U.S. patent number RE40,587 [Application Number 09/804,430] was granted by the patent office on 2008-11-25 for antenna for magnetic resonance imaging and method of use.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Schneider (Europe) A.G.. Invention is credited to Graeme C. McKinnon.
United States Patent |
RE40,587 |
McKinnon |
November 25, 2008 |
Antenna for magnetic resonance imaging and method of use
Abstract
A medical appliance for use in magnetic resonance imaging
procedures. A guidewire for vascular procedures is formed by a
coaxial cable acting as antenna in a magnetic resonance imaging
system.
Inventors: |
McKinnon; Graeme C. (Hartland,
WI) |
Assignee: |
Schneider (Europe) A.G.
(Bulach, CH)
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Family
ID: |
26135529 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/804,430 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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08311700 |
Sep 23, 1994 |
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Reissue of: |
08752431 |
Nov 19, 1996 |
05792055 |
Aug 11, 1998 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 18, 1994 [EP] |
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94104329 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/410; 600/423;
600/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/055 (20130101); A61B 5/06 (20130101); G01R
33/285 (20130101); A61M 25/09 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/055 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;600/407,410,421,423,424
;128/899 ;324/307,309,318,322 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3937052 |
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May 1990 |
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DE |
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0091577 |
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Oct 1983 |
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EP |
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0165742 |
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Dec 1985 |
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EP |
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0300147 |
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Jan 1989 |
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EP |
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0385367 |
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Sep 1990 |
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EP |
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8704080 |
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Jul 1987 |
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WO |
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Other References
Camart, et al., Coaxial Antenna Array for 915 MHZ Interstitial
Hyperthermia: Design and Modelization--Power Deposition and Heating
Pattern--Phase Array, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and
Techniques 40 December, No. 12 (1992). cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Smith; Ruth S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
Parent Case Text
CONTINUING DATA
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
08/311,700, filed 23 Sep., 1994, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A medical appliance comprising an elongated signal-receiving
antenna for detecting and providing magnetic resonance response
signals, the antennas adapted to be inserted into the body during
magnetic resonance imaging procedures and for providing the
response signals used for calculating a position of the medical
appliance in the body, wherein the antenna comprises an open wire
length including first and second conductor means having proximal
ends adapted and arranged for interconnection to a receiver to
couple the detected resonance response signals to the receiver,
spaced-part distal ends, and at least a first insulator means for
physically separating and electrically insulating adjacent portions
of the first and second conductor means, the distal ends of the
first and second conductor means and the at least first insulator
means adapted and arranged for exposure to a field of
electromagnetic energy during a magnetic resonance procedure to
couple electromagnetic energy from the field into the antenna and
detect and provide the magnetic resonance response signals to the
proximal ends of the conductor means.
2. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the open wire
length antenna is formed of a coaxial cable including the first and
second conductors in a coaxial arrangement.
3. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the open wire
length antenna is formed of a cable having the first conductor
enclosed in the first insulator, the first insulator surrounded by
the second conductor and the second conductor encased in a second
insulator, and wherein said first conductor and second conductor
have the same length.
4. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the open wire
length antenna is formed of a cable having the first conductor
enclosed in the first insulator, the first insulator surrounded by
the second conductor, and the second conductor encased in a second
insulator, and wherein said first conductor and second conductor
have unlike lengths.
5. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the open wire
length antenna is made of the first conductor, the first insulator
includes a first insulating coating applied on said first
conductor, the second conductor includes a conducting coating
surrounding said first insulating coating, and the antenna further
includes a second insulating coating applied on said conducting
coating, and wherein said first conductor and conducting coating
have the same length.
6. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the open wire
length antenna is made of the first conductor, the first insulator
includes a first insulating coating applied on said first
conductor, the second conductor includes a conducting coating
surrounding said first insulating coating, and the antenna further
includes a second insulating coating applied on said conducting
coating, and wherein said first conductor and conducting coating
have unlike lengths.
7. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first and
second conductors of the open wire length antenna include
conducting strands insulated from one another.
8. A medical appliance according to claim 7, wherein the first and
second conductor means are parallel to one another.
9. A medical appliance according to claim 7, wherein the first and
second conductor means are twisted.
10. A medical appliance according to claim 7, wherein the first and
second conductor means have the same length.
11. A medical appliance according to claim 7, wherein the first and
second conductor means have unlike lengths.
12. A medical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the open wire
length antenna forms at least a part of a guidewire for vascular
procedures.
13. A medical appliance antenna system for use in connection with
magnetic resonance imaging procedures, including: a medical
appliance comprising an elongated signal-receiving antenna for
detecting and providing magnetic resonance response signals, the
antenna adapted to be inserted into the body during magnetic
resonance imaging procedures and for providing the response signals
used for calculating a position of the medical appliance in the
body, wherein the antenna includes an open wire length including
first and second conductors having proximal ends adapted and
arranged for interconnection to a receiver to couple the detected
response signals to the receiver, spaced-apart distal ends, and at
least a first insulator for physically separating and electrically
insulating adjacent portions of the first and second conductors,
the distal ends of the first and second conductors and the at least
first insulator adapted and arranged for exposure to a field of
electromagnetic energy during a magnetic resonance procedure to
couple the electromagnetic energy from the field to the antenna and
detect and provide the magnetic resonance response signals to the
proximal ends of the conductors; and a receiver electrically
connected to the antenna for receiving the magnetic resonance
response signals and providing information representative of the
position of the medical appliance.
14. A medical appliance according to claim 13, wherein the open
wire length antenna is formed of a coaxial cable including the
first and second conductors in a coaxial arrangement.
15. A medical appliance according to claim 13, wherein the open
wire length antenna is formed of a cable having the first conductor
enclosed in the first insulator, the first insulator surrounded by
the second conductor and the second conductor encased in a second
insulator, and wherein said first conductor and second conductor
have the same length.
16. A medical appliance according to claim 13, wherein the open
wire length antenna is formed of a cable having the first conductor
enclosed in the first insulator, the first insulator surrounded by
the second conductor, and the second conductor encased in a second
insulator, and wherein said first conductor and second conductor
have unlike lengths.
17. A medical appliance according to claim 13, wherein the open
wire length antenna is made of the first conductor, the first
insulator includes a first insulating coating applied on said first
conductor, the second conductor includes a conducting coating
surrounding said first insulating coating, and the antenna further
includes a second insulating coating applied on said conducting
coating, and wherein said first conductor and conducting coating
have the same length.
18. A medical appliance according to claim 13, wherein the open
wire length antenna is made of the first conductor, the first
insulator includes a first insulating coating applied on said first
conductor, the second conductor includes a conducting coating
surrounding said first insulating coating, and the antenna further
includes a second insulating coating applied on said conducting
coating, and wherein said first conductor and conducting coating
have unlike lengths.
19. A medical appliance according to claim 13, wherein the first
and second conductors of the open wire length antenna include
conducting strands insulated from one another.
20. A medical appliance comprising an elongated and
signal-receiving antenna for detecting and providing magnetic
resonance response signals, the antenna adapted to be inserted into
the body during magnetic resonance imaging procedures and for
providing the response signals used for calculating a position of
the medical appliance in the body, wherein the antenna comprises an
open wire length including first and second conductors having
proximal ends adapted and arranged for interconnection to a
receiver to couple the detected resonance response signals to the
receiver, spaced-apart distal ends, and at least a first insulator
for physically separating and electrically insulating adjacent
portions of the first and second conductors, the distal ends of the
first and second conductors and the at least first insulator
adapted and arranged for exposure to a field of electromagnetic
energy during a magnetic resonance procedure to couple
electromagnetic energy from the field into the antenna and detect
and provide the magnetic resonance response signals to the distal
ends of the conductors.
