319 results about "MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging" patented technology

A core sampling biopsy device is compatible with use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment by being driven by either a pneumatic rotary motor or a piezoelectric drive motor. The core sampling biopsy device obtains a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample. A cutter drive assembly maintains a fixed gear ratio relationship between a cutter rotation speed and translation speed of the inner cutter regardless of the density of the tissue encountered to yield consistent sample size.

An optical image-based tracking system determines the position and orientation of objects such as biological materials or medical devices within or on the surface of a human body undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Three-dimensional coordinates of the object to be tracked are obtained initially using a plurality of MR-compatible cameras. A calibration procedure converts the motion information obtained with the optical tracking system coordinates into coordinates of an MR system. A motion information file is acquired for each MRI scan, and each file is then converted into coordinates of the MRI system using a registration transformation. Each converted motion information file can be used to realign, correct, or otherwise augment its corresponding single MR image or a time series of such MR images. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides real-time computer control to track the position of an interventional treatment system, including surgical tools and tissue manipulators, devices for in vivo delivery of drugs, angioplasty devices, biopsy and sampling devices, devices for delivery of RF, thermal energy, microwaves, laser energy or ionizing radiation, and internal illumination and imaging devices, such as catheters, endoscopes, laparoscopes, and like instruments. In other embodiments, the invention is also useful for conventional clinical MRI events, functional MRI studies, and registration of image data acquired using multiple modalities.

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.

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.

An endoscopic system and method that is adaptable for therapeutic applications as well as sensor operation and is capable of producing 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging with real dynamic convergence, not virtual convergence. Applications may include use in any space, including but not limited to, intra-abdominal cavities, intra-thoracic cavities, and intra-cranial cavities. Further, two or more diagnostic / sensor probes may be used, with at least two being the same kind to create the 3-dimensional effect, such as but not limited to, camera, ultrasound, and magnetic-resonance imaging. Diagnostic / sensor probes are each mounted to the end of a different arm, with the other ends of the two arms both being attached to the same hinge that allows them to turn freely on the same axis from side-to-side within a 180 degree angle range of movement on the distal end of a main tubular shaft system. Medical, as well as other applications, are contemplated.

Neuro-response data including Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is filtered, analyzed, and combined to evaluate the effectiveness of stimulus materials such as marketing and entertainment materials. A data collection mechanism including multiple modalities such as, Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electrooculography (EOG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), etc., collects response data from subjects exposed to marketing and entertainment stimuli. A data cleanser mechanism filters the response data and removes cross-modality interference.

Provided herein are systems, modules and methods of using the same for in-situ real time imaging guidance of a robot during a surgical procedure. The systems comprise a plurality of modules that intraoperatively link an imaging modality, particularly a magnetic resonance imaging modality, a medical robot and an operator thereof via a plurality of interfaces. The modules are configured to operate in at least one computer having a memory, a processor and a network connection to enable instructions to generally control the imaging modality, track the robot, track a tissue of interest in an area of procedure, process data acquire from imaging modality and the robot and visualize the area and robot. Also provided are non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium storing computer-executable instructions comprising the modules and a computer program produce tangibly embodied in the storage medium.

In EMI filter assemblies incorporating one or more passive filter elements including feedthrough capacitors and lossy ferrite inductors, a process is provided for tuning the various components to reduce the amount of heat generated in implanted lead wires during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging. The process includes selection and testing of individual components and an interative process involving tradeoffs and subsequent testing prior to finalization of the feedthrough design.

A method and system for non-invasive hemodynamic assessment of aortic coarctation from medical image data, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is disclosed. Patient-specific lumen anatomy of the aorta and supra-aortic arteries is estimated from medical image data of a patient, such as contrast enhanced MRI. Patient-specific aortic blood flow rates are estimated from the medical image data of the patient, such as velocity encoded phase-contrasted MRI cine images. Patient-specific inlet and outlet boundary conditions for a computational model of aortic blood flow are calculated based on the patient-specific lumen anatomy, the patient-specific aortic blood flow rates, and non-invasive clinical measurements of the patient. Aortic blood flow and pressure are computed over the patient-specific lumen anatomy using the computational model of aortic blood flow and the patient-specific inlet and outlet boundary conditions.

