Systems and methods to map autoregulation of the kidney using magnetic resonance imaging
Inventors
Bennett, Kevin • BALDELOMAR, Edwin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12657722-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of mapping autoregulation of a kidney using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is provided. The method includes acquiring a time series of MR images of a subject while the subject is at rest by acquiring MR images of an imaging region repeatedly over a period of time by applying a pulse sequence. The imaging region includes at least a kidney of the subject. The method also includes analyzing the time series of MR images along a temporal dimension, and identifying features associated with autoregulation of the kidney including tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) in voxels of the MR images based on the analysis. The method further includes generating a map and/or a metric of the autoregulation based on the identified features, and outputting the map and/or the metric.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of mapping autoregulation of a kidney using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by acquiring a time series of MR images using a non-contrasted resting state MR imaging to detect physiological fluctuation slower than a respiratory rate while the subject is at rest. The imaging region includes at least a kidney and the method repeatedly acquires MR images of the region over a period of time by applying a pulse sequence, and analyzes the time series along a temporal dimension.
The method identifies features corresponding to autoregulation of the kidney in voxels of the MR images based on the analysis, including tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). A map and/or a metric of the autoregulation is generated based on the identified features and then output.
The disclosure further characterizes analysis of the temporal dimension by identifying autoregulation-associated features in voxels using temporal signal processing such as computing a power spectrum and identifying features corresponding to TGF or a myogenic response within specified frequency bands, and/or computing cross-correlation for feature identification. The overall approach is presented as enabling noninvasive mapping of kidney autoregulation from resting-state MR imaging.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three method categories: kidney autoregulation mapping using non-contrasted resting-state MR imaging with voxel-wise temporal feature identification and outputting a map and/or metric; a similar kidney mapping method that includes receiving the time series; and mapping autoregulation of one or more organs outside the central nervous system, again using non-contrasted resting-state MR imaging with voxel-wise temporal feature identification and outputting a map and/or metric. The inventive features number three core elements.
Non-contrasted resting-state temporal MR imaging of a kidney
Acquiring a time series of MR images of a subject using a non-contrasted resting state MR imaging to detect physiological fluctuation slower than a respiratory rate by acquiring the MR images while the subject is at rest, with the imaging region including at least a kidney and repeatedly acquiring the imaging region over a period of time by applying a pulse sequence.
Voxel-wise temporal-dimension feature identification for kidney autoregulation
Analyzing the time series of MR images along a temporal dimension and identifying features corresponding to autoregulation of the kidney including tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) in voxels of the MR images based on the analysis.
Generate and output a map and/or metric of kidney autoregulation
Generating a map and/or a metric of the autoregulation based on the identified features and outputting the map and/or the metric.
Non-contrasted resting-state temporal MR imaging of organs outside the central nervous system
Receiving a time series of MR images of a subject wherein the time series were acquired using a non-contrasted resting state MR imaging to detect physiological fluctuation slower than a respiratory rate of the subject by acquiring the time series while the subject is at rest, with the imaging region repeatedly acquired over a period of time and including one or more organs outside a central nervous system of the subject.
Voxel-wise temporal-dimension autoregulation feature identification for one or more organs outside the central nervous system
Analyzing the time series along a temporal dimension and identifying features associated with autoregulation of the one or more organs in voxels of the MR images based on the analysis.
Generate and output a map and/or metric of autoregulation for one or more organs outside the central nervous system
Generating a map and/or a metric of the autoregulation based on the identified features and outputting the map and/or the metric.
Across the independent claims, the central claim coverage is a method that noninvasively maps autoregulation by acquiring non-contrasted resting-state MR image time series over an imaging region including a kidney or one or more organs outside a central nervous system, analyzing the series along a temporal dimension to identify voxel-wise autoregulation-related features, and generating and outputting a map and/or a metric based on the identified features.
Stated Advantages
Enables noninvasive mapping of kidney autoregulation from resting-state MR imaging.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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