U.S. patent application number 16/202558 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-28 for systems and methods for correcting measurement artifacts in mr thermometry.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shahar LEVY RINOTT. Invention is credited to Yoav LEVY, Shahar RINOTT.
Application Number | 20200166593 16/202558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69005756 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200166593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RINOTT; Shahar ; et
al. |
May 28, 2020 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CORRECTING MEASUREMENT ARTIFACTS IN MR
THERMOMETRY
Abstract
Systems and methods for performing magnetic resonance (MR)
thermometry include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit and a
controller in communication with the MRI unit and configured to
cause the MRI unit to acquire one or more baseline phase images of
an imaging region and one or more treatment phase images of the
imaging region subsequent to a temperature change of a subregion
within the imaging region, electronically generate a thermal map
pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the subregion based
at least in part on the acquired baseline phase image and treatment
phase image, computationally predict the temperature change of the
subregion based at least in part on energy deposited in the
subregion during treatment without reference to the generated
thermal map, and determine whether the thermal map is inaccurate
based at least in part on the temperature change of the subregion
indicated by the thermal map and the predicted temperature change
of the subregion.
Inventors: |
RINOTT; Shahar; (Haifa,
IL) ; LEVY; Yoav; (Hinanit, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RINOTT; Shahar
LEVY; Yoav |
Haifa
Hinanit |
|
IL
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
69005756 |
Appl. No.: |
16/202558 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 33/4814 20130101;
A61N 2007/0073 20130101; A61N 2007/0095 20130101; A61N 7/02
20130101; A61B 5/015 20130101; G01R 33/5608 20130101; G01R 33/4804
20130101; G01R 33/54 20130101; A61B 5/055 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01R 33/48 20060101
G01R033/48; G01R 33/54 20060101 G01R033/54 |
Claims
1. A system for performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry, the
system comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit; and a
controller in communication with the MRI unit and configured to:
(i) cause the MRI unit to acquire at least one baseline MR phase
image of an imaging region and at least one treatment MR phase
image of the imaging region subsequent to a temperature change of a
subregion within the imaging region; (ii) electronically generate a
thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the
subregion based at least in part on a proton-resonance frequency
shift of the acquired baseline MR phase image relative to the
treatment MR phase image; (iii) computationally predict, without
reference to the generated thermal map, the temperature change of
the subregion based at least in part on energy deposited in the
subregion during treatment; and (iv) determine whether the thermal
map is inaccurate based at least in part on the temperature change
of the subregion indicated by the thermal map and the predicted
temperature change of the subregion, and so generate a ne thermal
map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the subregion
based at least in part on the acquired baseline MR phase image and
treatment MR phase image.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to: compare the temperature change in the generated
thermal map against the predicted temperature change so as to
determine a deviation therebetween; and compare the deviation
against a predetermined threshold.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is further
configured to determine that the thermal map is inaccurate upon
determining that the deviation exceeds the predetermined
threshold.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined threshold is a
fixed value.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is further
configured to adjust the predetermined threshold based at least in
part on at least one of an energy deposited in the subregion, a
noise level associated with the baseline phase image and/or
treatment phase image or the deviation between the temperature
change in the generated thermal map and the predicted temperature
change.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a medical device
configured to cause the temperature change of the subregion.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the medical device comprises an
ultrasound transducer including a plurality of transducer elements,
the controller being further configured to computationally predict
the temperature change of the subregion using a physical model.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the physical model is based at
least in part on values of ultrasound parameters for generating a
focal zone at the subregion.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the ultrasound parameters
comprise at least one of an amplitude, a frequency, a phase, a
direction or an activation time associated with each of the
transducer elements.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to computationally predict, without reference to the
generated thermal map, the temperature change of the subregion
using a physical model.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the physical model is based at
least in part on a tissue characteristic associated with at least
one of the subregion or a second subregion different from the
subregion.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further
configured to acquire the tissue characteristic based at least in
part on imaging data acquired using the MRI unit.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein tissue characteristic comprises
at least one of a type, a structure, a thickness, a density, a
speed of sound, a thermal absorption coefficient, a perfusion
coefficient, or a metabolic heat generation rate.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the physical model is based on
a bioheat transfer equation.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the bioheat transfer equation
includes the Pennes equation.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to predict the temperature change of the subregion using
a statistical model.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a medical device
configured to cause the temperature change of the subregion,
wherein the statistical model includes historical data of the
change in temperature resulting from previous activation of the
medical device.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to cause the MRI unit to acquire a reference library
including a plurality of baseline MR phase images of the imaging
region, each corresponding to a phase background during a different
stage of an anticipated motion of the imaging region.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is further
configured to identify a baseline phase image in the reference
library that best matches the treatment MR phase image based on
similarity therebetween and generate the thermal map based at least
in part on the identified best-matching baseline MR phase
image.
20. A method of performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry, the
method comprising: acquiring at least one baseline MR phase image
of an imaging region and at least one treatment MR phase image of
the imaging region subsequent to a temperature change of a
subregion within the imaging region; electronically generating a
thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the
subregion based at least in part on a proton-resonance frequency
shift of the acquired baseline phase image relative to the
treatment phase image; computationally predicting, without
reference to the generated thermal map, the temperature change of
the subregion based at least in part on energy deposited in the
subregion during treatment; and determining whether the thermal map
is inaccurate based at least in part on the temperature change of
the subregion indicated by the thermal map and the predicted
temperature change of the subregion, and, if so, generate a new
thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the
subregion based at least in part on the acquired baseline MR phase
image and treatment MR phase image.
21. A system for performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry,
the system comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit; and
a controller in communication with the MRI unit and configured to:
(i) cause the MRI unit to acquire at least one baseline MR phase
image of an imaging region and a plurality of treatment MR phase
images of the imaging region subsequent to at least a temperature
change of a subregion within the imaging region; (ii)
electronically generate a plurality of thermal maps based at least
in part on proton-resonance frequency shifts of the acquired
baseline MR phase image relative to the treatment MR phase images,
each thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the
subregion associated with one of the treatment phase images; and
(iii) determine whether one of the thermal maps is inaccurate based
at least in part on a comparison between the temperature change
associated therewith and the temperature change associated with at
least another one of the thermal maps, and, if so, generate a new
thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the
subregion based at least in part on the acquired baseline MR phase
image and treatment MR phase image.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to magnetic
resonance (MR) imaging, and more particularly, to techniques for MR
thermal imaging (or MR thermometry) and corrections in MR
thermometry.
