	US 12,324,656 B2
	Methods and apparatus for patient positioning in magnetic resonance imaging
Anne Michele Nelson, Guilford, CT (US); Christopher Thomas McNulty, Guilford, CT (US); Jeremy Christopher Jordan, Cromwell, CT (US); Michael Stephen Poole, Guilford, CT (US); and Gang Chen, Guilford, CT (US)
Assigned to Hyperfine Operations, Inc., Guilford, CT (US)
Filed by Hyperfine Operations, Inc., Guilford, CT (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/186,293.
Application 18/186,293 is a continuation of application No. 17/551,996, filed on Dec. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,607,148.
Application 17/551,996 is a continuation of application No. 16/516,373, filed on Jul. 19, 2019, granted, now 11,234,610.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/811,361, filed on Feb. 27, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/700,711, filed on Jul. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0301543 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 5/055 (2006.01); A61B 90/14 (2016.01); G01R 33/30 (2006.01); G01R 33/34 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 6/04 (2006.01); G01R 33/483 (2006.01); G01R 33/54 (2006.01)

CPC A61B 5/055 (2013.01) [A61B 90/14 (2016.02); G01R 33/307 (2013.01); G01R 33/34007 (2013.01); A61B 5/70 (2013.01); A61B 6/04 (2013.01); G01R 33/4833 (2013.01); G01R 33/543 (2013.01)]

19 Claims

1. A bridge adapted for attachment to a magnetic resonance imaging system and configured to facilitate positioning a patient within the magnetic resonance imaging system, the bridge comprising:

a support having a surface configured to support at least a portion of the patient, the support being moveable between an up position and a down position, wherein the surface is substantially vertical in the up position and substantially horizontal in the down position;

a hinge configured to allow the support to be moved from the up position to the down position and vice versa; and

a base configured to attach the bridge to the magnetic resonance imaging system;

wherein the surface of the support has a length of between 8 inches and 16 inches.