Removable electromagnetic shielding device for magnetic nuclear

&
(19)
(11)
EP 1 895 316 B1
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
(12)
(45) Date of publication and mention
(51) Int Cl.:
G01R 33/422 (2006.01)
of the grant of the patent:
28.10.2009 Bulletin 2009/44
(21) Application number: 06120018.4
(22) Date of filing: 01.09.2006
(54) Removable electromagnetic shielding device for magnetic nuclear magnetic resonance apparati
and method for making the same
Abnehmbare elektromagnetische Schutzvorrichtung für magnetische nukleare Magnetresonanzgeräte
und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung
Dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible pour appareils à résonance magnétique nucléaire
et procédé de fabrication de celui-ci
(74) Representative: Karaghiosoff, Giorgio
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI
SK TR
Alessandro
Studio Karaghiosoff e Frizzi S.r.l.
Via F. Baracca 1R 4° piano
17100 Savona (IT)
(43) Date of publication of application:
05.03.2008 Bulletin 2008/10
(73) Proprietor: Esaote S.p.A.
20100 Milano (IT)
(72) Inventor: Ginanneschi, Aldo
(56) References cited:
EP-A1- 0 067 933
EP-A2- 0 825 450
JP-A- 8 252 233
JP-A- 62 299 248
US-A- 6 163 240
EP-A2- 0 151 726
WO-A-97/35206
JP-A- 62 207 448
US-A- 5 028 872
EP 1 895 316 B1
I-16159, Genova (IT)
Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).
Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
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EP 1 895 316 B1
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a removable electromagnetic shielding device for MRI apparati having a magnetic structure defining a cavity with at least an opening
for introducing the body or the part thereof under examination, which cavity is surrounded by a shielding element
having an opening coinciding with said at least one opening of the cavity and means fastening the removable device which surround said cavity opening and which
shielding device is electrically connected to the ground,
which removable device:
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is provided at opening/openings of the detection cavity and at least electrically connected thereto;
is flexible and it is cylindrical and/or truncated cone
shaped and it has at least a passage opening for the
body or parts thereof;
may be fastened or compressed at said opening with
a predetermined force against said body parts in
such a way as to close said opening/openings and
generate a low-impedance electrical contact between the body and said device to prevent or reduce
the infiltration of electromagnetic noise from the outside to the inside of said detection cavity,
is made of an inner conductive material layer and an
outer insulating fabric layer.
[0002] In European patent 825 450 a shielding device
of this type is described, i.e. an electromagnetic shielding
device for nuclear magnetic resonance apparati, particularly for apparati intended for imaging specific body
parts. The device has a detection cavity with one opening
for introducing the body part under examination, an electromagnetic shielding structure enclosing transmitting
and receiving coils, and removable shielding elements
electrically connectable to said shielding structure, which
removable elements have the function of reducing the
span of the opening of the detection cavity and so to
prevent or reduce the infiltration of electromagnetic noise
from the outside to the inside of said cavity for acquiring
MRI signals, particularly in apparati wherein the cavity is
a tubular one i.e. it has at least an opening and/or two
opposite coaxial openings, and wherein the rigid shielding element is a tubular element extending from one to
the other one of the opposite openings.
[0003] These removable elements are composed of
sleeves extending the tubular shielding element and can
be compressed with a predetermined force against body
parts under examination at least at one passage opening
for the body part. In order to connect the patient body to
the shield, and thus to the ground, and to neutralize possible electromagnetic noise said sleeves are composed
of a conductive material layer on the inner side and at
the opening contacting the body they have a coulisse
wherein a string is housed for fastening the sleeve
against the body.
[0004] While this device satisfactorily serve its func-
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tion, it has some drawbacks.
[0005] MRI apparati used for imaging parts of the body,
so called dedicated apparati, such as parts of arms or
legs, are structures having small size wherein the detection cavity is defined in its shape substantially by the
shape of the coil of the magnet generating the static field.
In apparati of this type, wherein the generated magnetic
field has a middle low intensity, it is important to reduce
at a minimum infiltrations of electromagnetic noise inside
the cavity itself.
[0006] Moreover in nuclear magnetic resonance image detection apparati for predetermined body parts, a
considerable part of the body remains outside the detection cavity and acts as an antenna, through which electrical variations penetrate up to the detection area of the
cavity, and particularly up to the body part under examination, and so up to the receiving coils.
[0007] The device object of the European patent 825
450 partly solves these problems since the shielding
sleeve disclosed in the text is composed of a single conductive material fabric layer anchored to an outer fabric
insulating layer made of synthetic fiber and to ensure
contact with the body, the sleeve has a simple coulisse
in which a fastening string is made to slide ensuring a
perfectly closed form of the truncated cone-shaped
sleeve but it does not completely solves the problem of
the "antenna effect" performed by the part of the body
that remains outside the apparatus since the electrical
conductivity both of body-sleeve and sleeve-shielding
connections of the apparatus and of the sleeve itself is
relatively low.
[0008] Aim of the present invention is to provide an
electromagnetic shielding device for nuclear magnetic
resonance apparati, particularly for apparati being meant
to detect images of predetermined body parts which,
thanks to simple and cheap expedients, effectively reduce or further eliminate the penetration of electromagnetic pulses inside the cavity detecting and acquiring MRI
images through the patient body placed partly inside the
partly outside said scanner.
[0009] The device object of the present invention can
be easily used by people not skilled in the biomedical
field and it is a shielding structure that is easy and comfortable to be used during operations for assembling and
disassembling parts of the MRI apparatus that have to
be associated to the detection cavity.
[0010] Moreover since the imaging can require the patient to remain in close contact with the apparatus, the
device object of the present invention at the same time
is comfortable, non-traumatic and visually reassuring for
the patient.
[0011] According to the invention, an MRI apparatus
comprising an removable electromagnetic shielding device is provided as defined in claim 1.
[0012] Said device further comprises at least one, preferably two, additional inner electrically conductive material layers overlapped to the first inner electrically conductive material layer.
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[0013] Moreover, the removable device may be compressed along a band contacting the limb having a predetermined length. Particularly in order to improve the
electrical contact between the body and the device, at
least at a passage opening for a body part there is provided an annular band contacting the inner electrically
conducting layer of the sleeve against the limb under
examination, which band extends along the edge of the
opening there being provided engaging means thereof
along said band and said band being provided of a predetermined width.