BACKGROUND
[0002] MR imaging of internal body tissues may be used for numerous
medical procedures, including diagnosis and surgery. In general
terms, MR imaging starts by placing a subject in a relatively
uniform, static magnetic field. The static magnetic field causes
hydrogen nuclei spins to align and precess about the general
direction of the magnetic field. Radio frequency (RF) magnetic
field pulses are then superimposed on the static magnetic field to
cause some of the aligned spins to alternate between a temporary
high-energy non-aligned state and the aligned state, thereby
inducing an RF response signal, called the MR echo or MR response
signal. It is known that different tissues in the subject produce
different MR response signals, and this property can be used to
create contrast in an MIR image. An RF receiver detects the
duration, strength, and source location of the MR response signals,
and such data are then processed to generate tomographic or
three-dimensional images.
[0003] MR imaging can also be used effectively during a medical
procedure to assist in locating and guiding medical instruments.
For example, a medical procedure can be performed on a patient
using medical instruments while the patient is in an MRI machine.
The medical instruments may be for insertion into a patient or they
may be used externally but still have a therapeutic or diagnostic
effect. For instance, the medical instrument may be an ultrasonic
device, which is disposed outside a patient's body and focuses
ultrasonic energy to ablate or necrose tissue or other material on
or within the patient's body. The MRI machine preferably produces
images at a high rate so that the location of the instrument (or
the focus of its effects) relative to the patient may be monitored
in real-time (or substantially in real-time).
[0004] MR imaging can further provide a non-invasive means of
quantitatively monitoring in vivo temperatures. This is
particularly useful in the above-mentioned MR-guided focused
ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment or other MR-guided thermal therapy
where temperature of a treatment area should be continuously
monitored in order to assess the progress of treatment and correct
for local differences in heat conduction and energy absorption. The
monitoring (e.g., measurement and/or mapping) of temperature with
MR imaging is generally referred to as MR thermometry or MR thermal
imaging.
[0005] Among various methods available for MR thermometry, the
proton-resonance frequency (PRF) shift method is often preferred
due to its excellent linearity with respect to temperature change,
near-independence from tissue type, and the high spatial and
temporal resolution of temperature maps obtained therewith. The PRF
shift method is based on the phenomenon that the MR resonance
frequency of protons in water molecules changes linearly with
temperature (with a constant of proportionality that,
advantageously, is relatively constant among tissue types). Since
the frequency change with temperature is small, only -0.01
ppm/.degree. C. for bulk water and approximately -0.0096 to -0.013
ppm/.degree. C. in tissue, the PRF shift is typically detected with
a phase-sensitive imaging method in which the imaging is performed
twice: first to acquire a baseline PRF phase image prior to a
temperature change and then to acquire a second phase image after
the temperature change, thereby capturing a small phase change that
is proportional to the change in temperature.
[0006] A phase image, for example, may be computed from MR image
data, and a temperature-difference map relative to the baseline
image may be obtained by (i) determining, on a pixel-by-pixel
basis, phase differences between the phase image corresponding to
the baseline and the phase image corresponding to a subsequently
obtained MR image, and (ii) converting the phase differences into
temperature differences based on the PRP temperature dependence
while taking into account imaging parameters such as the strength
of the static magnetic field and echo time (TE). It should be
appreciated that, although a subtraction step may be involved, the
determination of the phase differences involves more than a simple
subtraction of scalars.
[0007] Unfortunately, changes in phase images do not arise uniquely
from temperature changes. Various factors unrelated to temperature,
such as changes in a local magnetic field due to nearby moving
objects, magnetic susceptibility changes in a patient's body due to
breathing or other movements, and magnet or shim drifts can all
lead to confounding phase shifts that may render a phase-sensitive
temperature measurement invalid. For example, during MRgFUS
treatment procedures, one or more treatment devices may need to be
re-positioned and/or re-oriented in or near the MR imaging area.
Since the treatment devices typically include metal components,
their movements could perturb local magnetic fields and thereby
significantly change the phase background. Non-metal objects and
their movements may also perturb local magnetic fields. For
example, the patient's breathing or turning motions could have
similar effects on the MR imaging data. In fact, the changes in the
magnetic field associated with patient motion and/or nearby objects
can be severe enough to render temperature measurements made using
the above-mentioned phase-sensitive approach useless.
[0008] To detect phase changes resulting from factors unrelated to
temperature, various conventional approaches, upon acquiring the MR
imaging data, create real-space pixel images of the MR imaging data
and identify artifacts appearing in the pixel images. Based on the
detected artifacts, phase changes resulting from the
non-temperature-related factors are indirectly inferred. Artifacts
that have little effect on the pixel images, however, may have
significant effects on the phase images. As a result, conventional
approaches may still generate flawed thermal maps, which can
compromise medical treatment.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need to accurately and reliably
identify erroneous MR thermal maps resulting from factors unrelated
to temperature so as to ensure an efficient and safe medical
procedure.
SUMMARY
[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems
and methods for detecting inaccurate temperature maps generated
from MR imaging data. For ease of reference, the following
description refers to MR imaging data acquired during ultrasound
thermal treatment; it should be understood, however, that the same
approaches generally apply as well to any MR-guided medical
procedures (including diagnosis and surgery) that require
continuous temperature monitoring of a region of interest, e.g.,
for assessing the progress of a procedure.
[0011] In some embodiments, prior to the thermal treatment, MR raw
imaging data is acquired; the raw data is then processed to
identify the location and/or orientation of the target region and
generate a baseline phase image. The MR imaging data may be
acquired again during thermal treatment and processed to identify
the location of the target tissue and generate a treatment phase
image. The treatment phase image may then be compared against the
baseline phase image acquired prior to treatment, on a
pixel-by-pixel basis, to compute the phase differences
therebetween; based on the computed phase differences, an MR
thermal map indicating the pointwise changes in temperature
measured by the MR imaging data can be created. In various
embodiments, some or all of the measured, pixel-by-pixel
temperature changes in the thermal map are compared against
temperature changes predicted using a physical model (again on a
pixel-by-pixel basis); based on the deviation between the measured
and predicted temperature changes, the accuracy of the acquired
thermal map can be determined. For example, if the deviation
exceeds a predetermined threshold amount (for individual pixels or
over a region of pixels, e.g., on an aggregated basis), the
acquired thermal map may be identified as inaccurate. As a result,
the acquired thermal map may be discarded, and in some embodiments,
ultrasound treatment may be suspended until an accurate thermal map
is obtained so as to avoid damage to non-target tissue.
[0012] The physical model may computationally predict the change in
temperature resulting from the thermal treatment based on, for
example, the acoustic energy deposited in the target and/or
non-target regions and tissue characteristics, such as anatomic
characteristics (e.g., the type, property, structure, thickness,
density, etc.) and/or material characteristics (e.g., the speed of
sound), of the target and/or non-target regions. The acoustic
energy deposited in the target and/or non-target regions may be
estimated based on ultrasound parameter values that generate a
focal zone at the target region and tissue characteristics of the
intervening tissue located on the beam path between the transducer
and the target region. In one implementation, the tissue
characteristics of the target tissue and non-target tissue
(including the intervening tissue and tissue surrounding the target
region) are acquired using an imaging device, such as the MRI
apparatus, a computer tomography (CT) device, a positron emission
tomography (PET) device, a single-photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT) device, or an ultrasonography device. In
addition, the physical model may further take the form of (or
include) differential equations (such as the Pennes model and a
bioheat equation) to simulate heat transfer in tissue, thereby
predicting the temperature increase in the target/non-target
regions during the time interval.
