Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the evaluation of the urethra and periurethral tissues using an MRI coil adapted for insertion into the male, female or pediatric urethra. The MRI coil may be in electrical communication with an interface circuit made up of a tuning-matching circuit, a decoupling circuit and a balun circuit. The interface circuit may also be in electrical communication with a MRI machine. In certain practices, the present invention provides methods for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the urethra and periurethral tissues, including disorders of the female pelvic floor, conditions of the prostate and anomalies of the pediatric pelvis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for steady state free precession based magnetic resonance thermometry that measures changes in temperature on a pixel by pixel basis. The method comprises generating an RF pulse sequence used to find the proton resonance frequency shift, which is proportional to temperature change, processing the resultant MRI data to measure the proton frequency shift, and converting the measured proton frequency shift into change in temperature data. Further disclosed is a method for identifying and compensating for temperature drifts due to core heating of the gradient magnet.

Abstract: A deflectable tip catheter that is safe and effective for use in a magnetic resonance imaging environment. The deflectable tip catheter is configured such that it includes a built-in antenna, such as a loopless antenna or a loop antenna. The built-in antenna permits the deflectable tip catheter to be actively tracked and/or visualized. Depending upon the specific configuration of the deflectable tip catheter, the catheter may be tracked and/or visualized as a single unit, it may be tracked and/or visualized separate and independent of other components or instruments associated with the catheter, such as pull wires, injection needles, surgical instruments, and the like. The catheters described herein include injection type catheters and/or guidance type catheters.

Abstract: A method of performing brain therapy may include placing a subject in a main magnetic field, introducing into the subject's brain a combination imaging and therapeutic probe, the probe including a magnetic resonance imaging antenna and an electrical energy application element, acquiring a first magnetic resonance image from the antenna of the combination probe, acquiring a second magnetic resonance image from a surface coil, combining the first and second magnetic resonance images to produce a composite image, positioning the combination probe within the brain with guidance from at least one of the images, and delivering electrical energy to the brain from the electrical energy application element of the combination probe thus positioned.

Abstract: A real-time imaging and visualization method and system that allows multiple field-of-view imaging on multiple receiver channels is disclosed. The method and system implement a semi-bit reversed modified phase-encoding scheme to acquire identical data over all receiver channels, and to reconstruct independently on each channel an image thereby providing multiple FOV images. The method and system provide for real-time catheter tracking where separate receiver channels collect anatomical roadmap data, guidewire data, and catheter data. The present invention uses a loopless antenna to acquire projection images thereby allowing the entire antenna and structures within its diameter of sensitivity to appear as a bright signal and a long narrow connected region. The present invention allows for very narrow FOV imaging for guidewire and catheter channels as well as full FOV imaging for roadmap image reconstruction.

Abstract: A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures is disclosed. The system in its preferred embodiment provides an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The invention is particularly applicable to catheter ablation, e.g., ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: Featured are devices, systems and methods for localized heating of a vessel as well as devices, systems and methods for MR/NMR imaging of a vessel while locally heating a portion of the vessel. More particularly featured are such devices, systems and methods for use when administering or delivering therapeutic agents including genes and/or drugs to the tissues of the vessel. Such a method includes positioning a thermal energy delivery device proximal a target site of an internal the vessel of a body and activating the thermal energy delivery device so as to heat the target site thereby locally increasing a temperature of tissue at the target site. In further embodiments, the method includes introducing a therapeutic medium to the target site over a predetermined time period, and wherein said activating occurs at least one of before, during or after said step of introducing.

Abstract: The invention describes a system, method, and means for an MRI guidewire that can be visible on an MRI, can act as an antenna and receive MRI signals from surrounding subject matter, and can allow the use of multiple interventional tools without removal of the guidewire from a subject.

