MRI detection of free-radicals from radiation
Inventors
Weinberg, Irving N. • FRICKE, Stanley Thomas • NACEV, Aleksandar N.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11709218-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments now disclosed herein provide an apparatus and method in which free radicals can be detected in a substance by MRI without changing the MRI static field.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus and an MRI system for measurement of exposure of a substance to ionizing radiation by collecting one or more signals from excited species in the substance during or after exposure. The excited species include free radicals, superoxide, or ionized hydrogen species, and the signals generate contrast within the substance between a portion that has been exposed and a portion that has not been exposed to the ionizing radiation.
The apparatus includes at least one magnetic coil positioned near the substance and operated to collect signals from the excited species during or after exposure to ionizing radiation, and the MRI system includes the at least one magnetic coil. The MRI system detects radiation exposure by assessing the signals from excited species that are produced by exposing the substance to the ionizing radiation, and control of subsequent exposure is based on the contrast.
The MRI is configured to use pulse sequences with rapid rise-time, fall-time, or duration, including at least one pulse whose rise-time, fall-time, or duration are less than 10 microseconds long. The MRI pulse sequences are capable of assessing signals from excited species in which the signals decay within ten milliseconds, and the MRI system includes a plurality of electropermanent sections.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are directed to an apparatus and a method for assessing radiation exposure using MRI signals from excited species, with subsequent exposure control based on contrast. The claims share inventive features centered on excited-species signal detection and fast MRI pulse timing, including constraints on pulse rise/fall/duration and support for rapid signal decay assessment.
Nearby coil collecting excited-species signals for exposure measurement
The MRI system includes at least one magnetic coil positioned near the substance and operated to collect one or more signals from excited species in the substance during or after exposure of the substance to ionizing radiation.
Excited species generating contrast and distinguishing exposed from unexposed portions
The MRI system detects radiation exposure by assessing signals from excited species that generate contrast in the substance, wherein the excited species are free radicals, superoxide, or ionized hydrogen species, produced by exposing the substance to the ionizing radiation, and wherein the contrast is generated between a portion of the substance that has been exposed and a portion that has not been exposed.
Electropermanent section MRI architecture
The MRI system includes a plurality of electropermanent sections.
Pulse sequencing with sub-10 microsecond rise-time, fall-time, or duration
The MRI has pulse sequences that include at least one pulse whose rise-time, fall-time, or duration are less than 10 microseconds long.
Subsequent radiation exposure control based on measured contrast
Control of subsequent exposure is based on the contrast.
Radiation exposure assessment with MRI signal-based subsequent exposure control
The method positions at least one magnetic coil near the substance and operates the at least one magnetic coil to collect one or more signals from excited species in the substance during or after exposure to ionizing radiation, and controls subsequent exposure of the substance to radiation exposure based on detected prior exposure.
Pulse sequences for excited-species signals decaying within ten milliseconds
The MRI system generates pulse sequences capable of assessing signals from excited species in the substance in which the signals decay within ten milliseconds.
Across the independent claims, radiation exposure is assessed by using MRI with a nearby magnetic coil to collect signals from radiation-produced excited species that generate contrast between exposed and unexposed portions. The claims further include MRI pulse sequencing with rise-time, fall-time, or duration less than 10 microseconds and, for the method claim, capability to assess excited-species signals decaying within ten milliseconds, with subsequent exposure control based on the contrast.
Stated Advantages
Enables assessment of radiation exposure by detecting signals from radiation-produced excited species using MRI-generated contrast.
Generates contrast between exposed and unexposed portions of the substance to support controlling subsequent exposure based on the measured contrast.
Uses pulse sequences with at least one pulse having rise-time, fall-time, or duration less than 10 microseconds long to support rapid assessment of excited-species signals.
Documented Applications
Assessing radiation exposure to a substance and controlling subsequent exposure based on detected prior exposure, including in a radiation therapy context.
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