# US 10,441,218 B2 · Oscillation applicator for MR rheology

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- Number: US 10,441,218 B2
- Document ID: US10441218B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/406,388
- Filed: 2013-05-30
- Published: 2015-05-28
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-12
- Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- Inventors: Peter Vernickel; Christoph Leussler; Daniel Wirtz; Peter Mazurkewitz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441218B2

## CPC

- A61B 5/6831: {Straps, bands or harnesses}
- A61B 5/6843: {Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure}
- G01R 33/3415: comprising arrays of sub-coils {, i.e. phased-array coils with flexible receiver channels}
- G01R 33/50: based on the determination of relaxation times {, e.g. T1 measurement by IR sequences; T2 measurement by multiple-echo sequences}
- G01R 33/5608: {Data processing and visualization specially adapted for MR, e.g. for feature analysis and pattern recognition on the basis of measured MR data, segmentation of measured MR data, edge contour detection on the basis of measured MR data, for enhancing measured MR data in terms of signal-to-noise ratio by means of noise filtering or apodization, for enhancing measured MR data in terms of resolution by means for deblurring, windowing, zero filling, or generation of gray-scaled images, colour-coded images or images displaying vectors instead of pixels (image data processing or generation, in general G06T)}
- G01R 33/56358: {Elastography}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. It concerns an oscillation applicator for MR rheology. It is an object of the invention to provide an oscillation applicator without restrictions regarding the usability for certain body regions. According to the invention, the oscillation applicator comprises at least one transducer which generates a reciprocating motion at a given frequency and a belt (19) mechanically coupled to the transducer, which belt (19) is designed to be wrapped around a patient's body (10). Moreover, the invention relates to a MR device (1) and to a method of MR imaging.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of at least a portion of a body of a patient placed in a magnetic field within the examination volume of a MR device, the method comprising:
subjecting the at least a portion of the body to an oscillating mechanical excitation using transducers configured to oscillate at a given frequency, wherein a belt of varying width is configured to convey oscillating motion of the transducers to the body, and wherein the subjecting the at least a portion of the body to the oscillating mechanical excitation is controlled by placing a portion of reduced width of the belt where it is desired to apply increased pressure;
subjecting the at least a portion of the body to an imaging sequence comprising one or more radiofrequency (RF) pulses and switched magnetic field gradients, whereby MR signals are acquired from the at least a portion of the body; and
deriving spatially resolved parameters reflecting the elasticity and/or the viscosity of a tissue of the body from the acquired MR signals.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of MR imaging according to claim 1, wherein at least one transducer of the transducers is arranged in an oscillator housing which is attached to the belt, and a spring is attached between an end of the belt and the oscillator housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of MR imaging according to claim 1, wherein the transducers are supported on an outside of the belt wrapped around the at least a portion of the body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of MR imaging according to claim 1, further comprising accessing the patient for intervention through a gap portion of the belt.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of MR imaging according to claim 1, wherein the subjecting the at least a portion of the body to the oscillating mechanical excitation is further controlled by placing a broader portion of the belt in comparison to the portion of reduced width where it is desired to apply reduced pressure.