A room for use in conducting medical procedures includes an image on a screen disposed in the room. The room preferably includes a track for disposing the screen across the room to create a panoramic view of the scene in the screen. Preferably the track, and hence the image on the screen disposed on the track, are arcuate. The screen provides a virtual reality and a calming effect to the patient undergoing the procedure. The screen can be moved mechanically around the room to display different images on the screen. The screen can be changed to provide a different set of images. Ceiling lights, sounds and smells can be added to the room to further accent the theme of the screen's image and enhance the overall calming effect by portraying the medical procedure room as the scene in the screen. Illumination may be provided behind the screen, as well. The medical procedure may be a magnetic resonance imaging procedure, in which case the room comprises a magnetic resonance imaging assembly. The magnetic resonance imaging assembly may be an open magnetic resonance imaging assembly. The assembly may define, at least in part, the room. Methods of preparing a room for a medical procedure and methods of conducting a magnetic resonance imaging procedure are also disclosed.

The present invention provides hydroxypyridinone and hydroxypyrimidone chelating agents. Also provides are Gd(III) complexes of these agents, which are useful as contrast enhancing agents for magnetic resonance imaging. The invention also provides methods of preparing the compounds of the invention, as well as methods of using the compounds in magnetic resonance imaging applications.

A high-pass two-dimensional ladder network has been described for high-field MRI and credential applications. The next-to-highest eigenvalue of the network corresponds to a normal mode giving rise to B1 fields with good spatial homogeneity above the resonator plane. Other eigenvalues may also be used for specific imaging applications. In its most basic form, the ladder network is a collection of inductively coupled resonators where each element of the array is represented by at least one conducting strip having a self-inductance L, joined by a capacitor C at one or more points along each resonator. In the strong coupling limit of the inductively coupled high-pass two-dimensional ladder network resonator array, the array produces a high-frequency resonant mode that can be used to generate the traditional quadrature B1 field used in magnetic resonance imaging, and in the limit of weak or zero coupling reduces to a phased array suitable for parallel imaging applications.

The invention discloses a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based brain disease individual prediction method and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based brain disease individual prediction system. The method comprises the following steps: 1: obtaining the MRI of the brain of a patient with mental diseases; 2: carrying out denoising and dimension reduction treatment on the MRI of the brain of the patient; 3: carrying out feature selection by utilizing a ReliefF algorithm; 4: adaptively obtaining a spatial brain area by using a spatial cluster analysis method; 5: removing redundant features by utilizing a correlation-based feature selection algorithm, thus obtaining an optimal feature subset; 6: carrying out multiple linear regression analysis based on the optimal feature subset to recognize potential biomarkers. The method has the beneficial effects that the embodiment of the invention integrates various machine learning methods and can rapidly and conveniently achieve quantitative and individual accurate prediction of the interest features of mental diseases, such as clinical indexes, based on various image data in different mode types, thus being beneficial to understanding the brain structures, function abnormity and potential pathogenesis of the diseases.

This invention provides a system and method for fusing and synthesizing a plurality of medical images defined by a plurality of imaging parameters that allow the visual enhancements of each image data set to be selectively combined with those of other image datasets. In this manner, a user-defined parameter set can be generated in the final response image dataset. This final response image dataset displays visual data represents a form particularly useful to the clinician. In an illustrative embodiment, the system for fusing and synthesizing the plurality of medical images provides an image fusion process / processor that fuses a plurality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets. A first image dataset of the MRI datasets is defined by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. A second image dataset of the MRI datasets is defined by at least one parameter other than the ADC values. The image fusion processor generates a fused response image that visually displays a combination of image features generated by the ADC values combined with image features generated by the at least one parameter other than the ADC values. The fused response image can illustratively include at least one of color-enhanced regions of interest and intensity-enhanced regions of interest.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system uses a superconducting magnet having a primary coil structure and a shielding coil layer. The primary coil structure comprises at least three sets of coils with significantly different inner diameters, forming a three-bore magnet structure. The three bores are coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis, with the largest diameter first bore on one side of the magnet and the smallest diameter third bore on another side of the magnet, as well as a medium diameter second bore located axially between the first and the third bores. The first bore allows access for the head and shoulders and permits the head to enter into the second bore for imaging, while the patient's extremities (hands, legs) may access through the third bore for producing images of the extremity joints. The magnet may also be used for other specialist imaging where use of a whole-body MRI is unwarranted, such as the imaging of neonates. Reinforcing plates can be connected between coil formers to withstand the forces generated by the high magnetic fields.

Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software for extended phase correction in phase sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A magnetic resonance image or images may be loaded into a memory. Two vector images A and B associated with the loaded image or images may be calculated either explicitly or implicitly so that a vector orientation by one of the two vector images at a pixel is substantially determined by a background or error phase at the pixel, and the vector orientation at the pixel by the other vector image is substantially different from that determined by the background or error phase at the pixel. A sequenced region growing phase correction algorithm may be applied to the vector images A and B to construct a new vector image V so that a vector orientation of V at each pixel is substantially determined by the background or error phase at the pixel. A phase corrected magnetic resonance image or images may be generated using the vector image V, and the phase corrected magnetic resonance image or images may be displayed or archived.

Due to the lack of internal anatomic detail with traditional magnetic resonance imaging, preoperative stereotactic planning for the treatment of tremor usually relies on indirect targeting based on atlas-derived coordinates. To overcome such disadvantages, a method is provided that allows for deep brain stimulation targeting based on brain connectivity. For example, probabilistic tractography-based thalamic segmentation for deep brain stimulator (DBS) targeting is suitable for the treatment of tremor.

The present invention relates to gold nanocages containing magnetic nanoparticles and a preparation method thereof. More specifically, relates to hollow-type gold nanocage particles, which contain iron oxide nanoparticles having a magnetic property and have an optical property of strongly absorbing or scattering light in the near-infrared (NIR) region, as well as a preparation method thereof. Due to their optical property and magnetic property, the magnetic nanoparticle-containing gold nanocages can be used in various applications, including analysis in a turbid medium with light, cancer therapy or biomolecular manipulation using light, contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia treatment and drug delivery guide, etc.

A biopsy device which is compatible for use with a magnetic resonance imaging machine. The device includes a non-metallic elongated substantially tubular needle having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis therebetween, and a port on the elongated needle for receiving a tissue sample. The device further includes a sharpened distal tip for insertion within tissue. The sharpened distal tip is attached to the distal end of the needle and at least partially comprises a material which will leave an artifact under magnetic resonance imaging.

The invention belongs to the field of prostate disease medical equipment and particularly relates to a method for improving a prostate tumor MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) image identification rate based on a CAD (Computer-Aided Diagnosis) system. The method comprises the following steps: (1) collecting an MRI image of a prostate patient; (2) extracting MRI prostate tumor ROI region features; (3) carrying out feature-grade fusion on the ROI region features; and (4) identifying the fused features by classification through taking a neural network as a classification device. By virtue of the method, the capabilities of identifying the prostate benign and malignant tumors are at least improved by 10%, and the method has active meanings on the CAD of the MRI prostate tumors.

The invention discloses a novel integrated artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis, belongs to medicinal human implants and is used for treating degenerative lumbar diseases. The structure of the artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is an integral structure, and consists of an upper endplate, a lower endplate, an elastic core, an elastic fiber bundle net, and a polymer gasket, wherein the upper endplate and the lower endplate are made of metal titanium; the elastic core, the elastic fiber bundle net and the polymer gasket are made of a medical polymer material; the elastic core has a structure which is clamped between the upper endplate and the lower endplate and has the elastically supporting function, and the elastic core is designed into a nucleus pulposus-like structure and has the characteristics of supporting and elastically buffering load; the upper endplate and the lower endplate are made of titanium alloy without influencing the magnetic resonance imaging, can develop under X-rays, are made according to physiologic intervertebral disc endplates in shape, are provided with anchorage points so as to conveniently weave fiber bundles, and are sprayed with hydroxyapatite and provided with keel to be favorable for bone ingrowth and prosthesis stabilization; the elastic fiber bundle net is weaved to be anchored on the endplates and weaved into the net outside the elastic core to play a role in connecting various components into a whole; the included angle between the net and the horizontal plane is an acute angle of 30+ / -10 degrees so as to match the included angle between the fiber bundles of the human intervertebral disc and the endplates; and the polymer gasket is coated on the outer layer of the fiber bundle to prevent the soft tissue ingrowth and coat the fragments, so that the biocompatibility is improved. Under the ideal condition, the anterior-ventral median sternotomy can be made.

The invention belongs to the technical field of biomedical polymer material and nanobiomaterial, particularly relates to a magnetic nano-carrier with targeted hydrophobic drug delivery to tumor and a preparation method thereof. The magnetic nano-carrier is formed by encapsulating superparamagnetic nano-particles with amphiphilic segmented copolymer methoxy polye thylene glycol-poly(lactide- glycolide) (MePEG-PLGA) micelles. First, a large amount of MePEG-PLGA with good dispersion is synthesized by the improved solution polymerization process, and then the MePEG-PLGA is used as raw materials to encapsulate Fe3O4 nano-particles by the solvent evaporation process to obtain a magnetic nano drug carrier. The carrier is expected to solve the solubility problem of insoluble drugs, achieves slow release of drugs, and achieves the passive-targeting of the drugs by the EPR effect of tumor; Fe3O4 nano-particles are used in the active-targeting of the drugs to reduce the dosage and the side effect and improve the treatment efficiency; besides, the carrier can be used in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumor.