[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the temperature increase
resulting from thermal treatment may be predicted using a
statistical model. For example, the statistical model may include
historical data of the accumulated acoustic energy or temperature
increase measured during previous thermal treatments performed on
the same or different patient. Based on the retrospective study, a
statistical model relating the transmitted acoustic power and
tissue characteristics to the accumulated acoustic energy or
temperature change at the target/non-target regions may be
established. Tissue characteristics of the current patient and the
ultrasound parameter values employed in the current treatment may
then be applied to the statistical model to predict the accumulated
acoustic energy or temperature increase during the treatment at a
given time or within a time interval.
[0014] The predetermined threshold(s) for deciding whether the
temperature increase in a thermal map results from a tissue
response to the thermal treatment or some extraneous artifacts may
be fixed or dynamically varied. For example, the size of the
threshold may positively correlate to the amount of acoustic energy
transmitted to the target region, so that the threshold is small
for small acoustic energies and larger for larger acoustic
energies. As a result, at a higher acoustic energy, a larger
discrepancy between the measured and predicted temperatures is
required to conclude that the measured thermal map is inaccurate.
In one embodiment, the predetermined threshold values are adjusted
based on the noise level of the acquired MR imaging data. For
example, MR imaging data having a smaller signal-to-noise ratio may
correspond to a larger threshold value compared with MR imaging
data having a larger signal-to-noise ratio. Thus, when the thermal
map includes a higher noise level, the measured temperature in a
thermal map may have a larger deviation from the predicted
temperature before determining that the measured thermal map is
flawed.
[0015] Predicting the change in temperature during thermal
treatment may not be necessary in order to detect inaccurate
thermal maps. In some embodiments, detection of the inaccurate map
is based on historical imaging data acquired during thermal
treatment only. For example, assuming that the transmitted
ultrasound power remains constant during treatment, the energy
accumulated (and the resulting temperature) at the target region
may be expected to increase gradually with time. Thus, if the
target or non-target region in a particular temperature map
exhibits an abrupt increase or decrease in temperature (e.g.,
compared with the average increase or decrease for the same region
over the previous few images), the temperature map is likely
incorrect at the noted region.
[0016] Accordingly, various embodiments provide approaches for
monitoring in vivo temperatures of the target and/or non-target
tissues during thermal treatment and detecting inaccurate thermal
maps in real time. This is particularly useful in MR-guided thermal
therapy, so that the temperatures of the target and/or non-target
tissues can be continuously monitored to assess the progress of
thermal treatment and correct for local differences in heat
conduction and energy absorption, thereby achieving desired
treatment effects at the target and avoiding damage to the
non-target tissue.
[0017] Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention pertains to a
system for performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry. In
various embodiments, the system includes a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) unit and a controller in communication with the MRI
unit; the controller is configured to (i) cause the MRI unit to
acquire one or more baseline phase images of an imaging region and
one or more treatment phase images of the imaging region subsequent
to a temperature change of a subregion within the imaging region;
(ii) electronically generate a thermal map pixelwise indicating the
temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on the
acquired baseline phase image(s) and treatment phase image(s);
(iii) computationally predict, without reference to the generated
thermal map, the temperature change of the subregion based at least
in part on energy deposited in the subregion during treatment; and
(iv) determine whether the thermal map is inaccurate based at least
in part on the temperature change of the subregion indicated by the
thermal map and the predicted temperature change of the
subregion.
[0018] The controller may be further configured to compare the
temperature change in the generated thermal map against the
predicted temperature change so as to determine a deviation
therebetween; and compare the deviation against a predetermined
threshold. In addition, the controller may be further configured to
determine that the thermal map is inaccurate upon determining that
the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold (which may or may
not be fixed value). In some embodiments, the controller is further
configured to adjust the predetermined threshold based at least in
part on the energy deposited in the subregion, the noise level(s)
associated with the baseline phase image(s) and/or treatment phase
image(s) or the deviation between the temperature change in the
generated thermal map and the predicted temperature change.
[0019] In one embodiment, the further includes a medical device
configured to cause the temperature change of the subregion. For
example, the medical device may include an ultrasound transducer
having multiple transducer elements. The controller may be further
configured to computationally predict the temperature change of the
subregion using a physical model. In one implementation, the
physical model is based at least in part on the values of
ultrasound parameters (e.g., the amplitudes, frequencies, phases,
directions or activation times associated with the transducer
elements) for generating a focal zone at the subregion.
[0020] In various embodiments, the controller is further configured
to computationally predict, without reference to the generated
thermal map, the temperature change of the subregion using the
physical model. The physical model may be based at least in part on
the tissue characteristic (e.g., a type, a structure, a thickness,
a density, a speed of sound, a thermal absorption coefficient, a
perfusion coefficient and/or a metabolic heat generation rate)
associated with the subregion and/or the second subregion different
from the subregion. In one implementation, the controller is
further configured to acquire the tissue characteristic based at
least in part on imaging data acquired using the MRI unit. In
addition, the physical model may be based on a bioheat transfer
equation (e.g., the Pennes equation).
[0021] The controller may be further configured to predict the
temperature change of the subregion using a statistical model. In
addition, the system may further include a medical device
configured to cause the temperature change of the subregion; the
statistical model may then include historical data of the change in
temperature resulting from previous activation of the medical
device. In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to
cause the MRI unit to acquire a reference library including
multiple baseline phase images of the imaging region, each
corresponding to a phase background during a different stage of an
anticipated motion of the imaging region. The controller may be
then further configured to identify a baseline phase image in the
reference library that best matches the treatment phase image based
on similarity therebetween and generate the thermal map based at
least in part on the identified best-matching baseline phase
image.
[0022] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of
performing MR thermometry. In various embodiments, the method
includes acquiring one or more baseline phase images of an imaging
region and one or more treatment phase images of the imaging region
subsequent to a temperature change of a subregion within the
imaging region; electronically generating a thermal map pixelwise
indicating the temperature change of the subregion based at least
in part on the acquired baseline phase image(s) and treatment phase
image(s); computationally predicting, without reference to the
generated thermal map, the temperature change of the subregion
based at least in part on energy deposited in the subregion during
treatment; and determining whether the thermal map is inaccurate
based at least in part on the temperature change of the subregion
indicated by the thermal map and the predicted temperature change
of the subregion.
