Patent US5577504A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5577504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetic resonance apparatus
Assignee: Marconi Caswell Ltd
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Filing: 1994-09-19
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Granted: 1996-11-26
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Expires: 2014-09-19
Abstract
Abstract In a magnetic resonance apparatus including an active noise reduction arrangement (9, 49, 51, 53) for use by a patient (5) undergoing examination in the apparatus the transducers (25, 31) of the arrangement are non-magnetic, e.g. are of the electret, piezoelectric or condenser type, and have no parts of ferromagnetic material.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Salloway
- 👤 David J. Gilderdale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; G01R33/283; G01R33/38; G01R33/385; G01R33/3854; G01R33/32; G01R33/36; G01R33/3621; G01R33/42; G01R33/422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A magnetic resonance apparatus for examining a patient, comprising: a magnet means for producing a magnetic field in a region in which the patient is positioned during an examination, and for generating noise heard by the patient during the examination as a result of operation of said magnet means; and an active noise reduction means for reducing the noise heard by the patient, including at least one first transducer in said region, and a source of electrical signals including at least one second transducer in said region, for supplying to said at least one first transducer an electrical signal to cause said at least one first transducer to produce in said region sound waves which reduce the noise heard by the patient during the examination as a result of the operation of said magnet means, said transducers being non-magnetic transducers, said at least one first transducer being a piezoelectric loudspeaker including a film of piezoelectric plastics material having two main surfaces, and carrying an electrode on each main surface, and being supported within an enclosure in a domed shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A magnetic resonance apparatus for examining a patient, comprising: a magnet means for producing a magnetic field in a region in which the patient is positioned during an examination, and for generating noise heard by the patient during the examination as a result of operation of said magnet means; and an active noise reduction means for reducing the noise heard by the patient, including at least one first transducer in said region, and a source of electrical signals including at least one second transducer in said region, for supplying to said at least one first transducer an electrical signal to cause said at least one first transducer to produce in said region sound waves which reduce the noise heard by the patient during the examination as a result of the operation of said magnet means, said transducers being non-magnetic transducers, said at least one first transducer being a piezoelectric loudspeaker including a film of piezoelectric plastics material having two main surfaces, and carrying an electrode on each main surface, and being supported within an enclosure in a domed shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transducers are incorporated in a headset worn by the patient during the examination, said headset being substantially formed of non-ferromagnetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said transducers includes an electrode having a number of slots which divide the electrode into a plurality of electrically connected strip portions, thereby to reduce a circulation of eddy currents in the electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, including means for applying a radio frequency (RF) field having a frequency to said region, and wherein at least one of said transducers has a lead which is grounded to signals at the frequency of said RF field at a distance along the lead from said at least one of said transducers equal to a quarter of a wavelength at said RF field frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, including a filter tuned to said RF field frequency connected between said lead and ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said lead has at least two conductors each of which is separately grounded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said lead has a screen which is grounded separately from said conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said lead is grounded to a virtual earth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said virtual earth comprises an open circuit terminated line of length equal to a quarter of a wavelength at said RF field frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said distance along the lead is equal to an odd multiple of said quarter of said wavelength at said RF field frequency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said distance along the lead is equal to an odd multiple of said quarter of said wavelength at said RF field frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said transducer is a selected one from a group consisting of an electret, a condenser and a piezoelectric type transducer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |