U.S. patent number RE37,602 [Application Number 09/714,907] was granted by the patent office on 2002-03-26 for patient infusion system for use with mri.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Medrad, Inc.. Invention is credited to Salvatore J. Dedola, Jon E. Manley, Gordon C. Newell, John Stulen, Arthur E. Uber, III, Seid Waddell.
United States Patent |
RE37,602 |
Uber, III , et al. |
March 26, 2002 |
Patient infusion system for use with MRI
Abstract
This invention relates generally to the field of Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems for generating diagnostic images of
a patient's internal organs and more particularly, this invention
relates to improved MRI systems with decreased interference between
the magnetic field used for producing diagnostic images and the
magnetic fields generated by the electric motors used for driving
the pistons of the contrast media injectors. Additionally, the
system employs an improved communication link between an externally
located system controller and the injection head control unit
located within the electromagnetic isolation barrier which defines
the magnetic imaging room.
Inventors: |
Uber, III; Arthur E.
(Pittsburgh, PA), Waddell; Seid (La Grange, KY), Stulen;
John (Pittsburgh, PA), Manley; Jon E. (Frederick,
MD), Dedola; Salvatore J. (New Kensington, PA), Newell;
Gordon C. (Safety Harbor, FL) |
Assignee: |
Medrad, Inc. (Indianapolis,
IN)
|
Family
ID: |
22566519 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/714,907 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
027852 |
Feb 23, 1998 |
01036648 |
Apr 11, 2000 |
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Reissue of: |
158044 |
Nov 26, 1993 |
05494036 |
Feb 27, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/432;
128/DIG.1; 604/131; 604/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
5/007 (20130101); A61M 5/14546 (20130101); G01R
33/28 (20130101); G01R 33/285 (20130101); G01R
33/281 (20130101); G01R 33/283 (20130101); G01R
33/421 (20130101); Y10S 128/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
5/145 (20060101); A61M 5/00 (20060101); A61B
006/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;600/432,410,420
;604/154,131,27,65-67,890.1,134 ;128/DIG.1,DIG.12 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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10550 |
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May 1980 |
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EP |
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105 550 |
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Apr 1984 |
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EP |
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495287 |
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Jul 1986 |
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EP |
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518100 |
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Dec 1992 |
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EP |
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61-155846 |
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Jul 1986 |
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JP |
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1-223943 |
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Sep 1989 |
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JP |
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1-165010 |
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Nov 1989 |
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JP |
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1-303139 |
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Dec 1989 |
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JP |
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5-84296 |
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Apr 1993 |
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JP |
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7-178169 |
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Jul 1995 |
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JP |
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|
Primary Examiner: Casler; Brian L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bradley; Gregory L
Claims
What we claim is: .[.
1. A patient infusion control apparatus for use in a magnetic
resonance imaging apparatus to generate images of a patient, the
patient infusion control apparatus comprising: a) means for
injecting fluid into the patient undergoing a MRI procedure; b) an
electric drive motor and motor control circuitry positioned
remotely from the means for injecting to be substantially
non-reactive with an electromagnetic field of the imaging
apparatus; and, c) a non-rigid drive connection between the
electric drive motor and the means for injecting comprising a
flexible drive shaft..]. .[.
2. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
electric drive motor and motor control circuitry are enclosed
within electromagnetic shielding..]..[.
3. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
patient injection means is adapted to be located in close proximity
to the patient..]..[.
4. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
flexible drive shaft is comprised of hard brass..]..[.
5. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
motor is positioned at least ten to fifteen feet from the patient
injection means..]..[.
6. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
electric drive motor and the motor control circuitry are enclosed
in an electromagnetic shield..]..[.
7. The patient infusion control apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising a rechargeable battery wherein the electric drive motor
receives power from the rechargeable battery..].
8. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising: a) a room
shielded from electromagnetic interference; b) a system controller
located externally of the shielded room; c) a patient infusion
apparatus including infusion apparatus control means for
controlling an infusion operation, the patient infusion apparatus
located within the shielded room; and, d) a fiber optic
communications .Iadd.control .Iaddend.link between the system
controller and the infusion apparatus control means.
9. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising: a) a room
shielded from electromagnetic interference, which includes a
viewing window; b) a system controller external to the shielded
room; c) a patient infusion apparatus within the shielded room and
including infusion apparatus control means for controlling an
infusion operation; and, d) a communicating .Iadd.control
.Iaddend.link between the system controller and the infusion
apparatus control means, .Iadd.the control link adapted to be
substantially non-reactive with the magnetic field of the imaging
system.Iaddend..
10. The patient infusion system of claim 9, wherein the
communications link includes means for transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic radiation through the viewing window.
11. The patient infusion system of claim 9, wherein the
communications link includes means for transmitting and receiving
infrared electromagnetic energy.
12. The patient infusion system of claim 9, wherein the
communications link includes means for transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic energy in the visual range.
13. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system to generate images of a patient, the patient
infusion system comprising: a) a room shielded from electromagnetic
interference by an electromagnetic shield including a viewing
window; b) a system controller located outside the room; c) a
patient infusion apparatus located inside the room including
infusion apparatus control means for controlling an infusion
operation; d) a communications .Iadd.control .Iaddend.link between
the system controller and the infusion apparatus control means,
.Iadd.the control link adapted to be substantially non-reactive
with the magnetic field of the imaging system.Iaddend.; and, e) an
electric drive motor and motor control circuitry separated from the
patient infusion apparatus and a non-rigid drive connection between
the electric drive motor and the patient infusion apparatus
.[.whereby.]. .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.the motor is positioned to be
substantially non-reactive with .[.an electromagnetic.]. .Iadd.the
magnetic .Iaddend.field of the imaging system.
14. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the
communications link comprises an external transceiver located
outside the room and an internal transceiver located inside the
room, both said transceivers communicating electromagnetic energy
through the viewing window in the room.
15. The patient infusion system of claim 14, wherein the
electromagnetic energy communicated between said transceivers is in
the visible light spectrum.
16. The patient infusion system of claim 14, wherein said
electromagnetic energy communicated between said transceivers is in
the infrared spectrum.
17. The patient infusion system of claim 13, further comprising a
rechargeable battery located in the room and connected to the
electric drive motor for providing power to the electric drive
motor.
18. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the electric
drive motor and motor control circuitry are enclosed within the
electromagnetic shield.
19. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the infusion
apparatus control means is adapted to be located at least ten to
fifteen feet from the patient.
20. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the non-rigid
drive connection is comprised of hard brass.
21. The patient infusion system of claim 13, wherein the patient
infusion apparatus is adapted to be located in close proximity to
the patient.
22. .[.A method of patient infusion for use with a magnetic
resonance imaging system, the method comprising the steps of: a)
providing patient infusion apparatus having a patient infusion
apparatus controller and means operable to inject fluid into a
patient; b) positioning the patient infusion apparatus controller
away from the patient infusion apparatus to prevent interference in
the image, the infusion apparatus controller including at least one
electric motor and motor control circuitry; and c) operably
connecting the electric motor for controlling the patient infusion
apparatus to the patient infusion apparatus with a non-rigid drive
connection, the electric motor operating the patient infusion
apparatus to infuse media into a patient..]. .Iadd.The patient
infusion system of claim 9 wherein the communications link
comprises a fiber optic line..Iaddend.
23. A method of patient infusion for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a
room shielded from electromagnetic interference including a viewing
window; b) providing a system controller located outside the room;
c) providing a patient infusion apparatus including infusion
apparatus control means for controlling an infusion operation, the
patient infusion apparatus located inside the room; and d)
transmitting control signals from the system controller to the
infusion apparatus control means through the viewing window.