21. A medical appliance according to claim 20, wherein the open
wire length antenna is formed of a coaxial cable including the
first and second conductors in a coaxial arrangement.
22. A medical appliance according to claim 20, wherein the open
wire length antenna is formed of a cable having the first conductor
enclosed in the first insulator, the first insulator surrounded by
the second conductor and the second conductor encased in a second
insulator, and wherein said first conductor and second conductor
have the same length.
23. A medical appliance according to claim 20, wherein the open
wire length antenna is formed of a cable having the first conductor
enclosed in the first insulator, the first insulator surrounded by
the second conductor, and the second conductor encased in a second
insulator, and wherein said first conductor and second conductor
have unlike lengths.
24. A medical appliance according to claim 20, wherein the open
wire length antenna is made of the first conductor, the first
insulator includes a first insulating coating applied on said first
conductor, the second conductor includes a conducting coating
surrounding said first insulating coating, and the antenna further
includes a second insulating coating applied on said conducting
coating, and wherein said first conductor and conducting coating
have the same length.
25. A medical appliance according to claim 20, wherein the open
wire length antenna is made of the first conductor, the first
insulator includes a first insulating coating applied on said first
conductor, the second conductor includes a conducting coating
surrounding said first insulating coating, and the antenna further
includes a second insulating coating applied on said conducting
coating, and wherein said first conductor and conducting coating
have unlike lengths.
26. A medical appliance according to claim 20, wherein the first
and second conductors of the open wire length antenna include
conducting strands insulated from one another.
27. A medical appliance according to claim 20 and further including
a receiver electrically connected to the antenna for receiving the
magnetic resonance response signals and providing information
representative of the position and orientation of the medical
appliance.
.Iadd.28. A medical apparatus for imaging a wall of a body cavity
in a patient by interacting with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
system which generates a magnetic field gradient and
electromagnetic (EM) radiation externally from the patient and
transmits the gradient and EM radiation into the patient and
receives a response signal indicative of a resonant response from
the patient, the apparatus comprising: an open wire length antenna
including an open conductor length configured to be inserted into
the cavity and provide the response signal, based on the resonant
response from a region of the patient closely proximate the
antenna, to the MRI system, where the open conductor length
includes at least one open ended conductive element; and a
controller coupled to the antenna and configured to receive the
response signal to obtain an image of the cavity wall proximate the
antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The medical apparatus of claim 28 wherein the controller
is configured to calculate antenna location by processing data to
obtain an image of the antenna, antenna position, and antenna
orientation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The medical apparatus of claim 28 wherein the controller
is configured to repeatedly measure, reconstruct and store the
image to obtain an increased resolution image of the cavity
wall..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The medical apparatus of claim 28 wherein the antenna is
configured to be capacitively coupled to an EM field generated by
the EM radiation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The medical apparatus of claim 28 wherein the cavity is
defined by vasculature in the patient and wherein the antenna is
configured for insertion into and passage through the
vasculature..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The medical apparatus of claim 32 wherein the antenna
forms at least a portion of a guidewire configured for insertion
into the vasculature for use in positioning of a
catheter..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The medical apparatus of claim 28 wherein the MRI system
includes a response signal receiver and processor and a control
station, and wherein the controller is implemented as a part of the
control station or processor..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The medical apparatus of claim 28 wherein the antenna
includes a first elongate conductor having a portion thereof
forming the open conductor length, and a second elongate conductor,
the first and second elongate conductors extending to a proximal
end of the antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The medical apparatus of claim 35 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are coaxially arranged along at least a
portion of a length thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The medical apparatus of claim 35 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are separated by an insulative
layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The medical apparatus of claim 35 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are formed as a twisted
pair..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The medical apparatus of claim 35 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are generally linear and generally
parallel to one another..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. A method of generating an image of a wall of a body
