Apparatus and method for in-vivo fat and iron content measurement

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring liver fat content and / or iron content non-invasively in vivo using unilateral NMR technology is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a unilateral NMR probe positioned against or in the proximity of the body. The probe generates static and RF magnetic fields to measure NMR signals at selected depths into the body. The apparatus further comprises a unilateral magnet and a unilateral antenna placed between a magnet and the body or around the magnet. The unilateral antenna is used to attain NMR signals. The measurement of NMR signals at a single position with a single frequency determines fat content on a specific volume inside the liver. The measurement of NMR signals at a single position with two or more frequencies determines iron content on a specific volume inside the liver.

Description

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS[0001]The present disclosure claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62 / 456,164 filed on Feb. 8, 2017, the disclosure of which is provided therewith.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low cost, compact Nuclear Magnetic Resonance diagnostic device for measuring in-vivo and non-invasively the fat and / or iron content in organs in the human body such as liver.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0003]Liver fat and iron content may be measured accurately using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods. With conventional MRI methods, the fat and iron content is measured by looking at selected pixels in the liver. With NMR spectroscopy and MRI spectroscopy (MRIS), the fat signals may be discriminated from signals from surrounding tissues based on a proton spectrum. Protons are abundant in both, fat (triglyceride...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The apparatus is placed directly on or near by the body in the proximity of the liver or other organs. The apparatus allows collecting NMR signals without having to place the patient inside a costly large magnet (clinical MRI). The apparatus allows early diagnosis and staging of patients with fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome, offering a cost-effective solution for single or periodical monitoring. The apparatus allows clinicians to quickly and easily measure fat and iron content within a person's liver.

Problems solved by technology

Disease recognition is often delayed in these patients, relative to obese patients, leading to more severe complications.

It can cause death from heart failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis, as well as diabetes, endocrine deficiency and joint problems.

It may increase risks of hepatocellular cancer in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and NASH, exacerbate fibrosis in ALD, affect insulin resistance and liver dysfunction in some patients with metabolic syndrome, and contribute to immune dysfunction and heart failure in hemodialysis.

Existing methods to quantify iron overload are ambiguous, invasive, or expensive.

However, these indicators are inherently ambiguous, because they are affected by liver disease, inflammation, hemolysis and other common conditions.

As a result, diagnosing iron overload can be a complicated process that may include genetic tests for hemochromatosis, and integrating multiple clinical signs and serum tests to rule out inflammation, liver disease and other confounding factors.

Liver iron measurements by biopsy or MRI are more direct and less ambiguous, but liver biopsy is invasive, while an MRI scan is expensive, and requires separate appointment at a heavily booked radiology center.

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