.Iadd.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the control signals are
transmitted via electromagnetic transceivers..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising: an infusion
apparatus positioned within a room shielded from electromagnetic
interference, the infusion apparatus comprising an injector adapted
to accommodate at least two syringes mounted thereon for injecting
fluid into a patient during a magnetic resonance imaging procedure,
the at least two syringes operably engaged with at least one drive
mechanism of the injector; and a system controller positioned
external to the shielded room and in communication with the
infusion apparatus for controlling the operation
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The patient infusion system of claim 25 wherein the infusion
apparatus further comprises an injector control unit positioned
within the shielded room..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The patient infusion system of claim 26 wherein the injector
control unit comprises a battery for powering the
injector..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The patient infusion system of claim 26 wherein the injector
control unit is remotely positioned from the
injector..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The patient infusion system of claim 28 wherein the injector
and the injector control unit are connected by a non-rigid drive
connection..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. The patient infusion system of claim 25 wherein the infusion
apparatus and the system controller communicate with each other by
means of a communication link disposed
therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. The patient infusion system of claim 30 wherein the
communication link comprises a fiber optic line..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. The patient infusion system of claim 30 wherein the
communication link comprises means for transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic radiation through a window in the shielded
room..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising: an infusion
apparatus positioned within a room shielded from electromagnetic
interference, the infusion apparatus comprising an injector for
injecting fluid into a patient during a magnetic resonance imaging
procedure; a system controller positioned external to the shielded
room; and a communication control link between the infusion
apparatus and the system controller for controlling the operation
of the infusion system, the control link adapted to be
substantially non-reactive with the magnetic field of the imaging
system..Iaddend..Iadd.
34. The patient infusion system of claim 33, further comprising at
least one battery for powering the infusion
apparatus..Iaddend..Iadd.
35. The patient infusion system of claim 34 wherein the system
controller comprises a battery charger for recharging the at least
one battery..Iaddend..Iadd.
36. The patient infusion system of claim 33 wherein the injector is
adapted to accommodate at least two syringes mounted
thereon..Iaddend..Iadd.
37. A method of infusing a patient with fluid during a magnetic
resonance imaging procedure, the method comprising the following
steps: providing an injector adapted to accommodate at least two
syringes mounted thereon for injecting fluid into a patient during
a magnetic resonance imaging procedure, the at least two syringes
operably engaged with at least one drive mechanism of the injector,
the injector positioned adjacent to the patient within a room
shielded from electromagnetic interference; injecting fluid
contained within the at least two syringes into the patient; and
generating magnetic resonance images of the
patient..Iaddend..Iadd.
38. A method of patient infusion for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the method comprising the following steps:
providing a room shielded from electromagnetic interference;
providing a system controller positioned external to the shielded
room; providing an infusion apparatus positioned within the
shielded room; and transmitting control signals via a communication
link between the system controller and the infusion apparatus, the
control signals adapted to be substantially non-reactive with the
magnetic field of the imaging system..Iaddend..Iadd.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein the communication link comprises
a fiber optic line..Iaddend..Iadd.
40. The method of claim 38 wherein the communication link comprises
electromagnetic transceivers that transmit the control signals
through a window in the shielded room..Iaddend..Iadd.
41. A patient infusion system for use with a magnetic resonance
imaging system, the patient infusion system comprising: a patient
infusion apparatus within a room shielded from electromagnetic
interference including a viewing window; a system controller
external to the shielded room; and a communicating control link
between the system controller and the infusion apparatus, the
control link comprising means for transmitting and receiving
electromagnetic energy through the viewing
window..Iaddend..Iadd.
42. The system of claim 41 wherein the electromagnetic energy is in
the visible light spectrum..Iaddend..Iadd.
43. The system of claim 41 wherein the electromagnetic energy is in
the infrared spectrum..Iaddend..Iadd.