cavity in a patient, the method comprising: inserting an open wire
length antenna including an open conductor length into the cavity,
where the open conductor length includes at least one open ended
conductive element; generating a magnetic field gradient and
electromagnetic (EM) radiation external from the patient and
transmitting the gradient and EM radiation into the patient;
transmitting a response signal, based on a detected resonant
response from a region of the patient closely proximate the
antenna, to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) processor; receiving
the response signal at the MRI processor; and obtaining an image of
the cavity wall proximate the antenna based on the response
signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The method of claim 40 wherein obtaining an image
comprises: repeatedly calculating antenna location..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The method of claim 41 wherein calculating antenna
location comprises: processing data to obtain an image of the
antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The method of claim 41 wherein calculating antenna
location comprises: calculating antenna position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The method of claim 41 wherein calculating antenna
location comprises: calculating antenna orientation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. The method of claim 40 wherein obtaining an image
comprises: repeatedly measuring, reconstructing and storing the
image to obtain an increased resolution image of the cavity
wall..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. The method of claim 40 wherein transmitting a response
signal comprises: capacitively coupling the antenna to an EM field
generated by the EM radiation to detect the resonant
response..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. The method of claim 40 wherein the cavity is defined by
vasculature in the patient and wherein inserting an antenna into
the cavity comprises: inserting the antenna into the vasculature;
and passing the antenna through the vasculature to a site to be
imaged..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. The method of claim 47 wherein the antenna is configured
as a guidewire and further comprising: positioning a catheter in
the vasculature through use of the guidewire..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. A method of generating an image of a blood vessel wall of
a blood vessel in a patient, the method comprising: inserting an
open wire length antenna including an open conductor length into
the blood vessel, where the open conductor length includes at least
one open ended conductive element; passing the antenna through the
blood vessel to a site to be imaged; generating a magnetic field
gradient and electromagnetic (EM) radiation external from the
patient and transmitting the gradient and EM radiation into the
patient; transmitting a response signal, based on a detected
resonant response from a region of the patient closely proximate
the antenna, to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) processor;
receiving the response signal at the MRI processor; and obtaining
an image of the blood vessel wall proximate the antenna based on
the response signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. A medical apparatus for imaging a blood vessel wall of a
blood vessel in a patient by interacting with a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) system which generates a magnetic field gradient and
electromagnetic (EM) radiation external from the patient and
transmits the gradient and EM radiation into the patient and
receives a response signal indicative of a resonant response from
the patient, the apparatus comprising: an open wire length antenna
configured to be inserted into the blood vessel and passed along
the blood vessel to a site to be imaged and to provide the response
signal, based on the resonant response from a region of the patient
closely proximate the antenna, to the MRI system, the antenna
including an open conductor length comprising at least one open
ended conductive element; and a controller coupled to the antenna
and configured to receive the response signal and repeatedly
calculate antenna location to obtain an image of the blood vessel
wall proximate the antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The medical apparatus of claim 50 wherein the antenna
includes a first elongate conductor having a portion thereof
forming the open conductor length, and a second elongate conductor,
the first and second elongate conductors extending to a proximal
end of the antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. The medical apparatus of claim 50 wherein the antenna is
configured to be capacitively coupled to an EM field generated by
the EM radiation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. A medical apparatus for imaging a body cavity wall of a
body cavity in a patient by interacting with a magnetic resonanse
imaging (MRI) system which generates a magnetic field gradient and
electromagnetic (EM) radiation external from the patient and
transmits the gradient and EM radiation into the patient and
receives a response signal indicative of a resonant response from
the patient, the apparatus comprising: an MRI open wire length
antenna configured to be inserted into the body cavity and passed
along the body cavity to a site to be imaged and to provide the
response signal, based on the resonant response from a region of
the patient closely proximate the antenna, to the MRI system, the
antenna including an open conductor length comprising at least one
open ended conductive element..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. The medical apparatus of claim 53 wherein the body cavity
