University of Utah Research Foundation

Siemens Healthcare Gmbh

Allison Payne

Dennis Lee Parker

Bradley Drake Bolster, Jr

Bryant Svedin

Lorne Wyatt Hofstetter

Henrik Odeen

Robb P Merrill

Emilee Minalga

Rock J Hadley

Laura Lighty

A method for mapping shear wave velocity in biological tissues includes using an ultrasound transducer to generate mechanical excitations at a plurality of locations in a region of interest. An MRI system is used to capture a phase image of each mechanical excitation, wherein motion encoding gradients (MEGs) of the MRI system encode a propagating shear wavefront caused by the mechanical excitation. A plurality of shear wave velocity maps is generated based on the phase images, wherein each shear wave velocity map depicts velocity between adjacent propagating shear wavefronts. The shear wave speed values are combined to generate a composite shear wave velocity map of the region of interest.

Mapping shear wave velocity and shear modulus in biological tissues

A computer implemented method for measuring Tin an anatomical region of interest during a dynamic procedure includes acquiring a reference MR image of the anatomical region of interest using a first flip angle. A first set of dynamic MR images of the anatomical region of interest are acquired using a second flip angle. The reference MR image and the first set are used to calculate a reference Tvalue for tissue in the anatomical region of interest. During an intervention where the Tvalue may change, a second set of dynamic MR images of the anatomical region of interest is acquired using the second flip angle. The reference MR image and the second set are used to calculate an estimated Tvalue. The reference Tvalue, the estimated Tvalue, and the first and second flip angles may then be used to correct the estimated Tvalue.

Simultaneous proton resonance frequency shift thermometry and Tmeasurements using a single reference variable flip angle Tmethod

A therapeutic ultrasound breast treatment device () is disclosed. The device () can include a receptacle () to receive a breast of a patient therein. The device () can also include an ultrasound transducer assembly disposed proximate the receptacle and oriented to direct a high intensity ultrasound transmission through an opening () of the receptacle () toward the breast. The device () can include a liner () disposed in the receptacle () to contain an ultrasound coupling fluid about the breast. The liner () can have an extension portion that extends through the opening () to form a seal with the ultrasound transducer assembly to prevent leakage of the ultrasound coupling fluid. A focus location of the ultrasound transmission can be adjustable and the device () can include a plurality of RF tracking coils to determine the focus location of the ultrasound transmission to facilitate adjustment of the focus location in an MRI environment.

Therapeutic ultrasound breast treatment

A method for producing an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes acquiring a series of echo signals by sampling k-space along radial lines that each pass through the center of k-space. Each projection of the radial lines is divided into multiple echoes and successive projections are spaced by a predetermined angular distance. The series of echo signals are reconstructed into a plurality of images, wherein each image corresponds to a distinct echo signal.

Multi-echo pseudo-golden angle stack of stars thermometry with high spatial and temporal resolution using k-space weighted image contrast

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Allison Payne