St Georges Hospital Medical School

University of Washington

Cancer Research Campaign Technology Limited

Franklyn A Howe

Thomas Richard Barrick

Aaron Gershon Filler

Todd L Richards

Jay S Tsurda

Felix Raschke

Aaron G Filler

Matthew Hall

A computer-implemented method of analysing nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, data of a target object is provided. The method comprises receiving NMR data of the target object, and analysing the received NMR data using a model of the diffusive behaviour of particles within the target object. The model includes a time parameter and a space parameter, the time parameter describing temporal characteristics of the diffusive behaviour of particles in the model and the space parameter describing spatial characteristics of the diffusive behaviour of particles in the model. The model is constrained such that the value of the time parameter and the value of the space parameter are related according to a correlation function. An apparatus for analysing nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, data of a target object is also provided.

Method and apparatus for quasi-diffusion magnetic resonance imaging

Methods and apparatus for obtaining probability density functions representing expected distributions of values of a parameter associated with an imaging modality are disclosed. The probability density functions are derived using data obtained from reference tissue volumes using the same imaging modality and at least one other type of imaging modality. The probability density functions are used to analyze data obtained from a volume of tissue of a patient in order to classify the tissue according to tissue type. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed in which deviations from a mean of an arctangent of ratios of first and second metabolite intensities in voxels are used to identify tissue types.

Processing imaging data to obtain tissue type information

A focal magnetic resonance imaging system (20) for generating images of neural structures such as nerves. The system (20) includes a control and analysis system (22), a polarizing system (24), and splint-coil assembly (26). The splint-coil assembly (26) includes a splint (28) and various magnetic and electromagnetic coils (32,40,42) incorporated within the splint (28). The splint (28) conforms snugly to a patient's body part, e.g., limb, so that the coils (32,40,42) are fixed with respect to the patient's body part. The splint-coil assembly (26) can be positioned independently of a main field generated by the polarizing system (24), and a stabilization apparatus (156) is included for adjustably securing the position of the splint-coil assembly (26) during imaging. A focal magnet assembly (60) that can serve as the polarizing system (24) is also provided. Further provided is a method of operating the control and analysis system (22) to consistently generate images depicting the fascicular structure of nerves (100) by ensuring that image gradients (108) are oriented orthogonal to the nerves (100).

Focal neurographic magnetic resonance imaging system

A neurography system (10) is disclosed for generating diagnostically useful images of neural tissue (i.e., neurograms) employing a modified magnetic resonance imaging system (14). In one embodiment, the neurography system selectively images neural tissue by employing one or more gradients to discriminate diffusion anisotropy in the tissue and further enhances the image by suppressing the contribution of fat to the image. The neurography system is part of a broader medical system (12), which may include an auxiliary data collection system (22), diagnostic system (24), therapeutic system (26), surgical system (28), and training system (30). These various systems are all constructed to take advantage of the information provided by the neurography system regarding neural networks, which information was heretofore unavailable.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Franklyn A Howe