[0014] The band or belt which is fastenable around the
limb has the advantage of offering a larger surface for
direct contact between the skin and the electrically conducting fabric of the device, helping to increase the conducibility between the skin and the sleeve. Moreover the
band, having a length greater than the diameter of the
opening of the bellows sleeve on the side contacting the
limb, allows the sleeve to be adapted to the morphology
of patient limbs and to different sizes. Particularly, the
removable shielding device, in addition to the fact of having such an axial length to keep a certain distance between the opening of the shielding device and the area
detecting images, it has flexible and deformable walls,
that can be partly pleated one upon the other like a bellows and having various conductive fabric layers, for example a copper wire mesh or the like.
[0015] Alternatively, it is also possible to use a metallized fabric, or sheets made of conductive materials, preferably having characteristics of deformability and flexibility, such as, for example, aluminium sheets, or the like.
[0016] To ensure contact with the limb, the shielding
device particularly of a cylindrical and/or truncated cone
shape has the band, allowing the removable electrical
contact between the innermost mesh layer made of electrically conductive material, sliding inside a crown of
loops placed on the outermost side of the sleeve and it
can be attached thereto by means of velcro portions sewn
on the band itself and on outer faces of loops. That ensures a perfectly closed form of the truncated coneshaped sleeve and a progressive fastening with a securing action in the fastening condition very strong since the
belt is locked at various loops depending on the size of
the body part against which the sleeve is fastened.
[0017] On the side being connected to the stationary
shielding element, there are provided means for mechanical/electrical connection made of removable snap coupling elements, such as snap fasteners, made of conductive material, or which are electrically connected, on
the sleeve, to the conductive layer/layers of mesh, whereas in the detection area, they form a crown extending
along the edge of the opening/s of the detection area,
each snap fastener, or other means, being electrically
connected to the corresponding end of the stationary part
of the shield.
[0018] According to a further characteristic as an alternative or in combination with, on the side connected
to the stationary shield, the sleeve may have a coulisse
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with a string or elastic fastening element held therein,
and in this case, the stationary shield ends with an annular flange, having an L-cross section, which projects
out of the apparatus case, and surrounds the opening/s
of the detection cavity and with which the elastic element
engages.
[0019] The combination of the different solutions proposed herein allows to provide an effective shielding
even with detection cavities of apparati having middle
low magnetic field. Particularly the use of various electrically conductive layers held together by perimetral and
transverse seams allows to have a continuous shielding
action between the stationary shielding element and the
removable one.
[0020] In order to improve the electrical contact between the limb and the element for closing the shield on
the open side/s of the detection cavity, i.e. generally between the skin of the patient and said element, it is possible to use electrolytic substances, to be applied to the
skin in the contact area.
[0021] The sleeve object of the present invention is
soft and very extremely adaptable to morphology of limbs
and to various sizes and above all it ensures a high shielding against electromagnetic radiations by means of a better electric connection interface between the patient body
and the sleeve.
[0022] These and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clear from the
following description of some embodiments shown in annexed drawings wherein:
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fig. 1 is an axial sectional view of a nuclear magnetic
resonance image detection apparatus of the type
meant for the analysis of some body parts with the
removable shielding device mounted thereto,
fig.2 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to fig.1, with the sleeve mounted thereto,
fig.3 is a front view of the plane development of the
removable device with the shell wall opened,
fig.4 is a side view of the removable device according
to a configuration like to the one of fig.2,
fig.5 is cross sectional view of the fastening belt inside a loop,
fig.6 is a cross sectional view of the coulisse inside
which a fastening element slides,
fig.7 is a cross sectional view of an eyelet delimiting
ventilation apertures in its positioning condition,
fig.8 is cross sectional view of a snap fastener in its
positioning condition,
fig.9 is cross sectional view of the shell of the sleeve
at the junction line of the two opposite end edges of
the fabric piece.
[0023] Referring to figure 1, a nuclear magnetic resonance image detection apparatus comprises a magnet
for generating a static field, a gradient coil, one or more
coils for transmitting exciting pulses, and one or more
receiving coils. The magnet for generating the static field
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defines, together with the other coils, a detection cavity
5, in which the receiving coil/s are held and into which
the limb to be examined are inserted. In an intermediate
position, between the transmitting coil/s and the gradient
coil, there is provided a shielding element 2 entirely surrounding the detection cavity 5 and it has an opening
coinciding with said at least one opening of the cavity 5.
Said shielding element 2, connected to ground, is provided with means for mechanical removable attachment
and electrical connection between the shielding element
2 and the removable shielding device 1, at the at least
one opening of the cavity 5.
[0024] Said means are a flange 7, having a L-shaped
section, with respect to an axial plane, associated to the
opening of the shielding element 2 coinciding with the at
least one opening of the detection cavity 5. To the flange
7 there can be attached the removable shielding device
1 composed of a tubular sleeve, having a truncated coneshape or cylindrical shape that can be fitted to the morphology of patient limbs and to various sizes due to the
fact that it is composed of a flexible material such as
fabric or the like and/or due to a bellows structure, thus
an opening having sizes that can be changed is possible
for inserting body limbs k with different sizes projecting
out of the detection cavity 5.
[0025] The bellows sleeve 1 acts for reducing the span
of the open side of the cavity 5 to which it is associated,
and, due to the fact of having a predetermined length, it
keeps the position of the opening wherein the part to be
examined is inserted far from the area of the cavity 5 in
which the echoes of nuclear spins are detected.
[0026] The soft and truncated cone-shaped movable
device 1 is provided with fastening means around the
corresponding limb K which projects out of the detection
cavity 5 such that it is possible for said device 1 to be
fastened or compressed against said limb with a predetermined force, in order to close said opening/openings
and to generate a low impedance electrical contact between the limb k and said device 1 preventing or reducing
the infiltration of electromagnetic noise from the outside
to the inside of the detection cavity 5.
