Abstract: Fiber optic systems with an MR compatible mouse in an MR scanner room that connects to a fiber optic computer mouse interface that is attached to a fiber optic cable that connects to a USB port of a computer in the MR control room to allow the mouse in the MR scanner room to move a cursor on a monitor in communication with the computer in the control room of an MRI suite during an MRI guided surgical procedure. The fiber optic cable(s) can be routed though a conventional RF wall waveguide and avoids the need for additional holes in the penetration panel for connectors. The fiber optic systems can also include up converters and down converters for providing fiber optic video signals from cameras in the MR scanner room to display video signal on the monitor.

Abstract: A substance delivery device includes an elongated tubular body having opposing proximal and distal ends, and a diaphragm that is in slideable sealing engagement with an inside wall of the tubular body. The diaphragm is movable in opposite first and second directions within the tubular body. A substance is contained within the tubular body between the diaphragm and the tubular body distal end, and a slave fluid is contained within the tubular body between the diaphragm and the tubular body proximal end. When pressure is exerted on the slave fluid, the slave fluid causes the diaphragm to move and eject the substance through the tubular body distal end.

Abstract: A substance delivery device includes an elongated tubular body having opposing proximal and distal ends, a plunger assembly slidably received within the tubular body at the proximal end thereof, and a hollow needle secured within the tubular body at the distal end thereof. The tubular body includes a longitudinal opening located between the proximal and distal ends that is adapted to allow a substance cartridge to be inserted within the tubular body. The plunger assembly includes a plunger that is in slideable sealing engagement with an inside wall of the tubular body, an engagement head positioned proximate an opposite end of the longitudinal opening, and a rod extending between and connecting the plunger and engagement head.

Abstract: A trajectory frame for use with surgical navigation systems includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis. An elongated guide is secured to the platform and includes opposite proximal and distal end portions and a bore that extends from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The guide is configured to removably receive various devices therein for quick release therefrom, including an optical tracking probe (which may be a universal tracker) detectable by a camera-based tracking system or an EM probe detectable by an EM navigation system, a microelectrode probe driver adapter, a drill guide and drill bit, skull fixation device and driver, and a catheter guide.

Abstract: RF/MRI compatible leads include at least one conductor that turns back on itself at least twice in a lengthwise direction, and can turn back on itself at least twice at multiple locations along its length. The at least one electrical lead can be configured so that the lead heats local tissue less than about 10 degrees Celsius (typically about 5 degrees Celsius or less) or does not heat local tissue when a patient is exposed to target RF frequencies at a peak input SAR of at least about 4 W/kg and/or a whole body average SAR of at least about 2W/kg. Related devices and methods of fabricating leads are also described.

Abstract: MRI guided cardiac interventional systems are configured to generate dynamic (interactive) visualizations of patient anatomy and medical devices during an MRI-guided procedure and may also include at least one user selectable 3-D volumetric (tissue characterization) map of target anatomy, e.g., a defined portion of the heart.

Abstract: An elongate electrical lead assembly that reduces localized heating due to MR scanner-induced currents includes a first elongate electrical lead having a series of alternating single layer coil sections and multi-layer coil sections, a second elongate electrical lead having a series of alternating single layer coil sections and multi-layer coil sections, and a third elongate electrical lead having a coiled section that coaxially surrounds the first and second electrical leads. Each multi-layer coil section of the second electrical lead is coiled around a respective single layer coil section of the first electrical lead, and each single layer coil section of the second electrical lead is coiled around a respective multi-layer coil section of the first electrical lead.

Abstract: An MRI-compatible intrabody device includes an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end portion, an opposite proximal end portion, an electrical connector interface configured to be in electrical communication with an MRI scanner, and a tracking coil assembly adjacent the shaft distal end portion. The tracking coil assembly includes a first spool having opposing first and second end walls and a second spool having opposing third and fourth end walls. The second spool is in end-to-end relationship with the first spool such that the second and third end walls are in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. A tracking coil is wound around the first spool, and a coaxial cable is wound around the second spool. An outer conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to one end of the tracking coil and the inner conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to an opposite end of the tracking coil.

Abstract: MRI-Surgical systems include: (a) at least one MRI-compatible surgical tool; (b) a circuit adapted to communicate with an MRI scanner; and (c) at least one display in communication with the circuit. The circuit electronically recognizes predefined physical characteristics of the at least one tool to automatically segment MR image data provided by the MRI scanner whereby the at least one tool constitutes a point of interface with the system. The circuit is configured to provide a User Interface that defines workflow progression for an MRI-guided surgical procedure and allows a user to select steps in the workflow, and wherein the circuit is configured to generate multi-dimensional visualizations using the predefined data of the at least one tool and data from MRI images of the patient in substantially real time during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems to facilitate MRI-guided procedures are configured to generate proximity alerts for an MRI-guided procedure associated with at least one target site and/or at least one avoid zone.

