Method and apparatus for automatic self-aligning docking of a couch with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner

A docking assembly connected to a movable couch ( 30 ) docks the couch with an imaging apparatus ( 10 ). Couch alignment surfaces ( 72 ) mate with corresponding alignment surfaces ( 64 ) of a connecting region ( 50 ) of the imaging apparatus ( 10 ) to define a docked position of the movable couch (...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors CUMPSON PATRICK T, EVERETT DENNIS K, BIELAWSKI TIMOTHY
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 13.11.2007
Subjects
DIAGNOSIS
HUMAN NECESSITIES
HYGIENE
IDENTIFICATION
MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE
SURGERY
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Summary:A docking assembly connected to a movable couch ( 30 ) docks the couch with an imaging apparatus ( 10 ). Couch alignment surfaces ( 72 ) mate with corresponding alignment surfaces ( 64 ) of a connecting region ( 50 ) of the imaging apparatus ( 10 ) to define a docked position of the movable couch ( 30 ) with respect to the imaging apparatus. A docking sensor ( 160 ) detects the movable couch ( 30 ) approaching the docked position. A latch ( 82 ) mates with the connecting region ( 50 ) of the imaging to apparatus ( 10 ). An actuator ( 130, 154 ) cooperates with the latch ( 82 ) to bias the movable couch ( 30 ) into the docked position responsive to a signal produced by the docking sensor ( 160 ).
Bibliography:Application Number: US20050536466