[0027] The removable cylindrical device 1, having bellows walls, internally has an electrically conductive material inner layer 101, at least partially made of metal or
metallized wires, particularly copper plated ones and, externally, it is provided with an insulating fabric layer 102,
for example made of synthetic fibers. Particularly the device 1 comprises at least one, preferably two, additional
inner electrically conductive material layers 101 that are
overlapped to the first electrically conductive material inner layer 101. The fabric layers are connected one to the
other both mechanically and/or electrically in any manner
and according to any patterns arranging the mutual contact areas, for example by partial or total gluing and/or
seams along one or more lines. In a preferred embodiment the two or more electrically conductive material layers are in electrical and/or mechanical contact along mechanical connection lines such as seams or the like 103
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estending at least along perimetral edges. Particularly
said mechanical connection lines such as seams or the
like 103 are provided also at intermediate areas or they
pass through intermediate areas of said sleeve 1, thus
being perimetral and transverse seams 103 uniformly arranged on the surface of the sleeve 1.
[0028] At the head end on the side attaching the shielding element 2, opposite to the end associated to the limb
k, the two types of fabric 101, 102 are sewed and/or folded
on themselves in order to make a coulisse or tubular
channel 104 for passing an element, an elastic ring of
the O-ring type, or a string 105 fastening the L-shaped
flange 7 associated to the opening of the shielding element 2 coinciding with the at least one opening of the
detection cavity 5. The coulisse 104 is made by sewing
fabric flaps composing parts of the device 1 and it is made
such that the elastic ring 105 sliding inside it remains on
the inner side of the removable sleeve-like device 1 and
the electrically conductive fabric 101 remains on the outside, thus generating the electrical contact between the
sleeve 1 and the flange 7.
[0029] According to a further characteristic the electrical and mechanical contact between the removable
sleeve device 1 and the flange 7 forming an extension
of the stationary part of the shield is obtained by a crown
of first and/or second parts of snap fasteners 106 made
of electrically conductive material, particularly chromiumplated brass, and they are in a condition of electrical contact with at least an electrically conductive material layer
101 while the shielding element 2 at its opening is provided with a crown of respective first and second parts
of snap fasteners 106 made of electrically conductive
material, particularly chromium-plated brass, and electrically connected to said shielding element 2.
[0030] Advantageously there is provided an electrically conductive fabric band 107, particularly made of a fabric of copper or copper plated wires, extending along the
inner strip of the sleeve wall, by overlapping it, at which
perforations of snap fasteners 106 are provided, in order
to create a thickness at said perforations. Said fabric
band 107 may be advantageously provided in an intermediate position between the insulating fabric layer 102
and the innermost conductive material layer 101 such
that it cannot be seen from the outside. Particularly fig.8
shows the positioning of snap fasteners, particularly
made of chromium-plated brass at holes made on the
surface of the device 1 and on respective perforations
made on the fabric band 107 having a stiffening function.
[0031] The device 1 further has also ventilation apertures 8, allowing air to circulate inside the sleeve 1, thus
preventing an excessive perspiration of the patient.
[0032] Advantageously said ventilation apertures 8
can be in the condition of electrical contact with at least
one of the electrically conductive material layers 101, particularly apertures are delimited by eylets 802, which are
made of an electrically conductive material at least on
the side of the electrically conductive fabric 101.
[0033] As shown in figures, the span of said ventilation
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apertures 8 is closed by a gauze or mesh 801 made also
of electrically conductive material.
[0034] Fig.8 shows the positioning of eylets 802, which
can be made of plastic material, at holes made on the
wall of the sleeve 1.
[0035] In order to improve the electrical contact with
the skin, the end of the sleeve 1 associated to the limb
k has a passage opening surrounded by a fastening belt
4 having a predetermined width and intended to fasten
the innermost conductive material layer 101 of the sleeve
device 1 against the patient limb k along a band of predetermined width such to obtain a better conducibility
between the skin and the device 1, independent from the
physiological conditions of the skin of the patient, thanks
to a large contacting surface between the skin and the
electrically conductive layer of the sleeve.
[0036] The band 4 is kept in place by a crown of spaced
apart loops 3 provided at the opening of the device associated to the limb k. Advantageously at least one, preferably all loops 3 bear on the outer face one of the two
layers or components of a mechanical attaching tape of
the type called Velcro and the fastening belt 4 bears on
the face overlapping the outer side of said loops 3 the
other layer or component of the two layers of the mechanical attaching tape like Velcro. The layer of the mechanical attaching tape extends for at least a part of the
length and of the width of the fastening belt 4 and/or in
a continuous way for the length and width of the fastening
belt 4.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment at least one, preferably all loops 3 on the outer face bear a so called male
Velcro layer and the fastening belt 4 on the face overlapping the outer face of said loops 3 that is on the face
faced towards the insulating layer 102 of the sleeve 1
bears a continuous strip of so called female Velcro. In
order to make easier the closing of the fastening belt 4
and so in order to compress the sleeve 1 against the skin
of the patient there is provided an additional portion of
male Velcro on the outer face of the fastening belt 4 at
the seam of the fastening belt 4 on the sleeve 1. It is
possible to invert portions of Velcro that is to provide female Velcro on loops 3 and on the outer face of the fastening belt 4 and male Velcro on the inner face of the
fastening belt 4.
[0038] In a further embodiment the fastening belt 4 is
made of elastic material.
[0039] The removable electromagnetic shielding device 1 can be manufactured by the following steps:
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cutting fabric layers 102, 101 composing the sleeve
1 made such to produce a multilayer fabric piece
having a predetermined development and intended
to form the shell part of the sleeve 1
printing seam lines on the outer side of the wall of
the piece by serigraphy
printing signs for properly positioning device elements, such as snap fasteners 106 or ventilation apertures 8, by serigraphy
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sewing fabric layers 101, 102 along the junction line
of the shell of the sleeve 1 i.e. along piece edges
oriented parallely with respect to the axial direction
of the sleeve 1 in its finished condition,
sewing the insulating layer 102 and the innermost
electrically conductive layer 101 by perimetral and
transverse seams 103,
sewing on said layers further electrically conductive
layers 101, particularly the second and the third electrically conductive layer 101 by perimetral seams
103,
delimting the tubular channel or coulisse 104 wherein the elastic element 105 is engaged by one or more
seams along the longitudinal edge of the piece,
bordering the piece by sewing a tape along the longitudinal edge along which the coulisse 104 is provided and along the perimetral edge of the opening
of the sleeve 1 that is fastened against the part of
the limb k under examination,
sewing loops 3 engaging the fastening belt 4 provided at the longitudinal edge i.e. along the edge constituting the sleeve opening fastened against the part
of the limb k under examination,
housing the fastening belt 4 in loops 3.
