320 results about "Mri imaging" patented technology

A method for correcting inherent distortions in a CT or MRI imaging process, or distortions arising from excessive patient movement during the scan by means of a registration device inserted into the mouth of the patient at the time the scan is being performed. The registration device incorporates a set of fiducial markers disposed in a predetermined three-dimensional pattern. The exact positions of the fiducial markers are known with respect to each other, thus providing a three-dimensional reference against which the resulting images can be compared. Additionally, a method whereby three-dimensional CT or MRI images taken prior to an operation, are accurately registered and integrated with real-time tracking positional data of the patient's body part and instruments operating thereon. Application is described for the drilling of a patient's jaw for the placement of dental implants.

A method of reducing the effect of object movements along MRI imaging. The method includes: acquiring a sequence of MRI consecutive images of an object; storing on a computer readable medium, for each of the images, at least one parameter p indicating spatial image orientation at which the image was taken; analyzing the sequence of the images for detection of the object movement; and tagging images of at least one movement of the object.

An improved needle assembly is provided. A distal portion of the needle can be formed of a first material which does not interfere with MRI imaging of a tissue receiving port disposed in the distal needle portion. A proximal needle portion can be formed of a second, different material. The proximal needle portion can provide strength and stiffness.

An integrated, multi-modality imaging technique is disclosed. The embodiment described combines a split-magnet MRI system with a digital x-ray system. The two systems are employed together to generate images of a subject in accordance with their individual physics and imaging characteristics. The images may be displaced in real time, such as during a surgical intervention. The images may be registered with one another and combined to form a composite image in which tissues or objects difficult to image in one modality are visible. By appropriately selecting the position of an x-ray source and detector, and by programming a desired corresponding slice for MRI imaging, useful combined images may be obtained and displayed.

The present invention discloses a modular MRI imaging system. The imaging system includes MRI radio-frequency antenna arrays separate from the patient support structure. The antenna arrays are affixed to a thin, flexible film such that they may be located next to the anatomical region of interest. In addition, multiple antenna arrays may be configured in various planar or three-dimensional arrangements to optimize the FOV and SNR. Separate patient support structures are provided that enhance ergonomics and patient stabilization. By removing the antenna from the housing, the support structures may be designed without the constraints of supporting the antenna or the associated electronics. The MRI imaging system further employs a preamplifier module. The preamplifier module houses the preamplifier and much of the other associated circuitry for each of the antennae. The preamplifier module operates to combine the signals from the antenna arrays and pass the signals to the MRI system.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging system, including: an MRI device adapted to image at least a portion of an animal; a photon source; an imaging photon detector that detects photons emitted by the photon source; and an image processor that superimposes the MRI image and the photon detector image. The system also includes one or more polarizers located between the animal and the photon detector.

Microcoils can be used in medical devices to enhance RF response signals and to create fields to enhance imaging capability in MRI imaging systems. An improved microcoil design includes a device to be inserted into a patient comprising a solid body having at least one pair of radially opposed microcoils physically associated with the solid body, each microcoil having an outside microcoil diameter of 6 mm or less, individual windings of each microcoil together defining a geometric plane for each microcoil, and the plane of each microcoil being parallel to the plane of another microcoil in the pair of radially opposed microcoils.

The invention relates to a method of acquiring MRI image data comprising the following steps: performing a 3-dimensional B1 mapping of a first volume using a first voxel size, selecting an MRI protocol, performing the B1-shim in accordance with the MRI protocol, performing the MRI protocol to acquire MRI imaging data of a second volume using a second voxel size, wherein the first voxel size is larger than the second voxel size, wherein the first volume is larger than the second volume, and wherein the second volume is contained within the first volume.

A rectal probe adapted for ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate, comprising: a) an ultrasound imaging probe; b) an MRI probe comprising a first magnetic field source for creating a static magnetic field in an MRI imaging region outside the rectal probe, a second magnetic field source for creating a time-varying magnetic field which excites nuclei in the MRI imaging region, and a receiver for receiving NMR signals from the excited nuclei and generating MRI imaging data indicative thereof; and c) a link joining the ultrasound probe and the MRI probe.

A combined MRI and radiation therapy system has MRI imaging equipment and radiation therapy equipment. The MRI imaging equipment includes a shielded solenoidal magnet including a number of main magnet coils arranged coaxially along an axis, and a shielding arrangement arranged coaxially with the axis, at a greater radius from the axis than the main magnet coils. The radiation therapy equipment includes a LINAC assembly, that includes a linear electron accelerator arranged with an electron beam path parallel to the axis, and electron beam deflection arrangement and a target for generating a beam of therapeutic radiation. The linear electron accelerator is located at a position radially between the main magnet coils and the shielding arrangement.

The subject invention relates to a method for reconstructing a dynamic image series. Embodiments of the subject invention can be considered and/or referred to as a parallel imaging-prior-information imaging (parallel-prior) hybrid method. A specific embodiment can be referred to as k-t GRAPPA. The subject method can involve linear interpolation of data in k-t space. Linear interpolation of missing data in k-t space can exploit the correlation of the acquired data in both k-space and time. Several extra auto-calibration signal (ACS) lines can be acquired in each k-space scan and the correlation of the acquired data can be calculated based on the extra ACS lines. In an embodiment, ACS lines can be calculated based on other acquired data, such that values in an ACS line can be partially acquired and the unacquired values can be calculated and filled in based on the acquired values. In a preferred embodiment, no extra training data is used and no sensitivity map is used. In an embodiment, the extra ACS lines can be directly applied in the k-space to improve the image quality. Because the correlations exploited via the subject method are local and intrinsic, the subject method does not require that the sensitivity maps have no change during the acquisition. Advantageously, the subject method can be utilized when sensitivity maps change, preferably slowly, during the acquisition of the data.

The present invention discloses a portable magnetic resonance method and device for tissue analysis including a magnetic field generator, a radio frequency source, a radio frequency detector, a power source, and a processor configured for receiving radio frequency signals and for analyzing those signals to determine discriminatory tissue characteristics in a planar section of a region of interest within a patient's body, with the magnetic field generator positioned outside of the patient's body, and more preferably hand held in proximity to the patient's body. The processor is configured to direct the radio frequency source to produce a radio frequency field in varying planar sections of the region of interest at Larmor frequencies such that spins resonant with the Larmor frequency in the particular planar section of the region of interest are excited. The processor is further configured to direct the radio frequency detector to receive magnetic resonance signals produced in each planar section of the region of interest in response to the applied radio frequency field, to compute from the acquired magnetic resonance signals a quantitative metric indicative of discriminatory characteristics of differing tissues or other materials within each such planar section, and to produce human discernable output indicative of such quantitative metric.

An improved surgical retractor stay having a plastic hook member such that the entire surgical retractor stay is substantially non-interfering with X-ray and MRI imaging techniques.

A metallic alloy whose primary constituent elements are a relatively higher volume fraction of titanium and a relatively lower volume fraction of an added element or elements generally selected from the transition elements (excluding mercury, cadmium, osmium and copper). Medical devices formed from the metallic alloy are visible under MRI imaging and are sufficiently radiopaque for viewing by x-ray fluoroscopy. The alloy may be embodied in a multitude of medical devices.

A wireless in bore sensor for magnet resonance imaging provides radio frequency communication of physiological and other data signals from a battery powered unit held adjacent to the patient within the bore by using multiple diversity techniques to overcome the interfering environment of the MRI imaging system and to prevent interference with the MRI system.

A dual modality CT/MRI integrated system for the diagnosis of acute strokes and treating a patient and methods thereof. The method includes: immobilizing a patient or a portion thereof to a support; accommodating the patient or portion thereof in a CT device; scanning the same; placing the patient or portion thereof within an MRI device and imaging the same such that the orientation of the patient or portion thereof in the CT scanning and the MRI imaging is identical or at least spatially (2D or 3D) retrievable.

An implantable medical device detects a strong static magnetic field associated with an MRI imaging instrument and operates in a safekeeping operating mode. The device (10) includes an electronic circuit for the detection/stimulation of a cardiac activity (16), a weak field sensor (22) detecting the presence of a first magnetic field of a permanent magnet being located in proximity to the device, a strong field sensor (20) detecting the presence of a second magnetic field of an MRI imaging instrument during the course of an MRI examination. The electronic circuit is placed in a safekeeping operating mode protected from the magnetic field of an MRI imaging instrument when the weak field sensor detects the first magnetic field and the strong field sensor detects the second magnetic field. The strong field sensor is a sensor that is selectively activated on detection of a magnetic field by the weak field sensor.