Ramot at Tel-aviv University Ltd.

University of California

Ramot University Authority for Applied Research and Industrial Development Limited

Ramot University Authority for Applied Research and Industrial

British Technology Group Limited

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Gil Navon

Uzi Eliav

Arnon Neufeld

Alexander Pines

Boyd M Goodson

Thomas F Budinger

Yi-Qiao Song

Stephan Appelt

Angelo Bifone

Rebecca Taylor

Roberto Seydoux

Toomas Room

Tanja Pietrass

Liat Tsoref

Dina Carasso

Menahem Levin

Yoram Rubin

Itamar Ronen

Yehuda Sharf

A novel MRI contrast technique enables to observe tissue properties not observable by previously known MRI methods. A difference between two disclosed pulse sequences is used to measure magnetization exchange time between water molecules and macromolecules such as proteins, thereby producing a measure highly sensitive to tissue changes resulting from coagulation, yet relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. This result is applied to an imaging method and provides direct visualization of the effects of surgical thermal ablation procedures.

MRI imaging and contrast method

A method of magnetic resonance analysis of a body having therein at least one molecular species and water is disclosed. The method comprises, subtracting magnetic resonance signals induced by a second radiofrequency pulse sequence from magnetic resonance signals induced by a first radiofrequency pulse sequence followed by a evolution period. The first radiofrequency pulse sequence is selected so as to suppress magnetization for the water while preserving a generally longitudinal magnetization to the at least one molecular species. The second radiofrequency pulse sequence being selected so as to suppress transverse and longitudinal magnetization for both the water and the at least one molecular species.

Method, apparatus and system for magnetic resonance analysis based on water magnetization transferred from other molecules

A radiofrequency (RF) resonator for magnetic resonance analysis, the RF resonator comprising: (a) at least two conductive elements, each having a first curvature along a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, the at least two conductive elements being spaced along the longitudinal axis, so that when an RF current flows within the at least two conductive elements in a direction of the longitudinal axis, a substantially homogenous RF magnetic field, directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is produced in a volume defined between the at least two conductive elements. The RF resonator further comprises (b) an electronic circuitry designed and configured for providing predetermined resonance characteristics of the RF resonator, for matching an impedance of the RF resonator to an impedance of an RF transmitter electrically communicating with the electronic circuitry, and for balancing the RF magnetic field to have a substantially symmetrical profile with respect to a transverse axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Radiofrequency magnetic field resonator and a method of designing the same

A method of magnetic resonance analysis of at least one type of molecules present in a solvent, the method comprises (a) applying a first radiofrequency pulse sequence selected so as to initially select a coherence of an order n for the at least one type of molecules in the solvent, wherein n is zero, a positive or a negative integer other than &#xb1;1, and thereafter to select an exclusive excitation of the at least one type of molecules in the solvent; (b) measuring at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the solvent; and (c) using the at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the solvent for calculating at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the at least one molecule.

Method of selective excitation for improving contrast in magnetic resonance imaging

The present invention relates generally to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for both spectroscopy and imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods in which hyperpolarized noble gases (e.g., Xe and He) are used to enhance and improve NMR and MRI. Additionally, the hyperpolarized gas solutions of the invention are useful both in vitro and in vivo to study the dynamics or structure of a system. When used with biological systems, either in vivo or in vitro, it is within the scope of the invention to target the hyperpolarized gas and deliver it to specific regions within the system.

Apparatus for preparing a solution of a hyperpolarized noble gas for NMR and MRI analysis

A radiofrequency (RF) resonator for magnetic resonance analysis, the RF resonator comprising: (a) at least two conductive elements, each having a first curvature along a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, the at least two conductive elements being spaced along the longitudinal axis, so that when an RF current flows within the at least two conductive elements in a direction of the longitudinal axis, a substantially homogeneous RF magnetic field, directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is produced in a volume defined between the at least two conductive elements. The RF resonator further comprises (b) an electronic circuitry designed and configured for providing predetermined resonance characteristics of the RF resonator, for matching an impedance of the RF resonator to an impedance of an RF transmitter electrically communicating with the electronic circuitry, and for balancing the RF magnetic field to have a substantially symmetrical profile with respect to a transverse axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Enhancement of NMR and MRI in the presence of hyperpolarized noble gases

A method of slice selective multiple quantum magnetic resonance imaging of an object is disclosed. The method is effected by implementing the steps of (a) applying a radiofrequency pulse sequence selected so as to select a coherence of an order n to the object, wherein n is zero, a positive or a negative integer other than &plusmn;1; (b) applying magnetic gradient pulses, so as to select a slice of the object to be imaged arid to create an image; and (c) acquiring a radiofrequency signal resulting from the object, so as to generate a magnetic resonance slice image of the object. The method provides slice selective multiple quantum magnetic resonance images of yet unprecedented quality in terms of contrast. The method is particularly useful for imaging connective tissues.

Method of magnetic resonance imaging

A method for depicting the anatomy and quantitative tissue strain of a biological tissue. A spatially resolved, double quantum filtered, nuclear magnetic resonance frequency spectrum is acquired from either .sup.1 H or .sup.2 H nuclei in the tissue. Values in the time domain or frequency domain representations of the free induction decay signal are mapped in 2 spatial dimensions so as to selectively depict histological layers of the tissue anatomy. The residual quadrupolar or dipolar splitting is calculated from the free induction decay signal, and then correlated with a tissue strain value by utilizing a known formula describing the correlation between residual quadrupolar or dipolar splitting and tissue strain. The tissue strain value is then mapped in two spatial dimensions.

Method for imaging vessel wall anatomy and strain

A method for preserving mammalian hearts while under ischemic conditions is accomplished by exposing the heart to a preservation solution containing a pharmacologically effective concentration of a Na.sup.+ /K.sup.+ /Cl.sup.- co-transporter blocker agent, such as Furosemide, Bumetanide or Piretanide, thereby extending survival of the heart.

Hypothermic preservation of mammalian hearts by blocking the Na.sup.+

A method of measuring the .sup.17 O isotope content and distribution in a body by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by collecting first and second nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals of the body under the same conditions of examination except that before one examination, the body is first irradiated with radio waves at the .sup.17 O resonance frequency, whereas before the other examination the body is not so irradiated. The difference in the results of the two examinations is measured to provide an NMR image of the .sup.17 O isotope distribution in the body.

Method of measuring the .sup.17 O content and distribution in a body

A method and filter particularly useful in greenhouses for optically filtering solar radiation by circulating an aqueous solution of copper salts with added chloride salts so that the chloride concentration is greater than 0.7 N to form a complex which has optical absorption properties stronger than free copper ions.

Growing community of inventors

Ramat Gan, Israel

Gil Navon