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[0040] The manufacturing of the tubular channel or
coulisse 104 wherein the elastic element 105 is engaged
along a perimetral edge of the opening of the sleeve 1
may occur by overlapping a fabric layer on at least a
further layer of the set of layers composing the sleeve 1
and by at least two seams connecting said layers along
the longitudinal edge of the fabric piece and which seams
are parallel and at a certain distance one with respect to
the other such to delimit the channel on opposite sides.
[0041] It is further possible for the tubular channel or
coulisse 104 to be made along a longitudinal edge of the
fabric piece that is along the edge that will be the sleeve
opening by overlapping the end band of a further fabric
layer on the set of layers 101 and 102 and by subsequently fastening along seams or by folding on itself an
end flap of the set of layers 101 and 102 composing the
sleeve 1 and subsequent sewing.
[0042] Advantageously the fastening belt 4, provided
at the edge composing the sleeve opening that is fastened against the part of the patient limb k under examination, is sewn to the shell of the sleeve 1 at the junction
line of the shell of the sleeve 1 i.e. along sewn edges of
fabric layers 101, 102 oriented parallely with respect to
the axial direction of the sleeve 1 in its finished condition.
[0043] The manufacturing may further comprise the
following steps:
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perforating the shell of the sleeve 1 for making ventilation apertures 8,
positioning eylets 802 at perforations by a fastening
action,
positioning the electrically conductive fabric band
107 at the perimetral edge along which snap fasten-
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ers 106 are provided,
perforating the shell of the sleeve 1 for positioning
snap fasteners 106,
positioning components of snap fasteners 106 by
fastening action,
sewing mechanical fastening band like Velcro or the
like on loops 3 and on the outer and inner face of the
fastening belt 4.
[0044] Particularly the removable device 1 having the
shape of a sleeve with bellows walls is made of a fabric
piece having a specific length and width preferably composed but not limitated thereto of four fabric layers, three
inner electrically conductive fabric layers 101 and an outer insulating fabric layer 102 made of polyamide overlapped one to the other.
[0045] As shown in figure 9 the sleeve 1 is made by
connecting two opposite end edges of the fabric piece
such to form a flexible tubular element and to generate
a mechanical attachment and an electrical connection
along said edges. In order to obtain a good electrical
connection along joined edges the two end bands of the
fabric piece are caused to be brought in an overlapped
position along said edges to be joined in order to make
a contact for all the surface of bands with the inner electrically conductive fabric layer 101 respectively. Subsequently the band is folded at least once, preferably two
or more times, on itself and so said band folded for various
times is attached by sewing it. The folding occurs always
according to the same direction like winding the fabric of
the end band about an axis parallel to said edge. Therefore the fabric of the band wound upon itself is flattened
and locked by sewing it.
[0046] In all the embodiments illustrated and described
in the present invention, electromagnetic noise is removed by connecting the shield to ground, thereby the
electromagnetic pulses picked up by the body of the patient are eliminated.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described and illustrated hereinbefore, but it is limited by
claims; the invention may be greatly varied, especially
as regards construction. Further, for all means illustrated
and described herein, there may be provided an alternative or combined use, in order to meet different needs,
in different areas of the openings of the detection cavity.
- said electromagnetic shielding element (2)
having an opening coinciding with said at least
one opening of the cavity,
- said electromagnetic shielding element (2) being provided with means for removably attaching
and electrically connecting to said removable
electromagnetic shielding device (1), said
means for fastening surrounding said opening
of the cavity (5),
- said electromagnetic shielding element (2) being electrically connected to ground,
- said removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) being provided at said at least one opening of the cavity (5) and being at least electrically
connected to said electromagnetic shielding element (2) at the opening of said shielding element (2);
- said removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) being a flexible tubular sleeve having a
cylindrical and/or truncated cone shape and
having at least one passage opening for the limb
(k) of the patient;
- said removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) comprising means for fastening or compression said at least one passage opening with
a predetermined force against said limb (k) of
the patient in such a way as to close said at least
one opening of the cavity (5) and to generate a
low-impedance electrical contact between the
limb (k) of the patient and said removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) in order to prevent or reduce the infiltration of electromagnetic
noise from the outside to the inside of said cavity
(5),
- said removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) being made of a first inner conductive
material layer (101) and an outer insulating fabric layer (102).
- said removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) comprising at least one, preferably two,
additional inner electrically conductive material
layers (101) overlapped to the first inner electrically conductive material layer (101),
- characterized in that said means for fastening
or compression comprise a fastening belt (4)
adapted to fasten the innermost conductive material layer (101) of the removable electromagnetic shielding device (1) against the limb (k) of
the patient, thereby generating a large contacting surface between the skin of the limb (k) of
the patient and said innermost conductive material layer (101).
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Claims
1.
An MRI apparatus comprising a removable electromagnetic shielding device (1), said MRI apparatus
having a magnetic structure defining a cavity (5) with
at least one opening for introducing a limb (k) of a
patient under examination, said magnetic structure
being for generating a static magnetic field, said cavity (5) being surrounded by an electromagnetic
shielding element (2),
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An MRI apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that electrically conductive material layers
(101) are made of fabric of metal and/or metallized
wires, particularly copper plated ones.
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3.
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An MRI apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the two or more electrically conductive
material layers (101) are in electrical and/or mechanical contact one with the other along mechanical connection lines (103) such as seams extending at least
along perimetral edges.
An MRI apparatus according to claim 3 characterized in that said mechanical/electrical connection
lines (103) are provided also at intermediate areas
or they pass through intermediate areas of said
sleeve.
An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims characterized in that the two or
more electrically conductive material layers (101)
are in a condition of electrical and/or mechanical contact by partial or total gluing.
