Abstract: A substantially metallic magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI)-tracked injection needle device is disclosed. The magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI)-tracked injection needle device includes a luer syringe; an electrical connector that is at least partially housed in an interior space of a distal end of the luer syringe; an electrical adaptor coupled to the electrical connector; and an injection needle comprising a shaft having a needle distal end and a needle proximal end, the shaft comprising concentric metal tubes comprising an inner metal tube and an outer metal tube, the needle proximal end coupled to the electrical adaptor and the needle distal end comprising one or more tracking coils arranged between the inner metal tube and the outer metal tube.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of analyzing tissue using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible tissue analysis device that includes radio¬frequency (RF) tracking and imaging elements. Related kits, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic-resonance-imaging-compatible (MRI-compatible) cardiac defibrillator includes: a defibrillator generator; first and second electric wires, each being electrically connected to said defibrillator generator; first and second defibrillation pads, each being electrically connected to a respective one of said first and second electric wires; and a low pass filter electrically connected between said defibrillator generator and said first and second electric wires to prevent a noise in an MRI image caused by a radiofrequency interference from the defibrillator as well as protect a patient and the defibrillator from MRI radiofrequency imaging signals, wherein said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency set such that differential mode noise at an MRI Larmor frequency is in an attenuated band while a system-test signal by said defibrillator generator is in a pass band of said low pass filter.

Abstract: A magnetic-resonance-imaging-compatible (MRI-compatible) cardiac defibrillator includes: a defibrillator generator; first and second electric wires, each being electrically connected to said defibrillator generator; first and second defibrillation pads, each being electrically connected to a respective one of said first and second electric wires; and a low pass filter electrically connected between said defibrillator generator and said first and second electric wires to prevent a noise in an MRI image caused by a radiofrequency interference from the defibrillator as well as protect a patient and the defibrillator from MRI radiofrequency imaging signals, wherein said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency set such that differential mode noise at an MRI Larmor frequency is in an attenuated band while a system-test signal by said defibrillator generator is in a pass band of said low pass filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for generating images using short tau inversion recovery, ultrashort echo time (STIR-UTE) MRI sequences. The STIR-UTE MRI sequences can be used to generate images that can differentiate between regions that are at temperatures that are either lethal or non-lethal to cell life. Thus, these sequences can be beneficial for implementations such as in monitoring cryoablation procedures.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a catheter solution that would maintain MRI-compatible metallic braiding or metallic covering on a surface of the catheter, and that also prevents cables disposed in an interior lumen of the catheter from effectively propagating currents induced from external signal transmissions, which could cause a rise in temperature of the cables themselves and of tissues surrounding the catheter. The present invention uses metals which are non-ferromagnetic and not highly paramagnetic, so they do not cause large susceptibility artifacts in the MRI field. The construction of the braid prevents most of the RF fields from penetrating into the anterior of the catheter. Therefore, there is no need or a reduced need to add heat amelioration components to each electrical cable inside the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an electrocardiogram (ECG) cable suitable for use inside a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) operation. In particular, the present invention relates to a patient safe (MRI-conditional) 12-lead ECG cable capable of use inside an MR scanner during an MRI scan. The ECG cable does not heat up to a degree that would burn a patient undergoing an MRI scan, but also enables the conventional 12-lead ECG electrode placement required for diagnostic monitoring of the patient. Specifically, the ECG cable electrodes can be placed on a patient in the traditional configuration as 12-lead ECG cable designed for use outside of an MR scanner and take diagnostic level readings, during operation of an MR device or system. Additionally, the cable provides a continuous shield which maintains zero emissions while satisfying defibrillation requirements.

Abstract: A magnetic-resonance-imaging-compatible (MRI-compatible) cardiac defibrillator includes: a defibrillator generator; first and second electric wires, each being electrically connected to said defibrillator generator; first and second defibrillation pads, each being electrically connected to a respective one of said first and second electric wires; and a low pass filter electrically connected between said defibrillator generator and said first and second electric wires to prevent a noise in an MRI image caused by a radiofrequency interference from the defibrillator as well as protect a patient and the defibrillator from MRI radiofrequency imaging signals, wherein said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency set such that differential mode noise at an MRI Larmor frequency is in an attenuated band while a system-test signal by said defibrillator generator is in a pass band of said low pass filter.

