Unilateral magnetic resonance imaging system with aperture for interventions and methodologies for operating same
Inventors
Weinberg, Irving N. • NACEV, Aleksandar Nelson • HILAMAN, Ryan • VOHRA, Amit
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11686793-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
An imaging apparatus and methodologies image a subject using an MRI, wherein the imaging apparatus contains only a single sided device for the purposes of imaging structures in the subject.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a unilateral or single-sided MRI system in which an imaging apparatus is provided on one side of a subject region. The imaging apparatus includes one or more arrays of magnetic materials positioned to generate a magnetic field on the one side of the apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging.
The apparatus provides an access aperture through the one or more arrays of magnetic materials to provide access for intervention with the subject while imaging. The magnetic field on the one side of the apparatus is used to image the subject using magnetic resonance imaging at a distance from the apparatus and from the access aperture, thereby enabling imaging without a fully enclosed multi-sided geometry.
The magnetic-material arrays are configured so that at least some of the arrays generate magnetic fields in opposition to other materials in the one or more arrays. The system is described with configurations that include magnet layers and an aperture/access holes arrangement, and it may use electro-permanent magnets together with MRI coils for radiofrequency generating and recording, gradient, pre-polarizing, and shimming; magnetic profile uniformity or inhomogeneity may be addressed using reconstruction to compensate for a magnetic profile.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover an apparatus and a method for single-sided magnetic-resonance imaging using arrays of magnetic materials that provide opposing magnetic fields while defining an access aperture for intervention; the coverage centers on four core inventive elements across the independent claims: single-sided imaging geometry, opposing magnetic material arrays, an access aperture through the arrays, and imaging at a distance from the apparatus and access aperture.
Single-sided imaging apparatus with access aperture through magnetic-material arrays
An apparatus for imaging one or more structures included in a subject, including single sided operation for imaging using a magnetic field provided on one side of the apparatus, and an access aperture provided through one or more arrays of magnetic materials extending through the single side.
Opposing magnetic fields generated by arrays of magnetic materials
One or more arrays of magnetic materials, with at least some of the arrays generating magnetic fields in opposition to other materials in the one or more arrays, where the opposed magnetic fields are used for magnetic resonance imaging on the one side of the apparatus.
Distance imaging from apparatus and access aperture
The magnetic field on the one side of the apparatus is used to image the subject using magnetic resonance imaging that is at a distance from the apparatus and from the access aperture.
Positioning magnetic-material array on one side for single-sided distance MRI
A method comprising positioning an array of magnetic materials on one side of the one or more structures, where the array forms an imaging apparatus that is a single sided device having an access aperture for access to the one or more structures, followed by imaging the structures using magnetic resonance imaging using the array positioned on the one side.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage is directed to single-sided MRI with magnetic-material arrays that generate opposing magnetic fields, while providing an access aperture through the single side for intervention, and using the one-sided magnetic field to perform magnetic resonance imaging at a distance from the apparatus and the access aperture.
Stated Advantages
Improved subject mobility versus conventional enclosed MRI systems.
Enables intervention while imaging.
Documented Applications
Imaging the pelvic region of a subject.
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