An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims characterized in that the end of
the removable electromagnetic shielding device associated to the limb (k) has a passage opening provided with a crown of spaced apart loops (3) for engaging and/or sliding the fastening belt (4).
An MRI apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that at least one, preferably all loops (3) bear
on the outer face one of the two layers or components
of a mechanical attaching tape (6) of the type called
Velcro or the like.
An MRI apparatus according to claim 7 characterized in that the fastening belt (4) bears on the face
overlapping the outer side of said loops (3) the other
component of the two components of the mechanical
attaching tape (6) like Velcro or the like.
An MRI apparatus according to claims 7 or 8 characterized in that the layer of the mechanical attaching tape (6) extends for at least a part of the length
and of the width of the fastening belt (4).
10. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims 7-9 characterized in that the layer
of the mechanical attaching tape (6) extends in a
continouous way for the length and width of the fastening belt (4).
11. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims 7-10 characterized in that loops
(3) on the outer face bear a so called male Velcro
layer and the fastening belt (4) on the face overlapping the outer face of said loops (3) that is on the
face faced towards the insulating layer (102) of the
device (1) bears a continuous strip of so called female Velcro and additional portion of male Velcro on
the outer face of the fastening belt (4) at the seam
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of the fastening belt (4) on the device (1) or viceversa.
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12. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims characterized in that the fastening belt (4) is made of elastic material.
13. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims characterized in that on the side
electrically connected to the electromagnetic shielding element (2), opposite to the end associated to
the limb (k), the removable electromagnetic shielding device has means for removably attaching and
electrically connecting said device to said electromagnetic shielding element.
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14. An MRI apparatus according to claim 13 characterized in that said means for removably attaching and
electrically connecting are composed of a tubular
channel or coulisse (104) inside which a fastening
element (105) is engaged.
15. An MRI apparatus according to claim 14 characterized in that said fastening element (105) is an elastic
element, particularly an O-ring type elastic ring, for
fastening about a flange (7), with an L-shaped section with respect to an axial plane, associated to the
opening of the shielding element (2) coinciding with
the at least one opening of the cavity (5).
16. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims 14 or 15 characterized in that
said tubular channel or coulisse (104) is made by
overlapping a fabric layer on at least a further layer
of the set of layers composing the sleeve (1) and by
at least two seams connecting said layers along the
longitudinal edge of the fabric piece and which
seams are parallel and at a certain distance one with
respect to the other such to delimit the channel on
opposite sides.
40
45
50
55
7
17. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims 14-16 characterized in that said
tubular channel or coulisse (104) is made such that
the elastic ring (105) sliding inside it remains on the
inner wall of the removable sleeve like device (1).
18. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims 13-17 characterized in that said
means for removably attaching and electrically connecting are composed of a crown of first and/or second parts of snap fasteners (106) made of electrically
conductive material, particularly chromium-plated
brass, and they are in a condition of electrical contact
with at least an electrically conductive material layer
(101) while the shielding element (2) at its opening
is provided with a crown of respective first and second parts of snap fasteners (106) made of electrically
conductive material, particularly chromium-plated
13
EP 1 895 316 B1
brass, and electrically connected to said shielding
element (2).
19. An MRI apparatus according to claim 18 characterized in that there is provided an electrically conductive fabric band (107), particularly made of a fabric
of copper or copper plated wires, extending along
the inner strip of the wall of the sleeve (1), by overlapping it, at perforations of snap fasteners (106), in
order to create a thickness at said perforations.
20. An MRI apparatus according to claim 19 characterized in that said fabric band (107) is positioned at
least between the outer insulating fabric layer (102)
and at least a further layer of the removable electromagnetic shielding device (1).
21. An MRI apparatus according to one or more of the
preceding claims characterized in that there are
provided one or more ventilation apertures (8) on the
surface of said removable electromagnetic shielding
device (1) such to allow the air to circulate inside the
removable electromagnetic shielding device (1).
elektrischen Verbinden mit der abnehmbaren
elektromagnetischen Schutzvorrichtung (1) versehen ist, wobei die Mittel zum Befestigen die
Öffnung des Hohlraums (5) umgeben,
- wobei das elektromagnetische Schutzelement
(2) elektrisch mit Erde verbunden ist,
- wobei die abnehmbare elektromagnetische
Schutzvorrichtung (1) an der zumindest einen
Öffnung des Hohlraums (5) vorgesehen ist und
zumindest elektrisch mit dem elektromagnetischen Schutzelement (2) an der Öffnung des
Schutzelements (2) verbunden ist,
- wobei die abnehmbare elektromagnetische
Schutzvorrichtung (1) eine flexible schlauchförmige Manschette mit einer zylindrischen und/
oder kegelstumpfartigen Form und mit zumindest einer Durchtrittsöffnung für die Gliedmaße
(k) des Patienten ist,
- wobei die abnehmbare elektromagnetische
Schutz-vorrichtung (1) Mittel zum Befestigen
oder Zusammenpressen der zumindest einen
Durchtrittsöffnung mit einer vorbestimmten
Kraft um die Gliedmaße (k) des Patienten umfasst, so dass die zumindest eine Öffnung des
Hohlraums (5) geschlossen wird und ein niederohmiger elektrischer Kontakt zwischen der
Gliedmaße (k) des Patienten und der abnehmbaren elektromagnetischen Schutzvorrichtung
(1) erzeugt wird, um das Eindringen von elektromagnetischem Rauschen von Außen in das
Innere des Hohlraums (5) zu verhindern oder zu
verringern,
- wobei die elektromagnetische Schutzvorrichtung (1) aus einer ersten inneren leitenden Materiallage (101) und einer äußeren isolierenden
Flächenstofflage (102) gefertigt ist,
- wobei die abnehmbare elektromagnetische
Schutzvorrichtung (1) zumindest eine, bevorzugt zwei zusätzliche innere elektrisch leitende
Materiallagen (101) umfasst, die die erste innere
elektrisch leitende Materiallage (101) überdekken,
- dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel
zum Befestigen oder Zusammenpressen einen
Befestigungsgurt (4) umfassen, der dazu ausgelegt ist, die innerste leitende Materiallage
(101) der abnehmbaren elektromagnetischen
Schutzvorrichtung (1) um die Gliedmaße (k) des
Patienten zu befestigen, wodurch eine große
Kontaktfläche zwischen der Haut der Gliedmaße (k) des Patienten und der innersten leitenden
Materiallage (101) hergestellt wird.
