US 12,320,875 B2
Coil positioning apparatuses, systems, and methods thereof
Daniel D. Coppens, Avondale, PA (US); Josef Gabelberger, Avondale, PA (US); Andrew Johnson, Avondale, PA (US); and David M. Rabeno, Avondale, PA (US)
Assigned to Qfix Systems, LLC, Avondale, PA (US)
Appl. No. 17/286,663
Filed by Qfix Systems, LLC, Avondale, PA (US)
PCT Filed May 16, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/032630
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 19, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/081123, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 23, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/748,013, filed on Oct. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0369133 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. G01R 33/34 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/055 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 33/34084 (2013.01) [A61B 5/055 (2013.01); A61B 5/704 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A portable head coil apparatus for use with a magnetic resonance imaging system, the portable head coil apparatus being configured for unrestricted movement relative to a patient's head supported by a patient positioning device, the portable head coil apparatus comprising:
a base having a coil array including at least two coil elements, the base being positionable relative to the patient's head to facilitate imaging of the patient's head by the coil array, and the base having a receiving portion defining a receiving surface positionable adjacent the patient positioning device;
an extension movable relative to the base and having a coil array including at least two coil elements, the extension defining an inner surface having a curvature the degree of which is greater than that of the receiving surface of the base, wherein the inner surface of the extension and the receiving surface of the base together at least partially define an imaging region therebetween for receiving the patient's head supported on the patient positioning device, the imaging region extending from a superior end of the portable head coil apparatus to an inferior end of the portable head coil apparatus and being accessible from both the superior end and the inferior end of the portable head coil apparatus;
at least one arm coupled to the base and the extension, the at least one arm being configured to space the base from the extension and to adjust the position of the extension relative to the base between an extended position in which the extension is spaced from the base and at least a portion of the extension is not in contact with the base and an imaging position in which the extension is closer to the base and at least a portion of the extension is not in contact with the base; and
wherein the receiving surface of the base is flat, the curvature of the inner surface of the extension forms a parabolic shape, the at least one arm is releasably coupled to at least one of the extension or the base, such that the extension may be mechanically decoupled from the base, and when the extension is mechanically decoupled from the base, the extension is removable, such that the extension has unrestricted movement.