Abstract: An MRI-compatible catheter reduces localized heating due to MR scanner-induced currents and includes a shaft having opposite distal and proximal end portions. One or more RF tracking coils are positioned adjacent the distal end portion and each includes a conductive lead that electrically connects the RF tracking coil to an MRI scanner. Each lead includes a series of back and forth segments along its length. The catheter includes one or more sensing electrodes at the shaft distal end portion, each electrically connected to a resistor having high impedance. A sheath surrounds a portion of the elongated shaft and includes at least one RF shield coaxially disposed therewithin. Each RF shield includes elongated inner and outer conductors and an elongated dielectric layer of MRI compatible material sandwiched between the inner and outer conductors. The inner and outer conductors are electrically connected at one end and electrically isolated at an opposite end.

Abstract: An MRI-guided medical device includes an elongated sheath, an elongated dilator, and an elongated needle. The sheath has a distal end, an opposite proximal end, and a central lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The sheath comprises MRI-compatible material and includes a tracking member located adjacent to the sheath distal end that is visible in an MRI image. The dilator comprises MRI-compatible material and is movably disposed within the sheath lumen. A distal end of the dilator is configured to extend outwardly from the sheath distal end and dilator includes at least one tracking member that is visible in an MRI image. The needle is movably disposed within the dilator lumen and is movable between stored and operative positions relative to the dilator. An RF shield may be coaxially disposed within the elongated sheath so as to surround a portion of the sheath central lumen.

Abstract: An MRI-compatible catheter includes an elongated flexible shaft having opposite distal and proximal end portions. A handle is attached to the proximal end portion and includes an actuator in communication with the shaft distal end portion that is configured to articulate the shaft distal end portion. The distal end portion of the shaft may include an ablation tip and includes at least one RF tracking coil positioned adjacent the ablation tip that is electrically connected to an MRI scanner. The at least one RF tracking coil is electrically connected to a circuit that reduces coupling when the at least one RF tracking coil is exposed to an MRI environment. Each RF tracking coil is a 1-10 turn solenoid coil, and has a length along the longitudinal direction of the catheter of between about 0.25 mm and about 4 mm.

Abstract: Elongate intrabody MRI-antenna probes include opposing distal and proximal portions. The distal portion includes at least one multi-turn conductor arranged as a stack of substantially flat loops, each with a substantially rectangular elongate shape. A flat loop can reside on each of a plurality of adjacent vertically stacked substantially planar layers, the flat loops cooperate to define a MRI receive antenna.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil array (50) includes at least first (501) and second (502) receive coils. A flux pipe (52) includes electrically connected first (2521) and second (2522) loop coils. The first (2521) and second (2522) loop coils are coupled to the respective first and second receive coils. The flux pipe (52) reduces mutual inductance between the first (501) and second (502) receive coils.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance examination includes a radio frequency receive coil (50) and adjustable tuning circuitry (51) for adjusting the resonant frequency of the receive coil. The apparatus also includes a preamplifier (29) which amplifies signals generated by the receive coil. An adjustable feedback circuit (31) alters an effective Q of the receive coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance examination includes a radio frequency receive coil (50) and adjustable tuning circuitry (51) for adjusting the resonant frequency of the receive coil. The apparatus also includes a preamplifier (29) which amplifies signals generated by the receive coil. An adjustable feedback circuit (31) alters an effective Q of the receive coil.

Abstract: An MRI-guided medical device includes an elongated sheath, an elongated dilator, and an elongated needle. The sheath has a distal end, an opposite proximal end, and a central lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The sheath comprises MRI-compatible material and includes a tracking member located adjacent to the sheath distal end that is visible in an MRI image. The dilator comprises MRI-compatible material and is movably disposed within the sheath lumen. A distal end of the dilator is configured to extend outwardly from the sheath distal end and dilator includes at least one tracking member that is visible in an MRI image. The needle is movably disposed within the dilator lumen and is movable between stored and operative positions relative to the dilator. An RF shield may be coaxially disposed within the elongated sheath so as to surround a portion of the sheath central lumen.