is a blood vessel and further comprising: a controller coupled to
the antenna and configured to receive the response signal and
repeatedly calculate antenna location to obtain an image of the
blood vessel wall proximate the antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. A method of generating an image of a wall of a body
cavity in a patient, the method comprising: inserting a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) open wire length antenna into the body
cavity, the antenna including an open conductor length comprising
at least one open ended conductive element; passing the MRI open
wire length antenna through the body cavity to a site to be imaged;
and obtaining an MRI image of the body cavity wall proximate the
antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. The method of claim 55 wherein obtaining an image
comprises: generating a magnetic field gradient and electromagnetic
(EM) radiation external from the patient and transmitting the
gradient and EM radiation into the patient; transmitting a response
signal, based on a detected resonant response from a region of the
patient closely proximate the antenna, to an MRI processor;
receiving the response signal at the MRI processor; and calculating
antenna location based on the response signal..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. The method of claim 56 wherein calculating antenna
location comprises: repeatedly calculating antenna
location..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. The method of claim 56 wherein transmitting a response
signal comprises: capacitively coupling the antenna to an EM field
generated by the EM radiation to detect the resonant
response..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. The method of claim 55 wherein obtaining an MRI image
comprises: processing data to obtain an image of the
antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. The method of claim 55 wherein obtaining an MRI image
comprises: calculating antenna position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. The method of claim 55 wherein obtaining an MRI image
comprises: calculating antenna orientation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. The method of claim 55 wherein the body cavity is a blood
vessel and obtaining an MRI image comprises: repeatedly measuring,
reconstructing and storing the image to obtain an increased
resolution image of the blood vessel wall..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. The method of claim 55 wherein the body cavity is defined
by vasculature and the antenna is configured as a guidewire and
further comprising: positioning a catheter in the vasculature
through use of the guidewire..Iaddend.
.Iadd.64. A medical apparatus for imaging a wall of a body cavity
in a patient by interacting with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
system which generates a magnetic field gradient and
electromagnetic (EM) radiation and transmits the gradient and EM
radiation into the patient and receives a response signal
indicative of a resonant response from the patient, the apparatus
comprising: an antenna including an open conductor length
configured to be inserted into the cavity and provide the response
signal, based on the resonant response from a region of the patient
closely proximate the antenna, to the MRI system wherein the
antenna includes a first elongate conductor having a portion
thereof forming the open conductor length, and a second elongate
conductor, the first and second elongate conductors extending to a
proximal end of the antenna; and a controller coupled to the
antenna and configured to receive the response signal to obtain an
image of the cavity wall proximate the antenna..Iaddend.
.Iadd.65. The medical apparatus of claim 64 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are coaxially arranged along at least a
portion of a length thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.66. The medical apparatus of claim 64 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are separated by an insulative
layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.67. The medical apparatus of claim 64 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are formed as a twisted
pair..Iaddend.
.Iadd.68. The medical apparatus of claim 64 wherein the first and
second elongate conductors are generally linear and generally
parallel to one another..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a medical appliance for use in magnetic
resonance imaging procedures performed on a body, comprising an
antenna detecting magnetic resonance response signals, the antenna
intended to be inserted into the body for interacting with a
magnetic resonance procedure for calculating the position of the
medical appliance in the body.
Tracking of catheters and other devices positioned within a body
may be achieved by means of a magnetic resonance imaging system in
order to avoid using X-rays and the risk of accumulated X-ray dose
to the patient and long term exposure to the attending medical
staff.
Typically, such a magnetic resonance imaging system may be
comprised of magnet means, pulsed magnetic field gradient
generating means, a transmitter for electromagnetic waves in
radio-frequency, a radio-frequency receiver, a processor, and a
controller. The device to be tracked has attached to its end a
small coil of electrically conductive wire. The patient is placed
into the magnet means and the device is inserted into the patient.
The magnetic resonance imaging system generates electromagnetic
waves in radio-frequency and magnetic field gradient pulses that
are transmitted into the patient and that induce a resonant
response signal from selected nuclear spins within the patient.
