Method for marking an entry position for an injection apparatus in interventional mr imaging
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12357415-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-15
Expiration Date
2042-06-09
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Abstract
A method for marking an entry position for an injection apparatus on a surface of a patient positioned inside a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance device. The method includes providing a virtual entry position, introducing a marking apparatus into the patient receiving region, acquiring time-resolved MR image data from the marking apparatus by the magnetic resonance device, ascertaining a current position of the marking apparatus based on the time-resolved MR image data, iteratively changing the current position of the marking apparatus using the virtual entry position and the current position, and delivering the liquid from the marking apparatus when the current position matches the virtual entry position.
Core Innovation
The invention concerns a method and a marking apparatus for marking an entry position for an injection apparatus on a patient's surface during interventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The method involves providing a virtual entry position, introducing a marking apparatus into the patient receiving region of an MR device, acquiring time-resolved MR image data of the marking apparatus, ascertaining its current position based on this data, iteratively adjusting the position of the marking apparatus towards the virtual entry position, and delivering liquid from the marking apparatus when its current position matches the virtual entry position.
The marking apparatus comprises a tubular housing made from MR-visible material, surrounding a hollow region oriented axially. It includes a liquid apparatus at one end to receive or deliver liquid and a portioning apparatus inside the hollow region to control the liquid volume. The housing apparatus may have a cylindrical shape, tapering towards the delivery end, and can be telescopic to vary its length. The use of MR-visible materials enables visualization and precise positioning using time-resolved MR images, improving accuracy in marking entry points for medical interventions.
The problem addressed arises from difficulties in accurately marking the entry position for minimally invasive procedures under MR guidance. Conventional approaches like manual finger marking or grid lines on the skin are inaccurate due to finger diameter or patient movement, leading to deviations from planned entry positions and increasing intervention risks and duration. The invention solves this by combining a visible marking apparatus compatible with MR imaging, iterative real-time positioning guided by MR images, and precise liquid marking at the correct entry point, enabling safer and more efficient procedures.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims covering the marking apparatus, the method for marking an entry position, and the magnetic resonance device configured to support the method.
Telescopic tubular housing with variable length
A marking apparatus comprising a tubular housing made from MR-visible material that is telescopic and has a variable length in the axial direction, with the tubular housing consisting of truncated cone-shaped telescoping sections that nest within one another towards the delivery end.
Marking method using time-resolved MR imaging and iterative positioning
A method for marking an entry position involving providing a virtual entry position, introducing the telescopic marking apparatus into the patient receiving region, acquiring time-resolved MR image data, ascertaining the current position of the marking apparatus based on this data, iteratively changing the current position towards the virtual entry position, and delivering liquid when positions match.
Magnetic resonance device configured to support the marking method
A magnetic resonance device comprising an acquisition unit for obtaining time-resolved MR image data, and a control unit with an ascertainment unit to ascertain a virtual entry position and a determination unit to ascertain the current position of the marking apparatus based on time-resolved MR image data, enabling support for the marking method.
The independent claims disclose (1) a telescopic marking apparatus with an MR-visible tubular housing for precise liquid delivery, (2) a method using real-time MR imaging for iterative positioning and marking of an entry point, and (3) an MR device configured for acquiring image data and determining positions to support this method.
Stated Advantages
Enables more precise and accurate marking of entry positions compared to manual finger marking or grid and laser methods, reducing risks and duration of minimally invasive interventions.
Supports iterative, intuitive real-time positioning with feedback using time-resolved MR imaging, improving reliability and control during marking.
Reduces patient movement between planning and marking steps by allowing marking within the MR device’s examination region, increasing robustness and speed.
Simplifies procedure by eliminating need for additional marking aids like stickers, grids, lasers, thus decreasing cost and complexity.
The marking apparatus is simple, inexpensive, and suitable for sterile one-time use, facilitating practical clinical adoption.
Documented Applications
Marking of an entry position for an injection apparatus such as surgical needles used for biopsies, ablation, or brachytherapy during minimally invasive medical interventions assisted by interventional MR imaging.
Use within closed magnetic resonance devices with cylindrical patient receiving regions for image-assisted positioning and marking.
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