44. The system of claim 41 wherein the electromagnetic energy
comprises electromagnetic radiation..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) systems for generating diagnostic images of a
patient's internal organs and more particularly, this invention
relates to improved MRI systems exhibiting decreased interference
between the magnetic field used for producing diagnostic images and
spurious magnetic fields created by ancillary equipment, such as
the electric motors used for driving the pistons of the contrast
media injectors. Additionally, the system employs an improved
communication link between an externally located system controller
and the injection head control unit which is located within the
electromagnetic isolation barrier of the magnetic imaging
suite.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has become recognized that MRI systems require isolation from
external sources of electromagnetic fields, if optimum image
quality is to be obtained from MRI diagnostic procedures.
Conventional MRI systems have typically employed some form of
electromagnetic isolation chamber which is generally a room
enclosed by copper sheeting or conductive mesh material that
isolates the room from undesirable sources of electromagnetic
radiation and the electromagnetic noise inherent in the
atmosphere.
In order to realize the full benefit of the shielded room, these
systems employ a controller for the contrast media injector portion
of the system which is isolated from the media injector. Such
isolation is effected to prevent undesirable electromagnetic
radiation generated by the system controller from interfering with
the signals used to create the magnetic resonance images.
The external, isolated location of the system controller creates
various problems associated with the installation and operation of
these systems. One such problem is the need to provide a
communications link between the externally located controller and
the contrast media injectors, without introducing extraneous
electromagnetic radiation. That is, there is a need to provide
electrical power supply lines for operation of the contrast media
injectors and the injector control circuitry while maintaining the
integrity of the electromagnetic shield.
Previous attempts to solve these problems included drilling holes
in the wall of the electromagnetic shield for inserting the
necessary lines or, alternatively, laying the lines under a
shielded floor of the imaging room. These alternatives have proven
to be less than optimum, since spurious radiation arose from the
presence of the various supply cables within the shielded imaging
suite. Additionally, MRI systems which employed these solutions
required substantially site dedication and were therefore not very
portable.
Another problem associated with conventional magnetic resonance
imaging systems is the interference which occurs between the high
power magnetic field used for generating the magnetic resonance
image and the magnetic fields created by the electric motors which
control the operation of the contrast media injection heads. The
magnetic field generated by the magnet of the magnetic resonance
imaging system is extremely powerful and adversely affects the
operation of the electric motors used in the injector head.
Additionally, operation of the electric motors in close proximity
to the magnetic field used to generate the magnetic resonance image
also has an adverse impact on the quality of the resulting
image.
In conventional MRI systems, the injection head unit is located
adjacent to the patient being examined and the electric motors
associated with the injection syringes are directly connected to
the syringe pistons. Characteristically, the syringes and the drive
motors have been mounted on the injection head unit. The close
proximity of the electric motors to the magnetic field used for
generating the magnetic resonance image typically resulted in a
decrease in motor performance and the ability to control the
electric motors used in the injector heads, as well as an overall
decrease in system performance.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved magnetic resonance imaging contrast media delivery system
having decreased interference between the magnetic field used to
obtain the magnetic resonance image and the magnetic fields created
by ancillary equipment.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an MRI system
which minimizes the interference between fields created by the
electric motors used to drive the contrast media injection plungers
and the magnetic field used to generate the magnetic resonance
image.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an MRI
contrast media injection system having an improved communication
link between the system controller and the injection control
unit.
Numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following summary, drawings and detailed
description of the invention and its preferred embodiment; in
which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram outlining the functional design of the
system; and,
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the system of the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises an improved magnetic resonance imaging
system which decreases the amount of electromagnetic interference
that has heretofore been found within a MRI isolation suite while
increasing the portability and ease of system installation. The
invention reduces deleterious interaction between the imaging
magnetic field and the magnetic field generated by the electric
motors which control and operate contrast media injectors.
The system includes a master controller located externally of the
shielded imaging room within which a contrast media injection head
and a separate injection control unit are located. The system
controller communicates with the head control unit via external and
internal transceivers which form a communications link for
traversing the electromagnetic isolation barrier of the imaging
room.
