Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Lunar Corporation

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Lunar Radiation, Inc.

Phillip J Rossman

Richard L Ehman

Scott A Wiener

Jun Chen

Stephen J Riederer

Joel P Felmlee

Clifton R Haider

David G Kruger

Kevin J Glaser

Russell Edward Bruhnke

James P Potter, Sr

Stephanie K Carlson

Daivd G Kruger

Thomas C Hulshizer

David A Woodrum

M Alex Dresner

An acoustic driver system for use in applying an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) examination includes a flexible passive driver located in the bore of the magnet and in contact with the subject. A remotely located active driver is acoustically coupled to the passive driver and produces acoustic energy in response to an applied current. The passive driver produces shear waves in response to the acoustic energy and are directed into the body of the subject undergoing the MRE examination.

Passive acoustic driver for magnetic resonance elastography

A system and method for performing a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) procedure using an MRI system to monitor operation of a medical device performing a medical procedure. The driver system includes a housing, a port located in the housing and connected to a driving power, and an inertial driver moved within the housing by the driving power. A passage is formed in the housing and extends from a first opening in the housing, through the inertial driver, and to a second opening in the housing. The inertial driver receives a medical device extending through the passage and engages the medical device to impart oscillatory motion thereto as the inertial driver is moved by the driving power. The imparted oscillatory motion travels along the medical device as a waveguide to deliver the oscillatory motion to tissue receiving the medical procedure to perform the MRE procedure.

System and method for inertial magnetic resonance elastography driver for use with interventional medical device

A flexible passive acoustic driver for use in an acoustic driver system which applies an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) examination which includes receiving acoustic pressure waves from an active driver through a tube and imparts pressure waves to a subject of an imaging procedure. In one configuration, the passive driver includes a flexible bag that forms the walls of an acoustic cavity, and a structure filling material located inside the acoustic cavity provides support for the flexible bag. The flexible bag conforms to the shape of the subject and may be held in place by an elastic band. The passive driver can have an integrated or detachable non-active push-on compartment which is rigid or semi-flexible to improve the human-driver mechanical coupling and the driver energy efficiency of converting acoustic pressure to mechanical vibration applied to a subject.

Flexible passive acoustic driver for magnetic resonance elastography

The present invention is a coil array for an MRI system that is designed to improve 2D accelerated imaging of an object having significantly different fields of view in two phase-encoding directions. This is achieved by having a first set of coil elements whose sizes are tuned to optimize acceleration along a first phase-encoding direction and a second set of coil elements whose sizes are tuned to optimize acceleration along a second-phase encoding direction. Images acquired in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved signal to noise ratio at a given acceleration factor when compared to images acquired using a traditional MR coil array.

Method and apparatus for improving 2D acceleration in MRI using a new coil array design

A driver for applying an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a medical imaging procedure, such as with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), includes a passive driver located in the bore of the magnet and in direct contact with the skin of the subject. A remotely located active driver includes a linear motor and a sealed diaphragm that produces acoustic pressure waves in response to an applied current. The pressure waves are directed through a tube and into a chamber formed within the passive driver. Vibrations produced in response to the pressure waves create shear waves that are directed into the subject to aid in the imaging procedure.

Active acoustic driver for magnetic resonance elastography

A bellows-based patient breath-hold monitoring and feedback system for use in intermittent mode CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsies of the lung or upper abdomen where respiratory motion is a problem. Breath-hold monitoring and feedback with the bellows system allows a patient to perform consistent breath-holds at a preselected level, which in turn, optimizes intermittent mode CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsies of the lung or upper abdomen by allowing target lesions to be reliably visualized.

Motion monitor system for use with imaging systems

MRA data is acquired from a large, longitudinal region of interest by translating the patient through the more limited longitudinal FOV of the MRI system as a three-dimensional MRA data set are acquired. Patient table movement is controlled to track a bolus of contrast agent as it passes through the region of interest. A seamless image of the entire region of interest is reconstructed after correcting the phase of acquired MRA data to reduce the signal falloff at abutting longitudinal FOVs. Phase corrections are determined from the central DC views acquired during the scan.

Method for reducing artifacts in magnetic resonance images acquired with continuous table motion

A magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) scan is performed using an array of transducers for applying a strain wave to tissues in a region of interest. A calibration process is performed prior to the scan in which the strain wave produced by each transducer in the array is imaged using an MRE pulse sequence so that information may be acquired that enables each transducer to be properly driven during a subsequent MRE scan.

Magnetic resonance elastography using multiple drivers

A driver for use in applying an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) examination includes a passive actuator located in the bore of the magnet and in contact with the subject. A remotely located acoustic driver produces acoustic energy in response to an applied current and this energy is coupled therethrough a flexible tube to the passive actuator. A movable element in the passive actuator vibrates in response to this acoustic energy.

Pressure activated driver for magnetic resonance elastography

A method for the simultaneous acquisition of data from two transmit/receive 'birdcage' coils is described. The coils are individually RF shielded, making them insensitive to signals generated outside of each coil's volume. Each coil is designed for imaging one leg, and when used together, both legs are imaged simultaneously. In coronal or axial orientations, a small FOV around each leg can be imaged without aliasing. This results in a two-fold scan time reduction compared to a large FOV acquisition with the same spatial resolution.

Simultaneous MR data acquisition with multiple mutually desensitized RF coils

An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.

Ultrasonic densitometer device and method

An ultrasound densitometer for measuring the physical properties and integrity of a member in vivo includes a transmit transducer from which acoustic signals are transmitted, and a receive transducer which receives the acoustic signals after they have been transmitted through the member and/or a material with known acoustic properties. The densitometer allows the physical properties of a member to be measured without having to determine the distance between the transducers. The densitometer is able to measure the physical properties and integrity of the member from the transit time of acoustic signals through the member and/or by determining the absolute attenuation of at least one specific frequency component of acoustic signals transmitted through the member.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MN, United States of America

Phillip J Rossman