[0023] Another aspect of the invention relates to a system for
performing MR thermometry. In various embodiments, the system
includes an MRI unit and a controller in communication with the MRI
unit; the controller is configured to (i) cause the MRI unit to
acquire one or more baseline phase images of an imaging region and
multiple treatment phase images of the imaging region subsequent to
at least a temperature change of a subregion within the imaging
region; (ii) electronically generate multiple thermal maps based at
least in part on the acquired baseline phase image(s) and the
treatment phase images, each thermal map pixelwise indicating the
temperature change of the subregion associated with one of the
treatment phase images; and (iii) determine whether one of the
thermal maps is inaccurate based at least in part on a comparison
between the temperature change associated therewith and the
temperature change associated with at least another one of the
thermal maps.
[0024] As used herein, the term "substantially" means .+-.10%, and
in some embodiments, .+-.5%. Reference throughout this
specification to "one example," "an example," "one embodiment," or
"an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the example is included
in at least one example of the present technology. Thus, the
occurrences of the phrases "in one example," "in an example," "one
embodiment," or "an embodiment" in various places throughout this
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
routines, steps, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more examples of the technology. The headings
provided herein are for convenience only and are not intended to
limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed
technology.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer
to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the
drawings are not necessarily to scale, with an emphasis instead
generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the
invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention are described with reference to the following
drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary MRI apparatus in accordance
with various embodiments of the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow charts illustrating exemplary
approaches for detecting an inaccurate MR thermal map in which a
temperature increase results from a non-temperature-related factor
in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention;
[0028] FIGS. 3A-3D depict exemplary temperature-deviation maps
illustrating a temperature difference between a measured thermal
map and a predicted thermal map at a target region and/or a
non-target region in accordance with various embodiments of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary approach
for predicting a change in temperature in the target/non-target
regions during a medical procedure in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5A depicts the relationship between a temperature
change at the target region and an application time of the acoustic
energy in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 5B depicts the relationship between a temperature
change at the target region and an amplitude of the applied
ultrasound waves in accordance with various embodiments of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another exemplary
approach for detecting an inaccurate MR thermal map in which a
temperature increase results from a non-temperature-related factor
in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
and
[0033] FIG. 7 depicts various relationships between a temperature
change at the target and non-target regions and an application time
of the acoustic energy in accordance with various embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary MRI system in or for which the
techniques for performing MR thermometry and detecting measurement
artifacts in MR thermometry in accordance with various embodiments
of the present invention may be implemented. The illustrated MRI
system 100 comprises an MRI machine 102. If an MR-guided procedure
is being performed, a medical device (e.g., an ultrasound
transducer) 104 may be disposed within the bore of the MRI machine
102. Since the components and operation of the MRI machine are
well-known in the art, only some basic components helpful in the
understanding of the system 100 and its operation will be described
herein.
[0035] The MRI machine 102 typically comprises a cylindrical
electromagnet 106, which generates a static magnetic field within a
bore 108 of the electromagnet 106. The electromagnet 106 generates
a substantially homogeneous magnetic field within an imaging region
110 inside the magnet bore 108. The electromagnet 106 may be
enclosed in a magnet housing 112. A support table 114, upon which a
patient 116 lies, is disposed within the magnet bore 108. A region
of interest 118 within the patient 116 may be identified and
positioned within the imaging region 110 of the MRI machine
102.
[0036] A set of cylindrical magnetic field gradient coils 120 may
also be provided within the magnet bore 108. The gradient coils 120
also surround the patient 116. The gradient coils 120 can generate
magnetic field gradients of predetermined magnitudes, at
predetermined times, and in three mutually orthogonal directions
within the magnet bore 108. With the field gradients, different
spatial locations can be associated with different precession
frequencies, thereby giving an MR image its spatial resolution. An
RF transmitter coil 122 surrounds the imaging region 110 and the
region of interest 118. The RF transmitter coil 122 emits RF energy
in the form of a magnetic field into the imaging region 110,
including into the region of interest 118.
[0037] The RF transmitter coil 122 can also receive MR response
signals emitted from the region of interest 118. The MR response
signals are amplified, conditioned and digitized into raw k-space
data using a controller 124, as is known by those of ordinary skill
in the art. The controller 124 further processes the raw k-space
data using known computational methods, including fast Fourier
transform (FFT), into an array of image data. The image data may
then be displayed on a monitor 126, such as a computer CRT, LCD
display or other suitable display.
[0038] In typical MR imaging procedures, the emission of the RF
excitation pulse, the application of the field gradients in various
directions, and the acquisition of the RF response signal take
place in a predetermined sequence. For example, in some imaging
sequences, a linear field gradient parallel to the static magnetic
field is applied simultaneously with the excitation pulse to select
a slice within the three-dimensional tissue for imaging.
Subsequently, time-dependent gradients parallel to the imaging
plane may be used to impart a position-dependent phase and
frequency on the magnetization vector. Alternatively, an imaging
sequence may be designed for a three-dimensional imaging region.
Time sequences suitable for PRF thermometry include, for example,
gradient-recalled echo (GRE) and spin echo sequences.
[0039] The time-varying RF response signal, which is integrated
over the entire (two- or three-dimensional) imaging region, is
sampled to produce a time series of response signals that
constitute the raw image data. Each data point in this time series
can be interpreted as the value of the Fourier transform of the
position-dependent local magnetization at a particular point in k
space, where k is a function of the time development of the
gradient fields. Thus, by acquiring a time series of the response
signal and Fourier-transforming it, a real-space image of the
tissue (i.e., an image showing the measured magnetization-affecting
tissue properties as a function of spatial coordinates) can be
reconstructed from the raw data. Computational methods for
constructing real-space image data from the raw data (including,
e.g., fast Fourier transform) are generally known to those of skill
in the art, and can readily be implemented without undue
experimentation in the controller 124 in hardware, software, or a
combination of both.
[0040] In the presence of ultrasound-induced temperature changes,
because the resonance frequency of water protons decreases with
increasing temperature, a hot spot may appear in the phase of the
image data. Accordingly, for the purpose of PRF thermometry, the
controller 124 further includes functionality for extracting phase
information from the real-space image data, and computing a
real-space map of the temperature-induced phase shift based on
images acquired before as well as after (or during) heating of the
target tissue (i.e., the baseline and treatment images). From the
phase shift map, a map of temperature changes (in units of
.DELTA..degree. C.) may be computed via multiplication with a
constant c that is given by:
c = 1 .gamma. .alpha. TEB 0 ##EQU00001##
where .alpha. is the applicable PRF change coefficient (which is
-0.01 ppm/.degree. C. for aqueous tissue), .gamma. is the proton
gyromagnetic ratio, B.sub.0 is the main magnetic field strength,
and TE is the echo time of the GRE or other imaging sequence.
[0041] The medical device 104 may also be placed in or near the
imaging region 110 of the MRI machine 102. In the example shown in
FIG. 1, the medical device 104 may be an ultrasonic instrument used
for ablating tissue such as fibroids or cancerous (or
non-cancerous) tissue, for breaking up occlusions within vessels,
for opening the blood-brain barrier or for performing other
treatment of tissues on or within the patient 116. In fact, the
medical device 104 can be any type of medical instrument, such as a
needle, catheter, guidewire, radiation transmitter, endoscope,
laparoscope, or other instrument. In addition, the medical device
104 can be configured either for placement outside the patient 116
or for insertion into the patient's body.
[0042] During MR thermal imaging (or any medical procedure
involving MR temperature mapping) of the region 110, the region of
interest 118, which is typically a part of a patient's body, may
change its shape and/or position due to movements of the patient's
body. For example, in FIG. 1, the region of interest 118 is the
patient's head, which may turn slightly either to the left or to
the right during the thermal imaging process. If the region of
interest 118 is part of the patient's abdominal area, its shape may
contract or expand with the patient's respiratory cycle. The
changes in shape and/or position of the region of interest 118 may
perturb the magnetic field, thereby altering the phases associated
with the MR imaging data; as a result, the thermal maps generated
therefrom may be inaccurate.
[0043] Similarly, during a medical procedure involving MR
temperature mapping of the region 110, the medical device 104 may
be re-positioned and/or re-oriented one or more times in accordance
with a dynamic protocol. Movement of the medical device 104
resulting from the re-positioning and/or re-orientation may change
the magnetic field and thereby the phases of the MR imaging data,
which in turn results in inaccurate thermal maps.
[0044] The present invention provides various approaches to
detecting an inaccurate MR thermal map resulting from
non-temperature-related factors (such as movement of the patient or
nearby objects) during a medical procedure (e.g., ultrasound
treatment). These approaches, generally, involve monitoring the
temperature at the region of interest 118 using MR thermometry
prior to and during the medical procedure, and computationally
predicting a temperature increase resulting from the procedure. If
the measured temperature increase (for individual pixels or in a
region having aggregated pixels) exceeds the computationally
predicted temperature increase by more than a predetermined
threshold amount, the temperature map corresponding to such pixels
or in such a region in the thermal map acquired at the later time
may be inaccurate--i.e., the temperature increase for such pixels
or in such a region is due to some extraneous artifacts rather than
the true tissue response to the medical procedure.
[0045] FIG. 2A is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary approach
200 for detecting an inaccurate MR thermal map in which a
temperature increase results (at least partially) from a
non-temperature-related factor during the medical procedure in
accordance with various embodiments. In a first step 202, prior to
the medical procedure (e.g., thermal treatment), an MR imaging
sequence is carried out to acquire a response signal from the
imaging region 110, which is subsequently converted to raw image
data (i.e., "k-space data"). In a second step 204, the raw image
data is converted (using a fast Fourier transform) to a real-space
MR image of the imaging region; a PRF baseline phase image
associated with the real-space image can then be generated, and the
target tissue (which corresponds to the ROI 118) in the real-space
image may be selected. In some embodiments, this selection is
manual, i.e., based on user input (e.g., a line drawn with a mouse
to circumscribe the target in the image), whereas in other
embodiments, the selection is accomplished automatically by a
computer algorithm (e.g., a conventional algorithm that thresholds
the pixel values, exploiting contrast in the MR image between the
target and the surrounding tissues). Steps 202, 204 may be
optionally repeated multiple times, e.g., at different stages
during a periodic cycle of motion (such as a cardiac or respiratory
cycle) for creating a reference library having a series of baseline
reference images.
[0046] In a third step 206, one or more medical devices associated
with the procedure (e.g., the ultrasound transducer 104 for thermal
treatment) may be activated to treat the target tissue. During
treatment, raw image data of the target region are acquired using
the MRI apparatus 100 as described above (step 208). Again, the raw
treatment images may be converted to a real-space image and
processed to identify the location of the target tissue and
generate a PRF treatment phase image (step 210). In a step 212, the
PRF treatment phase image is compared against the PRF baseline
phase image acquired prior to the thermal treatment, on a
pixel-by-pixel basis, to compute the phase differences
therebetween; based on the computed phase differences, an MR
thermal map associated with the treatment image in the imaging
region can be created. Optionally, steps 208-212 may be repeated
for monitoring in vivo temperatures of the target and/or non-target
tissues during the medical procedure. This is particularly useful
in MR-guided thermal therapy (e. g., MRgFUS treatment), where the
temperatures of the target and/or non-target tissues are
continuously monitored in order to assess the progress of thermal
treatment and correct for local differences in heat conduction and
energy absorption.
[0047] If a reference library of baseline images covering the
anticipated range of motion is obtained as described above, a
reference baseline image in the library that best matches the
acquired treatment image may be selected based on similarity
therebetween. The selected baseline and treatment images are then
processed to generate the thermal map illustrating the change in
temperature in the target/non-target regions. This approach is
often referred to as multi-baseline thermometry; exemplary
approaches for performing multi-baseline thermometry are described
in U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,909, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0048] To determine whether the acquired thermal map is inaccurate,
in various embodiments, the thermal map generated from the MRI
measurement in step 212 may be compared against a thermal map
predicted using a physical model as further described below (step
214). If the deviation between the measured and predicted thermal
maps exceeds a predetermined threshold amount .DELTA.T.sub.th (for
individual pixels or in a region over which pixel values are
aggregated), the thermal map is deemed inaccurate (step 216). The
inaccurate thermal map may then be discarded and new MR imaging
data may be acquired to generate a new thermal map (step 218).
Additionally or alternatively, the medical device 104 may be
suspended until an accurate thermal map is generated so as to avoid
damage to the non-target tissue (step 220). In contrast, if the
deviation between the measured and predicted thermal maps is equal
to or below the predetermined threshold, the thermal map acquired
in step 212 is deemed accurate (step 222).
[0049] For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the controller 124 may
compare the phase differences between the phase images
corresponding to the baseline image 302 and the treatment image
304, and based thereon converting the phase differences into
temperature differences in a thermal map 306. In addition, the
target region 308 includes target pixels T.sub.1-T.sub.3 and the
non-target region 310 surrounding the target region includes
non-target pixels NT.sub.1-NT.sub.7 in the map 306. In some
embodiments, the controller further creates a thermal map 312
indicating a predicted temperature increase resulting from the
thermal treatment as further described below. The difference
between the measured and predicted thermal maps 306, 312 may then
be determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis (as shown in a deviation
map 314) and compared against the predetermined thresholds. For
example, the predetermined thresholds for the differences
corresponding to the individual pixels in the target region
T.sub.1-T.sub.3 and non-target region NT.sub.1-NT.sub.7 are
0.5.degree. C. and 0.1.degree. C., respectively, and the thresholds
for the deviations in the target and non-target regions having
aggregated pixels are 1.2.degree. C. and 0.5.degree. C.,
respectively. With reference to FIG. 3B, because the deviation
between the measured and predicted temperatures for each of the
target pixels T.sub.1-T.sub.3 and non-target pixels
NT.sub.1-NT.sub.7 is smaller than the predetermined threshold, and
the aggregated temperature deviations for the target pixels and
non-target pixels are 0.4.degree. C. and 0.1.degree. C.,
respectively (both smaller than the predetermined thresholds), the
measured thermal map 306 is deemed accurate.
[0050] In contrast, when the deviation between the measured and
predicted thermal maps for individual pixels and/or aggregated
pixels in the target and/or non-target regions exceeds the
predetermined thresholds, the thermal map 306 is determined
inaccurate. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, because the
temperature deviation in map 324 at the target pixel T.sub.1
exceeds the predetermined threshold (0.5.degree. C.), the thermal
map 306 is considered inaccurate. Similarly, referring to FIG. 3D,
the deviation between the measured and predicted thermal maps is
depicted in map 334. Although the deviation for each of the target
pixels T.sub.1-T.sub.3 and non-target pixels NT.sub.1-NT.sub.7 does
not exceed the predetermined threshold (0.5.degree. C. and
0.1.degree. C., respectively), the aggregated temperature
difference in the target pixels is 1.5.degree. C. exceeding the
predetermined aggregated threshold 1.2.degree. C.; as a result, the
thermal map 306 is considered inaccurate.
[0051] After the thermal map 306 is generated, the processing time
for determining the change in temperature, comparing the measured
temperature change against the predicted value to determine a
deviation therebetween, and determining whether the deviation
exceeds the predetermined threshold is relatively fast (compared
with acquisition of the MR imaging data). Accordingly, the
approaches described above may advantageously determine accuracy of
the newly acquired thermal map in real-time (or substantially in
real-time) during the medical procedure.
[0052] FIG. 2B is a flow chart illustrating another method 250 for
detecting an inaccurate MR thermal map resulting from a one or more
factors unrelated to temperature during the medical procedure in
accordance with various embodiments. Similar to the method 200
shown in FIG. 2A, steps 202-212 are performed in the method 250.
But in this method, two thermal maps acquired at different times
during the medical procedure are analyzed on a pixel-by-pixel basis
to determine the temperature difference, .DELTA.T.sub.m, between
them (step 252); the computed difference is then compared against a
predicted temperature increase, .DELTA.T.sub.p (step 254). If the
computed temperature difference .DELTA.T.sub.m exceeds the
predicted temperature increase .DELTA.T.sub.p by more than a
predetermined threshold amount, .DELTA.T.sub.th (for individual
pixels or in a region having aggregated pixels), the thermal map
acquired at the later time may be identified as inaccurate,
indicating that the temperature increase corresponding to such
pixels or in such a region is due to some extraneous artifacts
rather than the true tissue response to the medical procedure (step
256). If the computed temperature difference between the two
thermal maps does not deviate significantly from the predicted
temperature increase (i.e., it is below the predetermined threshold
amount for the aggregated or individual pixels,
|.DELTA.T.sub.m-.DELTA.T.sub.p|.ltoreq..DELTA.T.sub.th), the
thermal map acquired at the later time is deemed accurate (step
258).
[0053] In various embodiments, the temperature increase at a given
time t=t.sub.1 during the medical procedure or between two thermal
maps acquired at times t=t.sub.1 and t=t.sub.2 is predicted based
on tissue characteristics of the target and/or non-target regions
and the energy (e.g., acoustic energy in ultrasound treatment)
deposited in the target and/or non-target regions during the
relevant time interval .DELTA.t (e.g., from the time commencing the
thermal treatment to acquisition of the thermal map or from
t=t.sub.1 to t=t.sub.2). FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary approach for
predicting the temperature increase resulting from the thermal
treatment in accordance with various embodiments. In a typical
ultrasound treatment, upon determining the location and/or
orientation of the target region using approaches described above
(e.g., step 204 in FIG. 2A), ultrasound parameter values (e.g.,
amplitudes, frequencies, phases and/or directions associated with
the transducer elements, or time intervals between consecutive
series of sonications) may be computed so that a focal zone is
created at the target region (in step 406). This step generally
involves applying a physical model and taking into account the
geometry as well as the position and orientation of the ultrasound
transducer relative to the target region. In addition, tissue
characteristics, such as anatomic characteristics (e.g., the type,
property, structure, thickness, density, etc.) and/or material
characteristics (e.g., the speed of sound) of the intervening
tissue located on the beam path between the transducer and the
target region may be included in the physical model in order to
predict and correct for beam aberrations resulting therefrom. In
one implementation, the anatomic characteristics of the intervening
tissue are acquired using an imaging device, such as the MRI
apparatus 100 (as depicted in FIG. 1), a CT device, a PET device, a
SPECT device, or an ultrasonography device. For example, based on
the acquired images, a tissue model characterizing the material
characteristics of the intervening tissue may be established. The
tissue model generally includes multiple tissue types or layers
(e.g., for ultrasound focusing into the skull, layers of cortical
bone, bone marrow, and soft brain tissue) and characterizes their
respective anatomic and/or material properties. The tissue model
may take the form of a 3D table of cells corresponding to the
voxels representing the target and/or non-target tissue; the cells
have attributes whose values represent characteristics of the
tissue, such as the speed of sound, that are relevant to
aberrations that occur when the beam traverses the tissue. The
voxels are obtained tomographically by the imaging device and the
type of tissue that each voxel represents can be determined
automatically by conventional tissue-analysis software. Using the
determined tissue types and a lookup table of tissue parameters
(e.g., speed of sound by type of tissue), the cells of the tissue
model may be populated. Further detail regarding creation of a
tissue model that identifies the speed of sound, heat sensitivity
and/or thermal energy tolerance of various tissues may be found in
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0029396, the entire disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0054] The acoustic power of the beam in the focal zone is (at
least partially) absorbed by the target tissue, thereby generating
heat and raising the temperature of the tissue to a point where the
cells are denatured and/or ablated. The degree of ultrasound
absorption over a propagation length in tissue is a function of
frequency, given by:
P.sub.t=P.sub.0.times.(1-10.sup.-2.alpha.fz)10.sup.-2.alpha.f,
where P.sub.0 represents the initial acoustic power of ultrasound
beams emitted from the transducer, f represents the transmitting
frequency of the ultrasound (measured in MHz); .alpha. represents
the absorption coefficient at the relevant frequency range
(measured in cm.sup.-1MHz.sup.-1) and may be obtained from known
literature; z represents the focal length--i.e., the distance,
measured in cm, that the ultrasound beam propagates through the
tissue prior to reaching the target; and P.sub.t represents the
acoustic power at the target region. Accordingly, in various
embodiments, the controller 124 processes the acquired images to
further characterize the anatomic and/or material properties of the
target and/or non-target tissue and include them in the tissue
model (in step 408). For example, the 3D table of cells in the
tissue model may further include attributes whose values represent
the absorption coefficient associated with the target/non-target
tissue.
[0055] Thus, based on the anatomic and/or material properties of
the target/non-target tissue characterized by the tissue model and
the employed ultrasound parameter values, the physical model may
predict ultrasound beam paths, the propagation of the induced
effects through the tissue, the .DELTA.t, and the conversion of
ultrasound energy or pressure into heat at the target region and/or
non-target regions (in step 410). In some embodiments, the
computational physical model further takes the form of (or include)
differential equations (such as the Pennes model and a bioheat
equation) to simulate heat transfer in tissue, thereby predicting
the temperature increase in the target/non-target regions during
the time interval .DELTA.t (in step 412).
[0056] Generally, the Pennes model is based on the assumption that
the rate of heat transfer between blood and tissue, h.sub.b, is
proportional to the product of the blood perfusion rate W.sub.b
(measured in kg/(s m.sup.3)) and the difference between the
arterial blood temperature T.sub.a and the local tissue temperature
T(x, y, z): h.sub.b=W.sub.bC.sub.b(T.sub.a-T), where C.sub.b is the
specific heat of blood (measured in J/(K kg)). Adding a
heat-transfer contribution due to thermal conduction in the tissue,
and taking into account metabolic heat generation at a rate Q.sub.m
(measured in J/(s m.sup.3)), the Pennes equation expresses the
thermal energy balance for perfused tissue in the following
form:
.rho. C .differential. T .differential. t = k ( .differential. 2 T
.differential. x 2 + .differential. 2 T .differential. y 2 +
.differential. 2 .differential. z 2 ) + W b C b ( T a - T ) + Q m +
Q ext . ##EQU00002##
[0057] where .rho., C, and k are the density, heat capacity, and
thermal conductivity (measured in J/(s m K)) of the tissue,
respectively, and Q.sub.ext represents the thermal power extracted
per unit volume of tissue from the thermal treatment. Thus, by
solving the Pennes equation numerically using any of a variety of
methods known to persons of skill in the art (such as
finite-difference and finite-element methods), a temperature map at
a given point in time can be computed. Accordingly, the thermal map
indicating the change in temperature after application of the
thermal treatment at a given time or between two times t=t.sub.1
and t=t.sub.2 can be determined. Approaches to computationally
predicting a temperature increase during ultrasound treatment are
provided, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2012/0071746
and 2015/0359603, the entire disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the temperature change
resulting from the thermal treatment may be predicted using a
statistical model. For example, the statistical model may include
historical data of the accumulated acoustic energy or temperature
increase during the treatment interval, At, performed on the same
or different patient previously. In one embodiment, MR images
acquired in previous thermal treatment on the same type of target
tissue and/or non-target tissue are retrospectively studied to
determine the heat absorbed in the target/non-target tissues. In
addition, the ultrasound parameter values employed for the previous
treatment are analyzed to determine the acoustic power transmitted
to the target/non-target tissues. Based on these retrospective
studies, a statistical model relating the transmitted acoustic
power to the accumulated acoustic energy or temperature increase at
the target/non-target regions may be straightforwardly established.
Ultrasound parameter values employed in the current treatment may
then be applied to the statistical model to predict the accumulated
acoustic energy or temperature increase during the treatment
interval, .DELTA.t. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, the
retrospective study may illustrate that the increase in temperature
at the target region having type A tissue positively correlates to
the application time of the acoustic energy. The statistical model
may thus include a regression 502 performed on the measured
temperatures against the durations of ultrasound application time;
the regression 502 may then be applied to predict the temperatures
of the type-A target tissue at ultrasound application times
t=t.sub.1 and t=t.sub.2. Subsequently, a temperature increase
.DELTA.T in the target tissue from t=t.sub.0 (i.e., when the
ultrasound treatment is commenced) t.sub.0 t=t.sub.1 (or from
t=t.sub.1 to t=t.sub.2) can be computed. Similarly, referring to
FIG. 5B, the retrospective study may indicate that the temperature
increase .DELTA.T at the target region within the time interval
.DELTA.t positively correlates to the amplitude of the ultrasound
waves. By performing a regression 504 on the measured temperature
increases against the ultrasound amplitudes, the temperature
increase at the target tissue can be computed based on the
amplitude of the currently applied sonications.
[0059] It should be noted that the approaches described herein for
predicting the accumulated energy and/or temperature increase at
the target/non-target regions are exemplary only, any suitable
approaches for predicting the accumulated energy and/or temperature
increase during thermal treatment may be used in the methods 200,
250 to detect inaccurate MR thermal maps as described above, and
are thus within the scope of the present invention.
[0060] In addition, the predetermined threshold(s) for deciding
whether the temperature increase in a thermal map results from a
tissue response to the thermal treatment or some extraneous
artifacts (described in steps 216, 222, 256, 258) may be fixed or
dynamically varied. Generally, the threshold(s) may represent a
significant clinical effect on the target/non-target tissue
resulting from the medical procedure. As used herein, "significant
clinical effect" means having an undesired (and sometimes the lack
of a desired) effect on tissue that is considered significant by
clinicians, e.g., the onset of damage thereto or other clinically
adverse effect, whether temporary or permanent. In some
embodiments, the thresholds are determined based on the types,
material properties, and/or locations of the target/non-target
tissue. For example, because the target tissue is to be ablated in
ultrasound treatment, the thresholds of temperature increase
corresponding to the target tissue may be larger than those
corresponding to the non-target tissue. In addition, if the
non-target tissue next to the target region is a sensitive and/or
important organ, the risk of damaging the non-target organ is high,
and the need for protecting the sensitive/important non-target
organ is heightened. Consequently, in this situation, the
predetermined thresholds corresponding to the temperature increase
in the non-target tissue may be smaller than for the situation
where non-sensitive and/or clinically unimportant non-target tissue
surrounds the target region. Thus, in one implementation, the
thresholds are predetermined by the controller 124 based on, for
example, the anatomical properties of the target/non-target tissue
acquired using the imaging device and/or the tissue model
characterizing the material properties of the target and/or
non-target tissue as described above.