Abstract: An MRI-compatible catheter includes an elongated flexible shaft having opposite distal and proximal end portions. A handle is attached to the proximal end portion and includes an actuator in communication with the shaft distal end portion that is configured to articulate the shaft distal end portion. The distal end portion of the shaft may include an ablation tip and includes at least one RF tracking coil positioned adjacent the ablation tip that is electrically connected to an MRI scanner. The at least one RF tracking coil is electrically connected to a circuit that reduces coupling when the at least one RF tracking coil is exposed to an MRI environment. Each RF tracking coil is a 1-10 turn solenoid coil, and has a length along the longitudinal direction of the catheter of between about 0.25 mm and about 4 mm.

Abstract: The systems include a display with a User Interface in communication with a circuit, the display is configured to display a patient model/map or model of target anatomical structure. The User Interface is configured to allow a user to select at least one target site (e.g., ablation site) on the model/map whereby scan planes for a corresponding location in 3-D space for the selected target ablation site are pre-set for future use. The circuit can be configured to automatically direct the MRI Scanner to use the pre-set scan planes to obtain MR image data when an intrabody device such as an ablation catheter is at the location that corresponds with the selected target site.

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: The disclosure describes cable management systems that provide adjustable lengths of cables that connect to various electronic medical or surgical tools. The systems can reduce the lengths of loose or hanging cables and define routes that preventing cross-over, looping and/or bunching of loose lengths of long cables.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a primary magnet and a secondary magnet operable to produce magnetic fields within a sample being imaged. The MRI system further includes at least one RF coil that is operable to receive electromagnetic frequencies from the sample. The RF coil is formed from tubing that serves as a cooling conduit through which flows a cooling fluid provided by a cooling source. The cooling fluid cools the RF coils to improve imaging of the sample.

Abstract: The disclosure describes medical mats that provide electrical paths with connectors that connect to various electronic medical or surgical tools. The medical mats can reduce the lengths of cables and define routes that preventing cross-over, looping and/or bunching of loose lengths of long cables.

Abstract: Elongate intrabody MRI-antenna probes include opposing distal and proximal portions. The distal portion includes at least one multi-turn conductor arranged as a stack of substantially flat loops, each with a substantially rectangular elongate shape. A flat loop can reside on each of a plurality of adjacent vertically stacked substantially planar layers, the flat loops cooperate to define a MRI receive antenna.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil array (50) includes at least first (501) and second (502) receive coils. A flux pipe (52) includes electrically connected first (2521) and second (2522) loop coils. The first (2521) and second (2522) loop coils are coupled to the respective first and second receive coils. The flux pipe (52) reduces mutual inductance between the first (501) and second (502) receive coils.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a primary magnet and a secondary magnet operable to produce magnetic fields within a sample being imaged. The MRI system further includes at least one RF coil that is operable to receive electromagnetic frequencies from the sample. The RF coil is formed from tubing that serves as a cooling conduit through which flows a cooling fluid provided by a cooling source. The cooling fluid cools the RF coils to improve imaging of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil array using separable imaging coil elements and a cable holder for connecting the imaging coil elements to the MRI scanner. Each imaging coil element has a plug shaped connector, which is used for separably connecting to a mating receptacle interface on the cable holder. Each cable holder is pre-formed for a particular anatomy and has receptacle interfaces that are located for optimal placement of imaging coil elements. Ultra-low input impedance preamplifiers are used for minimizing interaction between imaging coil elements. This gives users greater freedom in optimizing position of individual imaging coil elements, as overlapping of adjacent coil elements is not required. Imaging coil elements from one coil array can be easily removed and used in assembling a different coil array.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil array using separable imaging coil elements and a cable holder for connecting the imaging coil elements to the MRI scanner. Each imaging coil element has a plug shaped connector, which is used for separably connecting to a mating receptacle interface on the cable holder. Each cable holder is pre-formed for a particular anatomy and has receptacle interfaces that are located for optimal placement of imaging coil elements. Ultra-low input impedance preamplifiers are used for minimizing interaction between imaging coil elements. This gives users greater freedom in optimizing position of individual imaging coil elements, as overlapping of adjacent coil elements is not required. Imaging coil elements from one coil array can be easily removed and used in assembling a different coil array.

Abstract: Electromagnetic body coil for magnetic resonance tomographic measurements, whereby the body coil has a three-dimensional coil shape and is assembled from at least two partial coils which are capable of being brought into a state of detachable plug-in connection with one another by means of an electrical plug-in connection arrangement and whereby a first partial coil is located inside a cushion, that serves as a patient resting aid, and the second partial coil is located outside this cushion.