Abstract: A catheter device for deploying a local magnetic resonance imaging coil is provided. The catheter device comprises an inner shaft, an outer sheath, and a local magnetic resonance imaging coil. The outer sheath includes a plurality of slits extending in an axial direction proximate a distal end of the outer sheath. The slits separate a portion of the outer sheath into a plurality of struts. The local magnetic resonance imaging coil is disposed between the inner shaft and the outer sheath and is coupled to the plurality of struts. Moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft expands the catheter device from a contracted position to an expanded position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating time-dependent voltages that are induced in electrophysiological monitoring systems by magnetic field gradients generated during a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) scan are provided. The gradient-induced voltages are subsequently removed from signals acquired with the electrophysiological monitoring system during an MRI scan. As an example, the electrophysiological monitoring system can include an electrocardiography (“ECG”) system, an electroencephalography (“EEG”) system, an electromyography (“EMG”) system, a voltage device tracking (“VDT”) system, and so on. The gradient-induced voltages are estimated using a two-step procedure in which a learning algorithm is used to determine fitting parameters to be used in a model of the gradient-induced voltages. The fitting parameters are then used together with the model to extract the gradient-induced voltages from signals acquired during an MRI scan. The gradient-induced voltages can then be removed from the acquired signals.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for providing a non-invasive and continuous quantitative measurement of left ventricular stroke volume (“SV”) and flow volume during a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) scan. In general, the method estimates quantitative measurements of SV from magnetohydrodynamic (“MHD”] voltages generated by blood flowing through the subject's vasculature while the subject is positioned in the magnetic field of an MRI system. A rapid calibration technique is provided to convert MHD voltages to estimates of blood flow, from which quantitative measurements of SV can be computed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating time-dependent voltages that are induced in electrophysiological monitoring systems by magnetic field gradients generated during a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) scan are provided. The gradient-induced voltages are subsequently removed from signals acquired with the electrophysiological monitoring system during an MRI scan. As an example, the electrophysiological monitoring system can include an electrocardiography (“ECG”) system, an electroencephalography (“EEG”) system, an electromyography (“EMG”) system, a voltage device tracking (“VDT”) system, and so on. The gradient-induced voltages are estimated using a two-step procedure in which a learning algorithm is used to determine fitting parameters to be used in a model of the gradient-induced voltages. The fitting parameters are then used together with the model to extract the gradient- induced voltages from signals acquired during an MRI scan. The gradient-induced voltages can then be removed from the acquired signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an electrocardiogram (ECG) cable suitable for use inside a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) operation. In particular, the present invention relates to a patient safe (MRI-conditional) 12-lead ECG cable capable of use inside an MR scanner during an MRI scan. The ECG cable does not heat up to a degree that would burn a patient undergoing an MRI scan, but also enables the conventional 12-lead ECG electrode placement required for diagnostic monitoring of the patient. Specifically, the ECG cable electrodes can be placed on a patient in the traditional configuration as 12-lead ECG cable designed for use outside of an MR scanner and take diagnostic level readings, during operation of an MR device or system. Additionally, the cable provides a continuous shield which maintains zero emissions while satisfying defibrillation requirements.

Abstract: A system and method of use for a probe is disclosed that includes a self-expanding housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and constructed for insertion into a subject to be imaged. A plurality of RF coils is attached to the housing to acquire MR data.

Abstract: A system and method of use for a probe is disclosed that includes a self-expanding housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and constructed for insertion into a subject to be imaged. A plurality of RF coils is attached to the housing to acquire MR data.

Abstract: A composite system for use in conjunction with an MR-imaging procedure. One composite system includes a fully-metallic filament, such as a needle or guide-wire, equipped with flat MR RF-receiver microcoil disposed such that a normal to the coil's plane is substantially transverse to the filament's axis. The microcoil is electrically connected to external device to register change of position and orientation of the tip during the navigation of the filament. Alternative composite system includes a filament made from different materials. The very tip includes diamagnetic and non-metallic tube tightly fit around geometrically-modified portion of the main body and carries at least one microcoil electrically connected to external device to register change of position and orientation of the tip during the filament navigation. Data representing co-registration of the position and/or orientation of filament is fed back to the system to improve navigation accuracy and precision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing electromagnetic fields induced in cables and electronic medical devices by a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system are provided. The apparatus includes a cable assembly constructed as a conductive wire wrapped around a paramagnetic core. The paramagnetic core may include a tube filled with a paramagnetic material, such as a gadolinium-based solution or a liquid in which iron oxide particles are suspended.

Abstract: A system and method for MR imaging includes a computer programmed to determine first and second view-ordering sequences. The first and second view-ordering sequences comprise values corresponding to respective views of first and second k-space data sets, respectively, wherein the values corresponding to a central view of each the first and second k-space data sets are positioned such that acquisition of k-space data in each central view is acquired from a first and second anatomical region, respectively, as a contrast agent passes therethrough. The positions of the values corresponding to the central views of the first and second k-space data sets within the respective sequences are different. The computer is further programmed to acquire MR data according to the first and second view-ordering sequences over a series of cardiac cycles to fill data in the first and second k-space data sets, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for MR imaging includes a computer programmed to determine first and second view-ordering sequences. The first and second view-ordering sequences comprise values corresponding to respective views of first and second k-space data sets, respectively, wherein the values corresponding to a central view of each the first and second k-space data sets are positioned such that acquisition of k-space data in each central view is acquired from a first and second anatomical region, respectively, as a contrast agent passes therethrough. The positions of the values corresponding to the central views of the first and second k-space data sets within the respective sequences are different. The computer is further programmed to acquire MR data according to the first and second view-ordering sequences over a series of cardiac cycles to fill data in the first and second k-space data sets, respectively.