Abstract: A steering device and navigation system for interventional procedures. Included are devices, systems, and methods that incorporate a steering device which consists of an expandable structure that can be controlled to spread out within the vessel lumen, or cardiac chamber, and may apply circumferential force to the tissue. This structure, once spread out, can anchor relative to the anatomy and provides support for an internal catheter through a set of strings connected to the internal catheter. The internal catheter is configured to allow an interventional device, such as a guidewire or catheter, to pass through it. Using the strings that are connected to actuation mechanisms within the device's handle, the internal catheter can be manipulated to allow 10 controlling the position of a device that runs within it or is connected to it and can be used for the purpose of navigation of devices and obtaining measurements from known positions.

Abstract: A steering device and navigation system for interventional procedures. Included are devices, systems, and methods that incorporate a steering device which consists of an expandable structure that can be controlled to spread out within the vessel lumen, or cardiac chamber, and may apply circumferential force to the tissue. This structure, once spread out, can anchor relative to the anatomy and provides support for an internal catheter through a set of strings connected to the internal catheter. The internal catheter is configured to allow an interventional device, such as a guidewire or catheter, to pass through it. Using the strings that are connected to actuation mechanisms within the device's handle, the internal catheter can be manipulated to allow controlling the position of a device that runs within it or is connected to it and can be used for the purpose of navigation of devices and obtaining measurements from known positions.

Abstract: A mechanism for actuation and control of a device, such as an interventional device, in two dimensions via a cable-driven arrangement. The mechanism can include multiple spring-loaded cam followers and a conical control surface acting as the cam. The translation of the conical cam results in the perpendicular linear motion of the cam followers. With the cables coupled to the cam followers from one end, and to the device of interest at the other end, the motion of the followers results in cable displacements that lead to the manipulation of the interventional device. Adjustment of the cable lengths are made possible with a proportion determined by the cam. This allows maintaining a set tension and while avoiding sagging. The resulting system can be an entirely passive mechanism in some embodiments that allows for accurate device position control, position estimation, and haptic feedback.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for visualizing thermal ablation lesions by imaging specific chemical compounds that are created during thermal ablation procedures, such as cardiac ablation procedures. When a cardiac ablation procedure is performed, a central area of coagulative necrosis is created at the treatment site. This necrotic region is surrounded by layers of tissues with ultra-structural and electrophysiological changes. Two particular changes include the denaturation of proteins and the formation of ferric iron containing chemical compounds, such as methemoglobin and metmyoglobin. The formation of and distribution of such chemical compounds can be imaged with the appropriate systems and methods. Accordingly, these chemical compounds can be utilized as biomarkers that indicate the presence and physical characteristics of thermal ablation lesions. Imaging can be performed using magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, or photoacoustic imaging, as examples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning peripheral endovascular, and other, procedures based on magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”] are provided. Mechanical properties of lesions, morphology, and vessel patency are characterized based on non-contrast angiography and ultrashort echo time (“UTE”] images. The methods described in the present disclosure also provide improved visualization of the vascular tree and microchannels.

Abstract: A steering device and navigation system for interventional procedures. Included are devices, systems, and methods that incorporate a steering device which consists of an expandable structure that can be controlled to spread out within the vessel lumen, or cardiac chamber, and may apply circumferential force to the tissue. This structure, once spread out, can anchor relative to the anatomy and provides support for an internal catheter through a set of strings connected to the internal catheter. The internal catheter is configured to allow an interventional device, such as a guidewire or catheter, to pass through it. Using the strings that are connected to actuation mechanisms within the device's handle, the internal catheter can be manipulated to allow controlling the position of a device that runs within it or is connected to it and can be used for the purpose of navigation of devices and obtaining measurements from known positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting collagen within tissue using magnetic resonance imaging. In some embodiments, pulse sequences are employed to measure signals at multiple TE values including ultra-short echo times, and the TE dependence of the measured signal is fitted to a mathematical function including at least two decay terms, where the first (initial) decay term is modulated and is associated with the presence of collagen. In another example embodiment, spectroscopy or spectroscopic imaging is employed to measure the free induction decay within at least one region of interest, and the time-dependence of the measured signal is fitted to a mathematical function including at least two decay terms, where the first decay term is modulated and is associated with the presence of collagen. In some embodiments, the methods described herein may be employed for the detection and/or assessment of myocardial fibrosis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting collagen within tissue using magnetic resonance imaging. In some embodiments, pulse sequences are employed to measure signals at multiple TE values including ultra-short echo times, and the TE dependence of the measured signal is fitted to a mathematical function including at least two decay terms, where the first (initial) decay term is modulated and is associated with the presence of collagen. In another example embodiment, spectroscopy or spectroscopic imaging is employed to measure the free induction decay within at least one region of interest, and the time-dependence of the measured signal is fitted to a mathematical function including at least two decay terms, where the first decay term is modulated and is associated with the presence of collagen. In some embodiments, the methods described herein may be employed for the detection and/or assessment of myocardial fibrosis.

Abstract: A series of MR image frames are acquired that depict a subject's heart at successive cardiac phases. Delayed enhancement of infarcted myocardium is depicted in some of the image frames by administering a contrast agent prior to data acquisition. Data acquisition is performed in a single breath hold by producing an RF inversion pulse followed by segments of SSFP pulse sequences during a succession of cardiac gated heart beats. The acquired MR image frames depict contrast between blood, viable myocardium and nonviable myocardium, and they depict left ventricle wall thickness and wall thickening throughout the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for visualizing thermal ablation lesions by imaging specific chemical compounds that are created during thermal ablation procedures, such as cardiac ablation procedures. When a cardiac ablation procedure is performed, a central area of coagulative necrosis is created at the treatment site. This necrotic region is surrounded by layers of tissues with ultra-structural and electrophysiological changes. Two particular changes include the denaturation of proteins and the formation of ferric iron containing chemical compounds, such as methemoglobin and metmyoglobin. The formation of and distribution of such chemical compounds can be imaged with the appropriate systems and methods. Accordingly, these chemical compounds can be utilized as biomarkers that indicate the presence and physical characteristics of thermal ablation lesions. Imaging can be performed using magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, or photoacoustic imaging, as examples.