This response signal induces current in the coil of electrically
conductive wire attached to the device. The coil thus detects the
nuclear spins in the vicinity of the coil. The radio-frequency
receiver receives this detected response signal and processes it
and then stores it with the controller. This is repeated in three
orthogonal directions. The gradients cause the frequency of the
detected signal to be directly proportional to the position of the
radio-frequency coil along each applied gradient.
The position of the radio-frequency coil inside the patient may
therefore be calculated by processing the data using Fourier
transformations so that a positional picture of the coil is
achieved. Since however the coil only reacts, literally not a
positional picture of the coil but in fact a positional picture of
the position of the response signals inside the patient is
achieved. Since this positional picture contains no information yet
on the region surrounding the immediate vicinity of the coil, this
positional picture can be superposed with a magnetic resonance
image of the region of interest. In this case the picture of the
region may have been taken and stored at the same occasion as the
positional picture or at any earlier occasion.
Radio-frequency antennas in the form of a coil couple inductively
to the electromagnetic field and they allow obtaining a
substantially spatially uniform magnetic field which results in a
relatively uniform image intensity over a wide region. The problem
is however that coil configurations are bulky (the received signal
is determined by the loop diameter) and cannot be implemented for
use in narrow vessels, whereby their use for the placement of
medical appliances such as catheters may be critical.
Furthermore, the spot image which is provided for by the coil
antenna does not allow knowing or even evaluating the orientation
of the device; as a result, the magnetic resonance imaging system
cannot be used for steering the device into tortuous areas such as
blood vessels.
European Patent No 0165742 describes a catheter for use with
magnetic resonance imaging systems. This catheter comprises a
sheath which has embedded within the wall thereof a pair of
conductors preferably formed of a foil composite obtained by
plating of conductive materials of selected magnetic susceptibility
to yield a composite of desired susceptibility substantially
matching that of the sheath. In this way, the magnetic invisibility
of the catheter is maintained. The tip of the catheter contains a
loop connecting the conductors, the phase of such a loop being
preferably transverse to the catheter symmetry axis. As explained
in the document, when excited by a weak pulse source, the loop
supports a dipole magnetic field which locally distorts the
magnetic resonance image providing an image cursor on the magnetic
resonance imaging display, and a low magnetic susceptibility
functional element such as a light pipe threaded into the catheter
sheath allows direction of the catheter through selected blood
vessels. The essence of this structure is thus the accurate
location and monitoring of the catheter tip.
However, this is achieved within the environment of a bulky
configuration which cannot be advanced through narrow vessels and
which cannot be steered by reference to the magnetic resonance
imaging system.
The document WO 87/04080 shows surgical catheters composed of
alternating annular segments of non-magnetic materials which are
highly opaque to nuclear magnetic resonance examination and less
opaque, respectively. These catheters have thin coatings of
silicone rubber on their external surface as well as on internal
surface of their main central lumen. A plurality of further lumens
are distributed circumferentially within the catheter wall and
guidance wires are housed in said lumens, secured at the distal end
of the catheter wall and coupled to a joystick at the proximal end
of the catheter for individual tightening and relaxing to permit
radial guidance of the distal end of the catheter. The central
lumen of the catheter and still further secondary lumens arranged
in the catheter wall are for the distribution of various drugs or
for surgical tools such as optic fiber for laser surgery or
suturing devices or still stitching grippers. By these
arrangements, location of the catheters is apparent under nuclear
magnetic resonance examination, visually at the distal end. These
structures are however bulky and they have the same drawbacks as
outlined hereinbefore.
European Patent Application published under N 0385367 shows an
insertable prostate pick-up probe devised for being a nuclear
magnetic resonance receiving device capable of imaging spectra from
the human prostate and surrounding tissue; this probe may also be
used as the transmit coil for radio-frequency excitation. This
probe is intended to be used with an interface network providing
the tuning, impedance matching, and decoupling functions, and
including a connection to a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.