5
10
15
20
22. An MRI apparatus according to claim 21 characterized in that said ventilation apertures (8) are in the
condition of electrical contact with at least one of the
electrically conductive material layers (101).
25
23. An MRI apparatus according to claims 21 or 22 characterized in that the span of said ventilation apertures (8) is closed by a gauze or mesh (801) and
delimited by eyelets (802).
30
24. An MRI apparatus according to claim 23 characterized in that eyelets (802) and the gauze (801) are
made of electrically conductive material at least on
the side of the electrically conductive fabric (101).
35
40
Patentansprüche
1.
MRT-Gerät, umfassend eine abnehmbare elektromagnetische Schutzvorrichtung (1), wobei das
MRT-Gerät eine magnetische Struktur aufweist, die
einen Hohlraum (5) mit zumindest einer Öffnung zum
Einführen einer Gliedmaße (k) eines zu untersuchenden Patienten umgrenzt, wobei die magnetische Struktur zur Erzeugung eines statischen magnetischen Feldes vorgesehen ist, wobei der Hohlraum (5) von einem elektromagnetischen Schutzelement (2) umgeben ist,
- wobei das elektromagnetische Schutzelement
(2) eine Öffnung aufweist, die mit der zumindest
einen Öffnung des Hohlraums übereinstimmt,
- wobei das elektromagnetische Schutzelement
(2) mit Mitteln zum abnehmbaren Anbringen und
45
50
2.
55
8
14
MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass elektrisch leitende Materiallagen
(101) aus Flächenstoff aus Metall- und/oder metallisierten Drähten, insbesondere verkupferten Drähten, gefertigt sind.
15
3.
4.
5.
6.
EP 1 895 316 B1
MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zwei oder mehr elektrisch leitenden Materiallagen (101) entlang mechanischer Verbindungslinien (103), zum Beispiel zumindest entlang Umfangskanten verlaufender Nähte, in elektrischem und/oder mechanischem Kontakt miteinander stehen.
MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mechanischen/elektrischen Verbindungslinien (103) auch an Zwischenbereichen
vorgesehen sind oder durch Zwischenbereiche der
Manschette hindurchführen.
MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass sich die zwei oder mehr elektrisch leitenden
Materiallagen (101) durch teilweises oder vollständiges Verkleben in einem Zustand des elektrischen
und/oder mechanischen Kontakts befinden.
MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Ende der abnehmbaren elektromagnetischen Schutzvorrichtung, das der Gliedmaße (k) zugeordnet ist, eine Durchtrittsöffnung aufweist, die mit
einem Kranz zueinander beabstandeter Schlaufen
(3) zum In-Eingriff-Nehmen und/oder Gleitenlassen
des Befestigungsgurts (4) versehen ist.
5
10
8.
9.
MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest eine, bevorzugt alle
Schlaufen (3) auf der äußeren Fläche eine der beiden Lagen oder Komponenten eines mechanischen
Befestigungsbands (6) der als Klettverschluss bezeichneten Art oder dergleichen tragen.
MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Befestigungsgurt (4) auf der Fläche, die die äußere Seite der Schlaufen (3) überdeckt, die andere Komponente der beiden Komponenten des mechanischen Befestigungsbands (6)
wie Klettverschluss oder dergleichen trägt.
MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lage des mechanischen
Befestigungsbands (6) entlang zumindest eines
Teils der Länge und der Breite des Befestigungsgurts (4) verläuft.
12. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Befestigungsgurt (4) aus elastischem Material gefertigt ist.
20
13. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die abnehmbare elektromagnetische Schutzvorrichtung auf der mit dem elektromagnetischen
Schutzelement (2) elektrisch verbundenen Seite gegenüber dem der Gliedmaße (k) zugeordneten Ende
Mittel zum abnehmbaren Anbringen und elektrischen Verbinden der Vorrichtung mit dem elektromagnetischen Schutzelement aufweist.
25
35
40
45
50
10. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche 7 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lage des mechanischen Befestigungsbands (6) durchgehend entlang der Länge
und Breite des Befestigungsgurts (4) verläuft.
zeichnet, dass die Schlaufen (3) auf der äußeren
Fläche eine sogenannte widerhakenbesetzte Klettverschlusslage tragen und der Befestigungsgurt (4)
auf der Fläche, die die äußere Fläche der Schlaufen
(3) überdeckt, das heißt auf der Fläche, die der isolierenden Lage (102) der Vorrichtung (1) zugewandt
ist, einen durchgehenden Streifen einer sogenannten schlaufenbesetzten Klettverschlusslage trägt
und einen zusätzlichen Abschnitt einer widerhakenbesetzten Klettverschlusslage auf der äußeren Fläche des Befestigungsgurts (4) an der Naht des Befestigungsgurts (4) auf der Vorrichtung (1) oder umgekehrt.
15
30
7.
16
55
11. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche 7 bis 10, dadurch gekenn-
9
14. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel zum abnehmbaren Anbringen und elektrischen Verbinden aus einem/r
schlauchförmigen Kanal oder Gleitführung (104) zusammengesetzt sind, in dem/der ein Befestigungselement (105) in Eingriff steht.
15. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Befestigungselement (105) ein
elastisches Element ist, insbesondere ein O-Ringartiger elastischer Ring, zum Befestigen um einen
Flansch (7) mit einem L-förmigen Querschnitt in Bezug auf eine axiale Ebene, welcher der Öffnung des
Schutzelements (2) zugeordnet ist, die mit der zumindest einen Öffnung des Hohlraums (5) übereinstimmt.
16. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche 14 oder 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der/die schlauchförmige Kanal oder
Gleitführung (104) gefertigt ist durch Überdecken zumindest einer weiteren Lage der Gruppe von Lagen,
aus denen die Manschette (1) zusammengesetzt ist,
mit einer Flächenstofflage und durch Verbinden der
Lagen durch zumindest zwei Nähte entlang der
Längskante des Flächenstoffstücks, wobei die Nähte parallel und in einem bestimmten Abstand zueinander angeordnet sind, um den Kanal auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten zu begrenzen.
