Mechanical positioner for MRI guided ultrasound therapy system

The present invention pertains to a mechanical positioning system and more particularly, to a positioning system for an ultrasonic therapy device operating under Magnetic Resonance Imaging guidance. An ultrasound therapy system utilizes a mechanical positioning assembly to locate and aim an ultrason...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Yehezkeli, Oded, Freundlich, David, Magen, Nitzan, Marantz, Carlos, Medan, Yoav, Vitek, Skuki, Weinreb, Avi
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 24.06.2003
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Summary:The present invention pertains to a mechanical positioning system and more particularly, to a positioning system for an ultrasonic therapy device operating under Magnetic Resonance Imaging guidance. An ultrasound therapy system utilizes a mechanical positioning assembly to locate and aim an ultrasonic transducer. The positioner provides for roll and pitch control as well as control in the lateral and longitudinal directions. The positioner uses piezo-electric vibrational motors that can effectively operate within the field of an MRI system without interfering with its operation. The motors are capable of providing a breaking force to the drive shafts while de-energized and thus aid in preventing motor slippage or backlash. Since the motors do not affect the operation of an MRI system, the ultrasonic therapy system can be made more compact. Two sets of position encoders are used to align the positioner. Course absolute encoders and fine relative encoders are both coupled to the positioning motors and allow for precise control over the position and orientation of the ultrasonic transducer.