Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.

Abstract: An improved method for reconstruction of medical images includes the acquisition of k-space data through MRI imaging. Subsequently, subsets of the k-space data are transformed into intermediate images by performing an inverse Fourier transform on selected sets. These intermediate images are saved to a PACS or other memory storage, and can be recalled later to reconstruct an image. By selecting various intermediate images, a user can vary both the spatial and temporal resolution of the reconstructed image after acquisition, thereby providing adaptive reconstruction of images without the need to acquire new data.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

Abstract: A system of interchangeable specialized tabletops for medical imaging, such as tomographic imaging, is constructed with features that permit improvements in patient imaging and treatment specific to a particular anatomy of interest. Such features include cutaways, holes and removable structures, ramps and integrated devices that allow access to tissues for intervention or imaging under multiple imaging modalities. Such features are also integrated, which aids in the positioning and immobilization of patient tissues and devices relative to those tissues. Structures and methods optimally use multiple tabletops with minimal space requirements, and of show medical imaging uses involving the storage of multiple tabletops.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

Abstract: A patient supporting apparatus used in medical imaging technologies has an inventive tabletop and stretcher system. The tabletop has a gap or narrowing of prescribed location and size, for example, more than thirty percent of the width of the tabletop is removed inferior to the patient's pelvis within a region of at least 0.3 meters in length. The stretcher supports the tabletop and includes a gap or narrowing so that the access of the operator's hand, arm, and line of sight is not obstructed from the gap or narrowing of the tabletop.

Abstract: A RF coil array is provided for imaging a chest wall of a patient including a breast. The RF coil array includes a rigid cup-shaped element and a flexible, substantially flat portion. The rigid cup-shaped element is sized and dimensioned to receive a small breast, such as a post mastectomy breast or a male breast, and the flexible portion is configured to be conformed to the patient adjacent the breast to allow for imaging of the breast, and adjacent areas while facing the chest wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

Abstract: An improved method for reconstruction of medical images includes the acquisition of k-space data through MRI imaging. Subsequently, subsets of the k-space data are transformed into intermediate images by performing an inverse Fourier transform on selected sets. These intermediate images are saved to a PACS or other memory storage, and can be recalled later to reconstruct an image. By selecting various intermediate images, a user can vary both the spatial and temporal resolution of the reconstructed image after acquisition, thereby providing adaptive reconstruction of images without the need to acquire new data.

Abstract: A patient supporting apparatus used in medical imaging technologies has an inventive tabletop and stretcher system. The tabletop has a gap or narrowing of prescribed location and size, for example, more than thirty percent of the width of the tabletop is removed inferior to the patient's pelvis within a region of at least 0.3 meters in length. The stretcher supports the tabletop and includes a gap or narrowing so that the access of the operator's hand, arm, and line of sight is not obstructed from the gap or narrowing of the tabletop.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.