The probe includes a shaft supporting a patient interface balloon
at its distal end, comprising an inner balloon and an outer
balloon, the inner balloon being capable of being inflated with air
supplied through a lumen within the shaft. A non-stretchable lane
formed of an adhesive backed cloth material partly covers the inner
balloon and serves as a guide for a flexible receiving coil
arranged between the inner balloon and the outer balloon, this coil
being electrically connected to the interface via an insulated
cable extending through the shaft. Upon inflation, the
non-stretchable plane rises and forces the receiving coil and outer
balloon against the region of interest so that the receiving coil
is in position to receive the best possible radio-frequency signal
from the region of interest. Special indentations forming a shell
are provided on the outer balloon to act as coil positioners when
the balloon is in its uninflated state so that the coil may be
repeatedly positioned relative to the shell inside the outer
balloon for numerous clinical inflation and deflation cycles. A
colored stripe is marked on the shaft, possibly including a scale,
for indicating the distance which the shaft has been inserted into
the patient and also the radial orientation of the balloon for
proper alignment with the region of interest. In operation, the
probe is inserted while the patient interface balloon is in the
uninflated state; the alignment stripe marked on the shaft is used
to radially and longitudinally position the probe within the region
of interest. Once the probe is correctly placed, the patient
interface balloon is inflated and the receiving coil is forced
against the region of interest. The probe is then connected to the
interface network via the insulated cable.
This particular arrangement of the radio-frequency coil does not
reduce the bulk of the system which cannot be used for narrow or
tortuous vessels. Furthermore, the system does not provide for any
information as to orientation of the probe for steering
purposes.
The document DE-3937052 A1 shows a biopsy tube for use in a
magnetic resonance imaging procedure, comprising longitudinally
extending coaxial conductor tubes separated by insulator tubes and
extending the length of the biopsy tube. In a further embodiment,
the conductor tubes are replaced by gutter like portions of coaxial
conductor tubes which are separated by an insulator filling. Here
again, the result is a bulky configuration which cannot be advanced
to narrow vessels. In addition, that kind of assembly is
substantially stiff, thereby further preventing the applicability
of the instrument in tortuous vessels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to improve the possibilities of
using magnetic resonance imaging procedures by means of a medical
appliance which is simple and efficient, which may continuously
provide a full information as to its position and orientation,
which occupies a minimal space and which has a great flexibility so
as to be capable of reaching narrow and tortuous vascular
configurations, which may be actually steered under magnetic
resonance imaging, which may be used as an interventional means,
and which may also prove efficient in the determination of the
vascular configurations.
To this effect, the medical appliance according to the invention
complies with the definitions given in the claims.
As opposed to the coil configuration, the open wire length antenna
couples capacitively to the electromagnetic field and as the
received signal originates from the immediate neighborhood of the
open wire length, it becomes possible to obtain an image of the
antenna, of its position, as well as of its orientation. Steering
of the appliance is thus actually possible. The open wire length
antenna may be extremely thin and it may also have a high
flexibility, allowing safe driving and passage through vascular
configurations, even in tortuous and restricted areas thereof. This
opens way to using magnetic resonance imaging procedures in
interventional conditions where time and precision are of the
essence. By repeatedly measuring, reconstructing, and displaying
the image with a very short image repetition time, a magnetic
resonance imaging fluoroscopy system can be created. And one could
also use the open wire length antenna to make a high resolution
image of a vessel wall.
According to a simple inexpensive embodiment, the open wire length
antenna may be formed by a coaxial cable.
According to an embodiment aiming very thin configurations, the
open wire length antenna may be made of a coaxial cable in which
the shield and insulators are respectively made of a conductor
coating and insulating coatings. In both these cases, the first and
second conducting elements of the coaxial configuration may have
the same length or unlike lengths.
According to a further embodiment, also aiming very thin
configurations, the open wire length antenna may be made of two
conducting strands insulated from one another, twisted or parallel
to one another. And these strands may have the same length or
unlike lengths.
