fit within any one of the plurality of apertures in said mounting plate and which can fit within the opening of said first spacer module.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-10 | 1999-01-09 | 1999-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-10 | 2003-01-09 | 2003-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-10 | 2007-01-09 | 2007-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |