Patent ID: 7844318
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A patient support device for use with Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatuses, the device comprising: a patient support surface having such a size as to accommodate at least a part of the patient body; at least one receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling a coil adapted to receive signals from anatomic regions upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus, said at least one receptacle being arranged in an area of the patient support surface corresponding to a position of an anatomic region to be imaged, wherein the receptacle for housing and/or removably coupling the coil is formed by a niche or an enclosure with an open upper side extending flush with the patient support surface and wherein the coil is completely embedded inside the receptacle without protruding above the patient support surface; a mattress provided on a top face of the support surface, the mattress having one or more holes therein; a base of each coil has an axial extension for introduction into the respective receptacle through one of the holes in the mattress; and one or more closing members for closing any of the holes in the mattress through a coil axial extension is not extending.