Abstract: A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures is disclosed. The system in its preferred embodiment provides an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The invention is particularly applicable to catheter ablation, e.g., ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: The apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention provide for MRI sleeves, probes, and combinations thereof adapted for insertion into a subject, in order to internally image regions of the subject.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present invention provide for MRI probes adapted for insertion into a plurality of body orifices, in order to evaluate the anatomy of proximate anatomic structures, to diagnose abnormalities thereof and to treat the diagnosed abnormalities. MRI probes are described that are suitable for use in the mediastinum, in the pancreaticohepaticobiliary system, in the tracheobronchopulmonary system, in the head and neck, in the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, the vascular system, and in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of internal fluid collections.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a probe, including a first electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a second electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a first conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode, a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode, and a reactive element electrically coupling the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a magnetic resonance imaging antenna, including an inner conductor, an outer shield slideably displaceable with respect to the inner conductor, and an insulator electrically insulating the inner conductor from the outer shield. Herein is disclosed a biopsy needle antenna, including a magnetic resonance imaging antenna, having an outer shield, and an inner conductor electrically insulated from the outer shield by a dielectric; and a biopsy needle electrically connected to the inner conductor and electrically insulated from the outer shield by the dielectric. Herein is disclosed a method of obtaining a sample with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, including providing a sampling needle magnetic resonance imaging antenna, advancing the antenna to a structure from which the sample is to be taken, detecting magnetic resonance data by the antenna, and coupling the sample to the antenna.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a magnetic resonance imaging probe, having a probe shaft including a magnetic resonance antenna, and a spring tip attached to a distal end of the antenna.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to monitor delivery of nucleic acids (e.g., such as genes) to a target cell. The compositions comprise a nucleic acid delivery vehicle and a contrast agent. Preferably, the contrast agent is suitable for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The compositions can be used to monitor the efficacy and selectivity of gene delivery. The invention also provides a medical access device for delivering compositions according to the invention to a target tissue. Preferably, the medical access device comprises a perfusion-porous nucleic acid delivery balloon catheter which can be used in an interventional vascular procedure.

Abstract: A method of transesophageal magnetic resonance analysis of a patient, such as an animal or human, includes providing a loopless antenna formed from a flexible coaxial cable having an extended center conductor at the distal end thereof. A distal portion of the loopless antenna is secured within a Levin-type gastric tube. The gastric tube which receives the loopless antenna is inserted in the esophagus of the patient. A tuning, matching and decoupling circuit for the loopless antenna is employed external to the patient. The tuning, matching and decoupling circuit is electrically connected to a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The magnetic resonance imaging scanner is employed to display an image of the aorta of the patient.

Abstract: The apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention provide for MRI sleeves, probes, and combinations thereof adapted for insertion into a subject, in order to internally image regions of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the evaluation of the urethra and periurethral tissues using an MRI coil adapted for insertion into the male, female or pediatric urethra. The MRI coil may be in electrical communication with an interface circuit made up of a tuning-matching circuit, a decoupling circuit and a balun circuit. The interface circuit may also be in electrical communication with a MRI machine. In certain practices, the present invention provides methods for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the urethra and periurethral tissues, including disorders of the female pelvic floor, conditions of the prostate and anomalies of the pediatric pelvis.

Abstract: A coaxial cable which may be a magnetic resonance imaging coaxial cable is designed for enhanced safety so as to reduce the risk of excessive heating or burns to a user. The cable has an elongated axially oriented inner conductor and an axially oriented outer shield conductor in spaced relationship with respect thereto with a first dielectric material disposed therebetween. The outer shield conductor has an annular inner shield portion and segmented outer shield portions which are electrically connected to the inner shield portion. In certain preferred embodiments, a second dielectric material having a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material is disposed between the inner shield portion and the segmented outer shield portions. In one embodiment, an electrically conductive element extends between the segmented outer shield portions and the inner shield portion and terminates in spaced relationship therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides several embodiments of methods of making magnetic resonance catheter coils which include employing a flexible electrically insulative base member, depositing an electrically conductive material on the base member in a predetermined pattern to create at least one pair of generally parallel electrically conductive coil elements which are electrically connected to each other. A catheter is provided over the coil assembly. In one embodiment, a second pair of generally parallel electrically conductive coil elements are provided in order to create a quadrature coil. In this latter embodiment, the electrically insulative base member may have the first pair of coil elements created on one surface thereof and a second pair on the other with the base member subsequently being deformed to create a tubular coil having one pair of coil elements on the outside and the other pair on the inside. In some embodiments, tuning and matching circuits and decoupling circuits may be provided.