17
EP 1 895 316 B1
17. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche 14 bis 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der/die schlauchförmige Kanal oder
Gleitführung (104) so gefertigt ist, dass der in seinem/ihrem Inneren gleitende elastische Ring (105)
an der Innenwand der abnehmbaren Manschette
wie Vorrichtung (1) verbleibt.
18. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche 13 bis 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel zum abnehmbaren Anbringen und elektrischen Verbinden aus einem Kranz
aus ersten und/oder zweiten Teilen von aus elektrisch leitendem Material, insbesondere verchromtem Messing, gefertigten Druckknöpfen (106) zusammengesetzt sind, und sie sich in einem Zustand
des elektrischen Kontakts mit zumindest einer elektrisch leitenden Materiallage (101) befinden, während das Schutzelement (2) an seiner Öffnung mit
einem Kranz entsprechender erster und zweiter Teile von aus elektrisch leitendem Material, insbesondere verchromtem Messing, gefertigten und mit dem
Schutzelement (2) elektrisch verbundenen Druckknöpfen (106) versehen ist.
kennzeichnet, dass die Spannweite der Belüftungslöcher (8) durch eine Gaze oder ein Netz (801)
geschlossen und durch Ösen (802) begrenzt ist.
5
Revendications
1.
15
20
30
35
20. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 19, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Flächenstoffband (107) zumindest zwischen der äußeren isolierenden Flächenstofflage (102) und zumindest einer weiteren Lage
der abnehmbaren elektromagnetischen Schutzvorrichtung (1) positioniert ist.
21. MRT-Gerät nach einem oder mehreren der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass auf der Oberfläche der abnehmbaren elektromagnetischen Schutzvorrichtung (1) ein oder mehrere Belüftungslöcher (8) vorgesehen sind, um der
Luft zu ermöglichen, im Inneren der abnehmbaren
elektromagnetischen Schutzvorrichtung (1) zu zirkulieren.
22. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 21, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Belüftungslöcher (8) in dem
Zustand des elektrischen Kontakts mit zumindest einer der elektrisch leitenden Materiallagen (101) befinden.
24. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Ösen (802)und die Gaze (801) zumindest auf der Seite des elektrisch leitenden Flächenstoffs (101) aus elektrisch leitendem Material
gefertigt sind.
10
25
19. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein elektrisch leitendes Flächenstoffband (107) vorgesehen ist, insbesondere gefertigt aus einem Flächenstoff aus Kupfer- oder verkupferten Drähten, das entlang des inneren Streifens
der Wand der Manschette (1) verläuft, indem es an
Perforationen von Druckknöpfen (106) diesen überdeckt, um an den Perforationen eine Dicke zu erzeugen.
18
40
45
50
55
23. MRT-Gerät nach Anspruch 21 oder 22, dadurch ge-
10
Appareil IRM comprenant un dispositif de protection
électromagnétique amovible (1), ledit appareil IRM
ayant une structure magnétique définissant une cavité (5) avec au moins une ouverture pour introduire
un membre (k) d’un patient en train d’être examiné,
ladite structure magnétique étant pour produire un
champ magnétique statique, ladite cavité (5) étant
entourée par un élément de protection électromagnétique (2),
- ledit élément de protection électromagnétique
(2) ayant une ouverture coïncidant avec ladite
au moins une ouverture de la cavité,
- ledit élément de protection électromagnétique
(2) présentant des moyens pour la fixation amovible et la connexion électrique audit dispositif
de protection électromagnétique amovible (1),
lesdits moyens de fixation entourant ladite
ouverture de la cavité (5),
- ledit élément de protection électromagnétique
(2) étant électriquement relié à la masse,
- ledit dispositif de protection électromagnétique
amovible (1) étant réalisé à ladite au moins une
ouverture de la cavité (5) et étant au moins relié
électriquement audit élément de protection électromagnétique (2) à l’ouverture dudit élément de
protection (2);
- ledit dispositif de protection électromagnétique
amovible (1) étant un manchon tubulaire flexible
d’une forme cylindrique et/ou tronconique et
ayant au moins une ouverture de passage pour
le membre (k) du patient;
- ledit dispositif de protection électromagnétique
amovible comprenant des moyens pour la fixation ou compression de ladite au moins une
ouverture de passage avec une force prédéterminée contre ledit membre (k) du patient de manière à fermer ladite au moins une ouverture de
la cavité (5) et à produire un contact électrique
de faible impédance entre le membre (k) du patient et ledit dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible (1) afin de prévenir ou de réduire l’infiltration du bruit électromagnétique de
l’extérieur à l’intérieur de ladite cavité (5),
- ledit dispositif de protection électromagnétique
19
EP 1 895 316 B1
amovible (1) étant formé par une première couche intérieure de matériau conducteur (101) et
une couche d’étoffe isolante extérieure (102),
- ledit dispositif de protection électromagnétique
amovible comprenant au moins une, de préférence deux couches additionnelles intérieures
en matériau électriquement conducteur (101)
recouvrant la première couche intérieure en matériau électriquement conducteur (101),
20
couches ou composants d’un type de fixation mécanique (6) du type appelé Velcro ou analogue.
8.
Appareil IRM selon la revendication 7, caractérisé
en ce que la courroie de fixation (4) porte sur la face
recouvrant le côté externe desdites boucles (3)
l’autre composant des deux composants de la bande
de fixation mécanique (6) comme le Velcro ou analogue.
9.
Appareil IRM selon les revendications 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que la couche de bande de fixation
mécanique (6) s’étend sur au moins une partie de la
longueur et de la largeur de la courroie de fixation (4).
5
10
caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de fixation
ou de compression comprennent une courroie de
fixation (4) apte à fixer la couche la plus intérieure
en matériau conducteur (101) du dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible (1) contre le
membre (k) du patient, en produisant ainsi une grande surface de contact entre la peau du membre (k)
du patient et ladite couche la plus intérieure en matériau conducteur (101).
15
20
2.
3.
4.