Abstract: A method for automatic left ventricle segmentation of cine short-axis magnetic resonance (MR) images that does not require manually drawn initial contours, trained statistical shape models, or gray-level appearance models is provided. More specifically, the method employs a roundness metric to automatically locate the left ventricle. Epicardial contour segmentation is simplified by mapping the pixels from Cartesian to approximately polar coordinates. Furthermore, region growing is utilized by distributing seed points around the endocardial contour to find the LV myocardium and, thus, the epicardial contour. This is a robust technique for images where the epicardial edge has poor contrast. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is utilized to smooth both the determined endocardial and epicardial contours. In addition to determining endocardial and epicardial contours, the method also determines the contours of papillary muscles and trabeculations.

Abstract: A series of MR image frames are acquired that depict a subject's heart at successive cardiac phases. Delayed enhancement of infarcted myocardium is depicted in some of the image frames by administering a contrast agent prior to data acquisition. Data acquisition is performed in a single breath hold by producing an RF inversion pulse followed by segments of SSFP pulse sequences during a succession of cardiac gated heart beats. The acquired MR image frames depict contrast between blood, viable myocardium and nonviable myocardium, and they depict left ventricle wall thickness and wall thickening throughout the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rendering for display forward-looking image data. The apparatus includes rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collection device, comprising a data input unit configured to receive the image data; and an image data processing unit configured to rasterize the image data onto a projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image, thereby giving the appearance of three-dimensions when displayed. The method includes a method of rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collecting device, comprising receiving the image data; and rasterizing the image data onto a projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image, thereby giving the appearance of three dimensions when displayed.

Abstract: A method for determining the position and/or orientation of a catheter or other interventional access device or surgical probe using phase patterns in a magnetic resonance (MR) signal. In the method of the invention, global two-dimensional correlations are used to identify the phase pattern around individual microcoils, which is unique for each microcoil's position and orientation. In one embodiment the position and orientation of a catheter tip can be reliably tracked using low resolution MR scans clinically useful for real-time interventional MRI applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rendering for display forward-looking image data. The apparatus includes rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collection device, comprising a data input unit configured to receive the image data; and an image data processing unit configured to rasterize the image data onto a projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image, thereby giving the appearance of three-dimensions when displayed. The method includes a method of rendering for display image data from a forward-looking conical section of tissue collected by an image data collecting device, comprising receiving the image data; and rasterizing the image data onto a projected three-dimensional geometric model to produce a rasterized image, thereby giving the appearance of three dimensions when displayed.

Abstract: An MRI system and method for acquiring motion-compensated MR image data of an object. The MRI system includes an MRI device for generating a uniform magnetic field through the object, magnetic field gradients for imaging a portion of the object and an RF excitation field for evoking NMR response signals from the object; a computer for controlling the operation of the MRI system; a motion compensation module for generating a plurality of navigator waveforms for evoking a corresponding plurality of navigator echoes from the portion of the object while the object is being imaged, and processing the plurality of navigator echoes by determining a subset of similar navigator echoes and removing rigid-body translation from the NMR response signals associated with the subset of similar navigator echoes; and, interface circuitry for generating the magnetic gradient, RF and navigator waveforms and sampling the NMR response signals and the plurality of navigator echoes.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses direct, continuous, unaliased, real-time imaging for motion compensation. Unaliased, real-time two dimensional (2D) images are acquired continuously of the anatomy of interest. The images are compared to at least one template to using a correlation coefficient technique to select images corresponding to minimal motion and distortion. A spatial grid of templates can be used to cover an anatomy of interest. Multiple temporal templates can be used to create a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images. The selected images are used to provide a high-resolution image, preferably a three dimensional (3D) image.

Abstract: Realtime magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses cardiac and respiratory monitoring tools to avoid or minimize motion-induced image artifacts. A series of initial MR images are associated with the physiological data from the cardiac, respiratory, or other monitoring tools. The tools provide physiological data in conjunction with anatomic or spatial information such that the optimal gating times (i.e., for acquiring MR image data) in the cardiac and respiratory cycles can be identified and the optimal acquisition durations are identified relative to the physiological data. The process then uses MRI with the identified optimal gating times and acquisition durations to produce a high quality output image of the anatomy of interest. The high quality image can be one or more of the following: a two-dimensional (2D) with a higher signal-to-noise ratio (i.e.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses direct, continuous, unaliased, real-time imaging for motion compensation. Unaliased, real-time two dimensional (2D) images are acquired continuously of the anatomy of interest. The images are compared to at least one template to using a correlation coefficient technique to select images corresponding to minimal motion and distortion. A spatial grid of templates can be used to cover an anatomy of interest. Multiple temporal templates can be used to create a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images. The selected images are used to provide a high-resolution image, preferably a three dimensional (3D) image.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses direct, continuous, unaliased, real-time imaging for motion compensation. Unaliased, real-time two dimensional (2D) images are acquired continuously of the anatomy of interest. The images are compared to at least one template to using a correlation coefficient technique to select images corresponding to minimal motion and distortion. A spatial grid of templates can be used to cover an anatomy of interest. Multiple temporal templates can be used to create a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images. The selected images are used to provide a high-resolution image, preferably a three dimensional (3D) image.