Abstract: MRI/RF compatible leads include at least one conductor, a respective conductor having at least one segment with a multi-layer stacked coil configuration. The lead can be configured so that the lead heats local tissue less than about 10 degrees Celsius (typically about 5 degrees Celsius or less) or does not heat local tissue when a patient is exposed to target RF frequencies at a peak input SAR of at least about 4 W/kg and/or a whole body average SAR of at least about 2 W/kg. Related leads and methods of fabricating leads are also described.

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: An MRI-guided interventional system for use with a patient and an interventional device includes a base, a trajectory guide frame, and a mounting device. The base is configured to be secured to a body of the patient. The trajectory guide frame includes a targeting cannula. The targeting cannula has an elongate guide bore extending axially therethrough, defining a trajectory axis, and being configured to guide placement of the interventional device. The trajectory guide frame is operable to move the targeting cannula relative to the base to position the trajectory axis to a desired intrabody trajectory to guide placement of the interventional device in vivo. A plurality of patient engagement structures are provided on the base and are configured to penetrate tissue of the body and to space the base apart from the tissue. The system further includes a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the base to the body.

Abstract: A surgical, manually operated, hand-held MRI-compatible drill for drilling though target bone of a patient includes: a housing; a ring gear held in the housing; a hand crank attached to ring gear and the housing; a pinion gear held in the housing in cooperating alignment with the ring gear; an elongate shaft attached to the pinion on one end portion and to a chuck support on an opposing end portion; a chuck attached to the chuck support held; and jaws attached to the chuck support and residing in the chuck adapted to hold a drill bit. The drill is light-weight. The components can all be polymeric.

Abstract: A coaxial cable may include an inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxially disposed about the inner conductor, and a proximal end sized and shaped for insertion into a connector. The proximal end may have an outer conductor contact coupled electrically to the outer conductor, and an extended section of the inner conductor that extends axially beyond the outer conductor contact. The extended section may include an inner conductor contact having an electrically conductive material disposed at least partially around the inner conductor, and an insulated area positioned to isolate electrically the outer conductive contact from the inner conductive contact, and having an electrically insulating material disposed at least partially around the inner conductor.

Abstract: A control unit for a medical interventional system includes a housing and a plurality of elongate control devices. The housing includes opposite first and second sides and a plurality of adjacent, spaced-apart passageways extending through the housing from the first side to the second side. Each elongate control device is operably associated with a respective one of the housing passageways, and includes an elongated first flexible member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and an elongated second flexible member slidably inserted through the bore of the first flexible member. The first flexible member has a proximal end secured to the housing and an opposite distal end. The elongated second flexible member has a proximal end that extends through a housing passageway and outwardly from the housing second side and a distal end with a connector that extends outwardly from the distal end of the first flexible member.

Abstract: Intrabody MRI-compatible medical devices with a rigid stylet body with opposing distal and proximal ends with a wall enclosing at least one cavity extending therebetween. The stylet body has first and second laterally spaced apart and opposing external longitudinally extending recessed surfaces and at least one pair of transversely spaced apart apertures extending through the wall and at least one conductor having a length that extends through the cavity then exits the cavity to define at least one external loop extending between the distal end of the stylet body and the pair of transversely spaced apart apertures. First and second legs of each loop snugly abut a respective first and second recessed surface of the stylet body to thereby cooperate with the stylet body to define a substantially cylindrical shape. The at least one conductor with the at least one loop is configured to act as an MRI antenna.

Abstract: An MRI-guided interventional system includes a trajectory guide frame for guiding an interventional device with respect to a patient in an MRI-guided procedure and including a base, a platform, a targeting cannula, and a stabilizer mechanism. The platform is mounted on the base and includes a support table and a moving plate that is translatable relative to the support table and the base along a translational axis. The targeting cannula is mounted on the moving plate for movement therewith and includes an elongate guide bore defining a trajectory axis. The stabilizer mechanism is operable to selectively control movement between the support table and the moving plate to stabilize a position of the targeting cannula with respect to the base. The frame is operable to translate the moving plate along the translational axis relative to the base to position the trajectory axis. The translational axis is transverse to the trajectory axis.

Abstract: MRI compatible localization and/or guidance systems for facilitating placement of an interventional therapy and/or device in vivo include: (a) a mount adapted for fixation to a patient; (b) a targeting cannula with a lumen configured to attach to the mount so as to be able to controllably translate in at least three dimensions; and (c) an elongate probe configured to snugly slidably advance and retract in the targeting cannula lumen, the elongate probe comprising at least one of a stimulation or recording electrode. In operation, the targeting cannula can be aligned with a first trajectory and positionally adjusted to provide a desired internal access path to a target location with a corresponding trajectory for the elongate probe. Automated systems for determining an MR scan plane associated with a trajectory and for determining mount adjustments are also described.

Abstract: An MRI-compatible base is configured to support an MRI-compatible head support frame. The base is configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner, and to extend across a width of the gantry. The base allows the head support frame to be moved to any of a plurality of locations across the width of the gantry, and allows the head support frame to rotate about two orthogonal axes so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of angles relative to the gantry.