Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for computed tomography (CT) imaging technologies that are tailored to specific regions of interest and provide a reduced radiation dose. An imaging system for cardiac CT comprises a beam-shaping filtration and exposure control technologies specifically tailored to imaging of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for combining assessment of different factors of dyssynchrony into a comprehensive, non-invasive toolbox for treating patients with a CRT therapy device. The toolbox provides high spatial resolution, enabling assessment of regional function, as well as enabling derivation of global metrics to improve patient response and selection for CRT therapy. The method allows for quantitative assessment and estimation of mechanical contraction patterns, tissue viability, and venous anatomy from CT scans combined with electrical activation patterns from Body Surface Potential Mapping (BSPM). This multi-modal method is therefore capable of integrating electrical, mechanical, and structural information about cardiac structure and function in order to guide lead placement of CRT therapy devices. The method generates regional electro-mechanical properties overlaid with cardiac venous distribution and scar tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for real-time characterization of spatially-resolved tissue optical properties using OCT/LCI. Imaging data are acquired, processed, displayed and stored in real-time. The resultant tissue optical properties are then used to determine the diagnostic threshold and to determine the OCT/LCI detection sensitivity and specificity. Color-coded optical property maps are constructed to provide direct visual cues for surgeons to differentiate tumor versus non-tumor tissue. These optical property maps can be overlaid with the structural imaging data and/or Doppler results for efficient data display. Finally, the imaging system can also be integrated with existing systems such as tracking and surgical microscopes. An aiming beam is generally provided for interventional guidance. For intraoperative use, a cap/spacer may also be provided to maintain the working distance of the probe, and also to provide biopsy capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for combining assessment of different factors of dyssynchrony into a comprehensive, non-invasive toolbox for treating patients with a CRT therapy device. The toolbox provides high spatial resolution, enabling assessment of regional function, as well as enabling derivation of global metrics to improve patient response and selection for CRT therapy. The method allows for quantitative assessment and estimation of mechanical contraction patterns, tissue viability, and venous anatomy from CT scans combined with electrical activation patterns from Body Surface Potential Mapping (BSPM). This multi-modal method is therefore capable of integrating electrical, mechanical, and structural information about cardiac structure and function in order to guide lead placement of CRT therapy devices. The method generates regional electro-mechanical properties overlaid with cardiac venous distribution and scar tissue.

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: 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: A method for fat-suppressed imaging is disclosed. Such a method may include storing a first spectral component of an echo signal formed at TR/2 from a sample, suppressing a second spectral component of the echo signal at TR/2, re-exciting the stored spectral component after suppressing the second spectral component, and producing an image of the sample based on the re-excited stored spectral component.

Abstract: Phase contrast magnetic resonance images are produced using interleaved spiral k-space scanning with a bipolar phase contrast gradient. Spiral scanning is configured so that acquisition impulse response defines a central alias free portion in a partial field of view, and signal acquisition is arranged so that moving spins are contained with this central alias free portion. First and second signals are acquired with alternate phase encodings, and a complex difference of the acquired signals is obtained. The complex difference is substantially free of aliasing artifacts within the central portion.

Abstract: An MRI imaging system includes at least one processor and a plurality of coils to acquire a plurality of k-space samples of a target to image. The system includes a machine-readable media comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in determining a plurality of different regularization matrices for a plurality of different regions of an image of the target. The regularization matrices are applied in the determination of a plurality of unmixing matrices for the regions. The unmixing matrices are applied to produce the image without ghost artifacts, from a plurality of MRI images produced from the plurality of k-space samples and each comprising ghost artifacts.

Abstract: A T2 preparation sequence uses a segmented BIR-4 adiabatic pulse with two substantially equal delays and is insensitive to B1 field variations and can simultaneously suppress fat signals with low specific absorption rate (SAR). An adiabatic reverse half passage pulse is applied followed by a predetermined delay. An adiabatic full passage pulse is applied followed by a substantially equal delay, followed by an adiabatic half passage pulse. Fat signal suppression is achieved by increasing or decreasing either the first delay or the second delay.

Abstract: A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures includes 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, such as ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter may further include an ablation tip, and be used as an intracardiac device to deliver energy to selected areas of tissue and visualize the resulting ablation lesions. The antenna utilized in the combined electrophysiology and imaging catheter for receiving MR signals is preferably of the coaxial or “loopless” type.

Abstract: An MRI imaging system includes at least one processor and a plurality of coils to acquire a plurality of k-space samples of a target to image. The system includes a machine-readable media comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in determining a plurality of different regularization matrices for a plurality of different regions of an image of the target. The regularization matrices are applied in the determination of a plurality of unmixing matrices for the regions. The unmixing matrices are applied to produce the image without ghost artifacts, from a plurality of MRI images produced from the plurality of k-space samples and each comprising ghost artifacts.

Abstract: A ghost artifact cancellation technique is disclosed. Phased array combining is used to cancel ghosts caused by a variety of distortion mechanisms, including space-variant distortions, such as local flow or off-resonance. The technique uses a constrained optimization that optimizes signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subject to the constraint of nulling ghost artifacts at known locations. In one aspect multi-coil, k-space data is passed through a converter to convert the k-space data to image domain. After the conversion, the images contain ghost artifacts. The images are then passed through one or more phased array combiners. Each phased array combiner separates the superimposed ghosts to produce an image without ghosts. These images may then be aligned by means of shifting and combined by a variety of means to improve the final image quality. In another aspect, the phase encode order is varied in time to produce ghosts with time varying phase.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accelerating magnetic resonance imaging by decreasing the number of sequential phase encodes (undersampling). Image reconstruction of undersampled k-space data can cause ghost artifacts to be produced in the resulting sequence of images. A combination of temporal and spatial filters are used to substantially suppress the ghost artifacts. Additionally, the spatial filter receives spatial filter coefficients used in the filtering process. The spatial filter coefficients are adaptively or dynamically generated so that the coefficients are provided to the spatial filter while generating the sequence of images.

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 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.