In the preferred embodiment, this communication link is made
through a window in the isolation room barrier. These windows are
typically in the form of a glass laminate containing a conductive
wire mesh, or alternatively, a window that is coated with a thin
sheet of conductive material such as gold to maintain the shielding
characteristics of the isolation room. The communications link
consists of electromagnetic transceivers which operate in a
frequency range which permeates the window while maintaining the
integrity of the isolation barrier. Infrared or electromagnetic
energy in the visual range provide the best results. Alternatively,
a fiberoptic communication link can be used to provide the
communication link, since fiberoptics do not create electromagnetic
radiation.
The present invention also incorporates a contrast media injection
unit located within the shielded room which comprises separate
contrast media injector head and injection head control unit. The
contrast media injection head, and specifically the syringe pistons
are located in close proximity to the patient and consequently are
located within the powerful magnetic field used to generate the
magnetic resonance image. The head control unit which controls
operation of the injector head is located from 10-15 feet away from
the injector head control unit. The head control unit incorporates
electric motors to control and to operate the pistons of syringes
used for the injection of patients. A non-rigid operating drive
connects the electric motors and control unit to the syringe
pistons located on the injection head. In a preferred form, the
drive connection can be by way of flexible shafts. Each flexible
drive shaft forms a mechanical link between an electric motor
located on the head control unit and a piston of the syringes on
the injector head. Alternatively, a hydraulic system could be used
to control the piston of the injector head. In the preferred
embodiment, the flexible drive shaft is manufactured from a
non-ferrous metal such as hard brass. The distancing of the head
control unit and drive motors from the injector head decreases the
adverse effects that the imaging magnetic field has on the electric
motors of the injectors and conversely, the adverse affects of
spurious electromagnetic radiation arising from operating of the
electric motors used to control and operate the contrast media
injectors is also reduced significantly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an improved magnetic resonance imaging system
according to the present invention and is shown generally at 10.
The MRI system includes a system controller 12 which incorporates a
computer 14 and a battery charging unit 16. The system controller
12 is located externally of the imaging room 17, the imaging room
being shielded from electromagnetic interference by a shield 18.
Isolation can be achieved by completely enclosing the room with
copper sheet material or some other suitable, conductive layer such
as wire mesh. Communication line 20, connects the system controller
12 with an external infrared/optical communications transceiver 22.
The shielded imaging room 17 also incorporates a patient viewing
window 24 in the shield 18 which allows an observer to view the
room without breaching the electromagnetic shield 18. The window 24
can be formed by sandwiching a wire mesh material (not shown)
between sheets of glass or coating the window with a thin coating
of conductive material such as gold (not shown) to maintain the
continuity of the electromagnetic shield 18.
An infrared/optical communications transceiver 26 is positioned
internally of the imaging room 17 at the viewing window 24 opposite
the external communications transceiver 22 such that the internal
and external communications transceivers communicate with each
other through the viewing window with no breach of the
electromagnetic shield. A communications link 28 located within the
shielded area connects the internal infrared/optical transceiver
with a contrast media injection control unit 30. The injection
control unit 30 is powered advantageously by rechargeable battery
32. The injection control unit 30 also incorporates control
circuitry which controls electric motors 35, 36 which are also
located within the injection control unit. The injection control
unit is contained within an electromagnetic shield 37 to prevent
the undesired electromagnetic radiation generated by the electric
motors from interfering with the magnetic field used to generate
the magnetic resonance image.
The injection control unit 30 is separated from the injection head
unit 38 by as great a distance as possible. In the preferred
embodiment, this is typically ten to fifteen feet. The injection
head unit must be located in close proximity to the patient in
order to decrease the distance that the contrast media fluid must
travel from the contrast media injectors. The injection head unit
38 includes contrast media injection syringe and piston units 40,
42. The syringes 40, 42 are connected to the electric motors in the
injection control unit by flexible mechanical drive shafts 44, 46,
respectively. The drive shafts are made from a nonferrous metal
such as hard brass.
The separation of the electric motors from the injection head, as
well as the additional electromagnetic shielding, results in
improved system performance and overall resulting image quality.
Additionally, the use of an infrared/optical communications link
results in a system which is both portable and easy to use.
* * * * *