Minimally Invasive MRI Sensor Array for Plaque Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic techniques for diseases such as atherosclerosis and colon cancer are often ineffective, complex, or costly, and struggle to accurately distinguish between vulnerable and calcified plaques, leading to delayed or inadequate diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
Development of a compact MRI system with a sensor array mounted on a probe that can be inserted minimally invasively, utilizing magnetoresistive sensors to provide high-resolution NMR mapping and imaging of tissue structures, including vulnerable plaques, and integrating with existing diagnostic equipment for improved diagnostic efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a compact MRI system with sensor array is developed, then imaging resolution and diagnostic accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging function into multiple sensor elements arranged in an array, where each sensor detects signals from a specific spatial location. This segmentation allows high-resolution imaging to be achieved through multiple simple sensing points rather than a single complex sensor, resolving the contradiction between imaging resolution and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor array as an intermediary component between the tissue being imaged and the signal processing system. This array of magnetoresistive sensors acts as a mediator that converts biological tissue properties into detectable magnetic signals with high spatial resolution, enabling improved imaging without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
2Ease of operation
If minimal invasive probe insertion is used, then ease of operation and patient comfort are improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is designed with locally optimized characteristics for each sensor element, allowing high-resolution imaging of specific tissue regions while maintaining the overall simplicity of the probe insertion process. Each sensor in the array is positioned and oriented to provide localized measurement precision without compromising the ease of minimal invasive insertion.
3Measurement precision
If magnetoresistive sensors are used, then measurement precision and sensitivity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electrical sensing mechanisms with magnetoresistive sensors that detect magnetic field variations. This substitution enables high-sensitivity detection of NMR signals from tissue without requiring complex mechanical positioning or traditional electrical contact methods, improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through the use of solid-state sensing technology.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables faster and more effective diagnosis of life-threatening diseases by providing high-resolution images of tissue structures, reducing patient scan time, and improving the ability to differentiate between vulnerable and calcified plaques, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a coil to excite the oriented nuclei and induce an emission of NMR signals, and an array of magnetoresistive sensors to detect at least one of a magnetic field amplitude or a magnetic field phase of the NMR signals
Implementation Method 2
a magnet to orient nuclei of the material
Implementation Method 3
a coil to excite the oriented nuclei and induce an emission of NMR signals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and methods for measuring materials with NMR and/or MRI. Exemplary embodiments provide a sensor array for NMR mapping of the material. For example tissue can be measured with the sensor array mounted on a probe body having a distal portion which can be inserted through a minimally invasive aperture. While many tissues can be measured and/or diagnosed, one exemplary embodiment includes a probe adapted for insertion into a lumen of a blood vessel. The sensor array can provide improved spatial resolution of tissue and/or tissue structures positioned near the sensor array to diagnose potentially life threatening diseases, for example a fibrous cap covering a vulnerable plaque. In specific embodiments, the sensors are attached to an expandable member, for example a balloon, which can be inflated to urge the probe sensors radially outward to position the sensors near the tissue structures.