Appareil IRM selon la revendication 1, caractérisé
en ce que les couches de matériau électriquement
conductrices (101) sont réalisées en étoffe de métal
et/ou de fil métallique, particulièrement en ceux plaqués cuivre.
Appareil IRM selon la revendication 1, caractérisé
en ce que deux ou plusieurs couches de matériau
électriquement conductrices (101) sont en contact
électrique et/ou mécanique l’une avec l’autre le long
de lignes de connexion mécanique (103) comme des
joints s’étendant au moins le long de bords périmétriques.
Appareil IRM selon la revendication 3, caractérisé
en ce que lesdites lignes de connexion mécanique/
électrique (103) sont réalisées également à des zones intermédiaires ou bien elles passent à travers
des zones intermédiaires dudit manchon.
25
30
35
40
5.
6.
Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que deux
ou plusieurs couches de matériau électriquement
conductrices précitées (101) sont dans un état de
contact électrique et/ou mécanique par collage partiel ou total.
Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l’extrémité du dispositif de protection électromagnétique
amovible (1) associée au membre (k) présente une
ouverture de passage réalisée avec une couronne
de boucles (3) espacés pour la mise en prise avec
et/ou le coulissement de la courroie de fixation (4).
45
50
55
7.
Appareil IRM selon la revendication 6, caractérisé
en ce qu’au moins une, de préférence toutes les
boucles (3) portent sur la face externe une des deux
11
10. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 7 à 9, caractérisé en ce que
la couche de la bande de fixation mécanique (6)
s’étend d’une manière continue sur la longueur et la
largeur de la courroie de fixation (4).
11. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 7 à 10, caractérisé en ce que
les boucles (3) sur la face externe portent une soidisant couche de Velcro mâle et la courroie de fixation (4) sur la face recouvrant la face externe desdites boucles (3), qui se situe sur la face orientée vers
la couche isolante (102) du dispositif (1), porte une
bande continue du soi-disant Velcro femelle et une
portion additionnelle du Velcro mâle sur la face externe de la courroie de fixation (4) à la jonction de la
courroie de fixation (4) sur le dispositif (1) ou vice
versa.
12. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la courroie de fixation (4) est réalisée en matériau élastique.
13. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que sur le
côté électriquement relié à l’élément de protection
électromagnétique (2), opposé à l’extrémité associée au membre (k), le dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible possède des moyens pour
la fixation amovible et la connexion électrique dudit
dispositif audit élément de protection électromagnétique.
14. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 13, caractérisé
en ce que lesdits moyens pour la fixation amovible
et la connexion électrique sont constitués d’un canal
tubulaire ou d’une coulisse (104) à l’intérieur duquel
un élément de fixation (105) est engagé.
15. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 14, caractérisé
en ce que ledit élément de fixation (105) est un élément élastique, en particulier une bague élastique
du type torique, pour la fixation autour d’une bride
21
EP 1 895 316 B1
(7) avec une section en forme de L par rapport à un
plan axial, associé à l’ouverture de l’élément de protection (2) coïncidant avec la au moins une ouverture
de la cavité (5).
22
(8) sur la surface dudit dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible (1) de manière à permettre
à l’air de circuler à l’intérieur du dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible (1).
5
16. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 14 ou 15, caractérisé en ce
que ledit canal tubulaire ou coulisse (104) est réalisé
par l’application d’une couche en étoffe sur au moins
une autre couche de l’ensemble de couches composant le manchon (1) et par au moins deux joints
reliant lesdites couches le long du bord longitudinal
de la pièce d’étoffe, et lesdits joints sont parallèles
et à une certaine distance l’un de l’autre de manière
à délimiter le canal sur des côtés opposés.
17. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 14 à 16, caractérisé en ce que
ledit canal tubulaire ou coulisse (104) est réalisé de
façon que la bague élastique (105) coulissant à l’intérieur de celle-ci reste sur la paroi interne du manchon amovible comme dispositif (1).
18. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 13 à 17, caractérisé en ce que
lesdits moyens pour la fixation amovible et la connexion électrique sont constitués d’une couronne de
premières et/ou deuxièmes parties de boutons pression (106) réalisées en matériau élastiquement conducteur, en particulier en laiton plaqué chrome, et
elles sont dans une condition de contact électrique
avec au moins une couche de matériau électriquement conducteur (101) pendant que l’élément de
protection (2) à son ouverture présente une couronne de premières et deuxièmes parties respectives
de boutons pression (106) en matériau électriquement conducteur, particulièrement en laiton plaqué
chrome et reliées électriquement audit élément de
protection (2).
10
22. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 21, caractérisé
en ce que lesdites ouvertures de ventilation (8) sont
dans l’état du contact électrique avec au moins une
des couches de matériau électriquement conductrices (101).
15
23. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 21 ou 22, caractérisé en ce que l’étendue desdites ouvertures
de ventilation (8) est fermée par une toile métallique
ou maille (801) et délimitée par des oeillets (802).
20
25
30
35
40
19. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 18, caractérisé
en ce qu’il est réalisé une bande d’étoffe électriquement conductrice (107), réalisée particulièrement en
une étoffe de cuivre ou de fils plaqués cuivre, s’étendant le long de la bande intérieure de la paroi du
manchon (1), en la faisant chevaucher, aux perforations des boutons pression (106) pour créer une
épaisseur auxdites perforations.
20. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 19, caractérisé
en ce que ladite bande d’étoffe (107) est positionnée
au moins entre l’autre couche d’étoffe isolante (102)
et au moins une autre couche du dispositif de protection électromagnétique amovible (1).
45
50
55
21. Appareil IRM selon l’une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que sont
réalisées une ou plusieurs ouvertures de ventilation
12
24. Appareil IRM selon la revendication 23, caractérisé
en ce que les oeillets (802) et la toile métallique
(801) sont réalisés en matériau électriquement conducteur au moins sur le côté de l’étoffe électriquement conductrice (101).
EP 1 895 316 B1
13
EP 1 895 316 B1
14
EP 1 895 316 B1
15
EP 1 895 316 B1
16
EP 1 895 316 B1
17
EP 1 895 316 B1
18
EP 1 895 316 B1
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description
•
EP 825450 A [0002] [0007]
19