The open wire length antenna may be included in a catheter and the
like. As opposed to coil antennas for which the received signal
depends on the loop diameter, the diameter of the open wire length
antenna is of secondary relevance and, therefore, the open wire
length antenna may be devised to form the whole or part of a
guidewire as used in vascular procedures for the positioning of
catheters and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects will become readily apparent from the
following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
drawings which show, diagrammatically and by way of example only,
four embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system environmental to the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal part section of a first embodiment of the
appliance according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal part section of a second embodiment of the
appliance according to the invention.
FIGS. 4 and 5 ate longitudinal views of two further embodiments of
the appliance according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The system shown in FIG. 1 is a magnetic resonance imaging
apparatus 1 comprising a magnet system 2 for generating a
homogeneous magnetic field on a subject 3 placed on a support table
4. Inside the magnet system 2 is a coil structure 5 to produce
around the subject a magnetic field obtained from radio-frequency
energy source 6. Receiver 7 responds to the resonance signal and
processor 8 reconstitutes the integers of the projection which will
be shown on display 11. The medical appliance 9, inserted into
subject 3, is connected via conductor 10 to control station 12.
Such a general configuration is familiar to those skilled in the
art and it will not be described in further detail.
The appliance 9, as exemplified in FIG. 2, is a guidewire including
an open wire length antenna formed by a coaxial cable comprising a
central conductor 13 enclosed in an insulator 14 surrounded by a
shield 15 encased in an insulator 16. As used in this application,
an open wire length includes an open-ended or un-delimited piece of
wire, as opposed to a closed wire length such as a piece of wire
with a coil configuration at the end. The shield 15 and the outer
insulator 16 of the coaxial cable have been removed from a portion
distal end 17. The proximal end (not shown) of the coaxial cable is
for connection to the standard antenna input of control station 12
as generally shown in FIG. 1.
The appliance 9 of FIG. 3 is also a guidewire including an open
wire length antenna formed by a coaxial cable.
However, the insulator .[.140.]. .Iadd.14 .Iaddend.surrounding the
central conductor 130 is replaced by an insulating coating 140,
while the shield 15 is replaced by a conductor coating 150 and the
insulator 16 by an insulator coating 160. As for the embodiment of
FIG. 3, the conductor coating 150 and insulator coating 160 have
been removed from a portion of the distal end of tip 170. Also, the
proximal end (not shown) of this coaxial cable is adapted to
connection to the standard antenna input of control station 12
(FIG. 1).
Variants may be envisaged.
For instance, the outer conductor and insulator, 15-16 resp.
150-160, need not be removed from a portion of the distal end 17
resp. 170. Similarly, the outer conductor and insulator may be
removed a far greater length from the distal end 17 resp. 170, and
it is also possible to have them removed to the proximal end of the
guidewire, outside of the patient.
Subject to the precautions or requirements inherent to patient
protection, it would be also possible to have the guidewire
comprised of a naked conductor 13 or 130, while the insulator 14 or
140 and outer conductor 15, 150 and insulator 16, 160 would be
installed towards the proximal end of the guidewire, outside of the
patient.
Similarly, the coaxial configuration shown is not compulsory, being
possible to have the open wire length antenna as a naked or
insulated wire with appropriate polarities arranged for connection
thereof to the antenna input of the control station.
FIG. 4 shows one such possibility, in which the open wire length
antenna is made of two twisted conducting strands 18 and 19
insulated from one another by appropriate coatings 20 and 21.
FIG. 5 also shows one such possibility, in which the open wire
length antenna is made of two conducting strands 22 and 23 parallel
to one another and separated by insulator coatings 24 and 25.
As for the previous embodiments, the strands 18 and 19,
respectively 22 and 23, may have the same length or unlike
lengths.
In both the embodiments of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the channels 30 which
are left open along the insulated strands may be used for further
investigation purposes when the open wire length antenna is placed
in the lumen of a catheter, for example for pressure readings.
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