[0061] In some embodiments, the size of the threshold positively
correlates to the amount of acoustic energy transmitted to the
target region, so that the threshold is small for relatively small
acoustic energies and larger (e.g., 10% or 20% larger) for
relatively larger acoustic energies. For example, during thermal
treatment, the acoustic energy transmitted to the target may
increase from E.sub.1 to E.sub.2 (E.sub.2=E.sub.1+.DELTA.E); the
threshold values associated with individual pixels in the target
region may be dynamically increased from T.sub.1.degree. C. to
T.sub.2.degree. C. (T.sub.2=T.sub.1+.DELTA.T). As a result, at a
higher acoustic energy, a larger discrepancy between the measured
and predicted temperatures is required to determine that the
measured thermal map is inaccurate.
[0062] The threshold value(s) may be adjusted based on other
parameters relevant to the temperature measurements. For example,
MR response signals having a smaller signal-to-noise ratio (i.e., a
higher noise level) received in steps 202, 208 may correspond to a
larger threshold value compared with MR response signals having a
larger signal-to-noise ratio (i.e., a lower noise level). Thus, if
the thermal map has a higher noise level, a larger discrepancy
between the measured and predicted temperatures is required to
determine that the measured thermal map is flawed. In some
embodiments, the threshold value(s) may be dynamically varied based
on the difference between the measured and predicted temperatures.
For example, each measured thermal map in the target region may
have a temperature difference from the predicted thermal map; the
threshold can be defined statistically in terms of the mean
temperature difference, e.g., 1/2 or 1 standard deviation from the
mean temperature difference of the entire measured thermal
maps.
[0063] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another exemplary
approach 600 for detecting an inaccurate MR thermal map in which an
increase in temperature during a medical procedure results from
non-temperature-related factors in accordance with various
embodiments. Similar to the methods 200, 250 in FIGS. 2A and 2B,
steps 202-212 are performed in approach 600 to generate a thermal
map indicating a change in temperature resulting from the
treatment. Approach 600, however, does not require prediction of
the temperature increase as required in the methods 200, 250.
Rather, detection of the inaccurate map is based on historical
imaging data acquired during the medical procedure. For example,
referring to FIG. 7, assuming that the transmitted ultrasound power
remains constant during treatment, the energy accumulated (and
thereby the temperature) at the target region may be expected to
increase gradually with time (as shown in line 702); similarly, the
temperature at the non-target region may remain constant (e.g.,
line 704) or increase with time but have an increasing rate slower
than that of the temperature increase in the target region (e.g.,
line 706). Thus, if the target or non-target region in a particular
temperature map has an abrupt increase or decrease in temperature
(e.g., compared with the average increase or decrease for the same
region over the previous few images), this indicates that the
temperature map is incorrect at the noted region. For example, at
time t=t.sub.3, the temperature at a non-target region B shows an
abrupt increase 708, this indicates that the thermal map at the
non-target region B is flawed. Similarly, the abrupt temperature
decrease 710 in the target region at time t=t.sub.s indicates that
the thermal map in the target region acquired at time t=t.sub.s is
inaccurate. Again, the temperature evolution at the
target/non-target tissues during treatment as depicted in FIG. 7
may be monitored based on individual pixels and/or aggregate pixel
values associated with the target/non-target regions. Accordingly,
referring again to FIG. 6, after multiple thermal maps are acquired
during thermal treatment, the controller may compare the
temperature change indicated in the newly acquired thermal map
against the temperatures changes measured in previously acquired
thermal maps (step 602). If the newly acquired thermal map shows an
abrupt temperature change, it indicates that the thermal map may be
inaccurate (step 604). If no abrupt temperature change is detected,
it then indicates that the newly acquired thermal map is accurate
(step 606).
[0064] Although the invention has been described with reference to
utilizing MR thermometry for monitoring the temperature at the
target and/or non-target regions during a medical procedure (e.g.,
ultrasound thermal treatment), it is not intended for this
arrangement to limit the scope of the invention. For example, a
temperature sensor may be implemented to measure the temperature
during treatment. Moreover, it is to be understood that the
features of the various embodiments described herein are not
necessarily mutually exclusive and can exist in various
combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or
permutations are not made express herein, without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. In fact, variations,
modifications, and other implementations of what is described
herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0065] In general, functionality for performing MR thermometry and
detecting an inaccurate thermal map in MR thermometry, including,
for example, analyzing imaging data of the target and/or non-target
regions acquired using one or more imaging modalities (e.g., MR
imaging) prior to and/or during the medical procedure, determining
the target location, generating a baseline phase image based on the
imaging data, generating an MR thermal map, computing the
temperature difference between two thermal maps, establishing a
computational physical model and/or a statistical model to predict
a temperature increase during treatment, comparing the measured
temperature (or temperature change) against the predicted
temperature (or temperature increase), determining whether the
thermal map acquired at the later time is inaccurate based on the
comparison and/or historical imaging data, computing ultrasound
parameter values for generating a focal zone at the target region,
activating the medical device (e.g., ultrasound transducer) based
on the determined parameter values, acquiring anatomic and/or
material properties of the target and/or non-target tissue,
computationally predicting ultrasound beam paths, computationally
predicting propagation of the induced effects through the tissue,
computationally predicting the ultrasound energy delivered to the
target region and/or non-target region during a time interval, and
computationally predicting the conversion of ultrasound energy or
pressure into heat at the target region and/or non-target regions,
as described above, whether integrated within the controller 124 of
the imaging device (e.g., MRI apparatus 100), and/or provided by a
separate external controller or other computational entity or
entities, may be structured in one or more modules implemented in
hardware, software, or a combination of both. The controller 124
may include one or more modules implemented in hardware, software,
or a combination of both. For embodiments in which the functions
are provided as one or more software programs, the programs may be
written in any of a number of high level languages such as PYTHON,
FORTRAN, PASCAL, JAVA, C, C++, C#, BASIC, various scripting
languages, and/or HTML. Additionally, the software can be
implemented in an assembly language directed to the microprocessor
resident on a target computer; for example, the software may be
implemented in Intel 80.times.86 assembly language if it is
configured to run on an IBM PC or PC clone. The software may be
embodied on an article of manufacture including, but not limited
to, a floppy disk, a jump drive, a hard disk, an optical disk, a
magnetic tape, a PROM, an EPROM, EEPROM, field-programmable gate
array, or CD-ROM. Embodiments using hardware circuitry may be
implemented using, for example, one or more FPGA, CPLD or ASIC
processors.
[0066] In addition, the term "controller" used herein broadly
includes all necessary hardware components and/or software modules
utilized to perform any functionality as described above; the
controller may include multiple hardware components and/or software
modules and the functionality can be spread among different
components and/or modules.
[0067] The terms and expressions employed herein are used as terms
and expressions of description and not of limitation, and there is
no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of
excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or
portions thereof. In addition, having described certain embodiments
of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed
herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be
considered in all respects as only illustrative and not
restrictive.
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