A method and system for non-invasive hemodynamic assessment of aortic coarctation from medical image data, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is disclosed. Patient-specific lumen anatomy of the aorta and supra-aortic arteries is estimated from medical image data of a patient, such as contrast enhanced MRI. Patient-specific aortic blood flow rates are estimated from the medical image data of the patient, such as velocity encoded phase-contrasted MRI cine images. Patient-specific inlet and outlet boundary conditions for a computational model of aortic blood flow are calculated based on the patient-specific lumen anatomy, the patient-specific aortic blood flow rates, and non-invasive clinical measurements of the patient. Aortic blood flow and pressure are computed over the patient-specific lumen anatomy using the computational model of aortic blood flow and the patient-specific inlet and outlet boundary conditions.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which a compact pod insertable into the rectum for Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRI / MRS) examination of the prostate and containing two receive coils, each connected to transmit blocking and pre-tuned trap circuitry which can be superimposed within the pod in close proximity, can, without either circuit interfering with the other, efficiently gather, for imaging and tissue analysis, radio frequency signals emanating from magnetically disturbed nuclei in prostate tissue.

The invention discloses a method for preparing a nanometer system for multi-model diagnosis and treatment integration. The method comprises the following steps: adopting an in-situ growth nanogold modified rare-earth upconversion nanoparticle method to perform ligand exchange modification on oil-soluble upconversion luminescence nanoparticles of citric acid with a core-shell structure to be water-soluble, and performing citric acid ligand modification on the surfaces of the nanoparticles; uniformly growing nanogold particles on the surface through an in-situ crystal growth method so as to obtain in-situ growth nanogold modified upconversion luminescence nanoparticles; and linking polyethylene glycol-adriamycin hydrochloride containing hydrazone bonds and thiol onto the nanogold surface, thereby obtaining the rare-earth upconversion nanometer system. The invention further provides the nanometer system and application thereof. The nanometer system provided by the invention is uniform in size, high in stability and high in biocompatibility, has the effects of chemotherapy and photo-thermal physiotherapy and can be applied to the fields of upconversion fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, anti-cancer drug delivery, photo-thermal physiotherapy of cancers and the like.

The invention belongs to the technical field of nanometer materials, and particularly relates to a zinc oxide-gadolinium-drug composite nanoparticle, and a preparation method and application thereof. The composite nanoparticle comprises a zinc oxide nanocrystal core, a polymer shell, gadolinium (III) ions modified by coordinate bonds and surface-loaded anti-cancer drug molecules, has high stability, luminescence property and magnetic relaxation rate and can be applied to cell and small animal fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, mouse tumor treatment and the like. The preparation method includes coating a zinc oxide nanoparticle with a polymer through two copolymerization reactions, coordinating a large quantity of carboxyl groups carried by the polymer with the gadolinium (III) ions to magnetize the nanoparticle, and loading the drug molecules onto the surface of the nanoparticle. A nanoparticle drug loading platform has a good fluorescence-magnetic resonance imaging function, high drug loading rate and high release rate, is low in toxicity and is completely degraded in mouse bodies without residues, thereby having better biosecurity and medication specificity than anti-cancer drugs.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquiring unit and a generating unit. The acquiring unit performs compensation of a control waveform of a radio-frequency wave based on “an output waveform of a radio-frequency wave from an amplifier before the compensation” so that an intended output waveform of a radio-frequency wave for generating a spatially non-selective radio-frequency magnetic field is outputted from the amplifier, and acquires a magnetic resonance signal using the control waveform of a radio-frequency wave after the compensation. The generating unit generates image data based on the magnetic resonance signal.

A magnetic field sensor device suitable for use in an implantable medical device (such as a pacemaker, cardioverter / defibrillator, or cardiac resynchronization therapy device) is able to detect magnetic fields, such as the fields generated by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device, over a wide measurement range and to discriminate between different field strengths. Multiple sensors provided within the magnetic field sensor device are optimally biased to provide a power saving solution which is accurate enough for medical devices applications. The output of the magnetic field sensor device can be used to switch the implantable medical device to different operational modes, e.g., between programmable and “MRI safe” modes.