Passive wire reflectors for improved image quality in MR-guided focused ultrasound
AssigneeVanderbilt University
InventorsXinqiang Yan, William A. Grissom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for transcranial magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound and method of using transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound are disclosed. The system includes a transcranial ultrasound transducer configured to apply ultrasound radiation to a patient's head. The system also includes an antenna that reflects radio frequency (RF) waves. The antenna is configured to be positioned between the transducer and the patient's head. The antenna and at least a portion of the patient's head are surrounded by a fluid. Embodiments foster improved MR image quality scans of the patient's head when the transducer is filled with the fluid.
Claims20
A system for transcranial magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound, the system comprising:
- a transcranial ultrasound transducer configured to apply ultrasound radiation to a head of a patient, the transcranial ultrasound transducer comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity that is configured to receive the head of the patient;
- and
- a transducer surface within the housing;
- an antenna that is configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) waves;
- and
- a support configured to be connected to the transcranial ultrasound transducer and configured to suspend the antenna within the cavity, wherein:
- the support configured to support the antenna at a position at which,
- when the head is received within the cavity, the antenna is positioned entirely within the cavity between the housing and the head, and
- the antenna is passive and does not form an electrical connection.
A system for transcranial magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound, the system comprising:
- a transcranial ultrasound transducer configured to apply ultrasound radiation to a head of a patient, the transcranial ultrasound transducer comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity that is configured to receive the head of the patient;
- and
- a transducer surface within the housing;
- an antenna that is configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) waves;
- and
- a support configured to be connected to the transcranial ultrasound transducer and configured to suspend the antenna within the cavity, wherein:
- when the head of the patient is received within the cavity the antenna is between an inner surface of the housing and a top of the head, and
- the antenna is passive and does not form an electrical connection.
A system for transcranial magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound, the system comprising:
- a transcranial ultrasound transducer configured to apply ultrasound radiation to a head of a patient, the transcranial ultrasound transducer comprising:
- a housing that is concave, the housing defining a cavity comprising a bottom opening that is configured to receive the head of the patient;
- and
- a transducer surface within the housing;
- an antenna that is configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) waves;
- and
- a support configured to be connected to an outer rim of the transcranial ultrasound transducer and configured to suspend the antenna within the cavity, wherein:
- when the head of the patient is received within the cavity the antenna is between an inner surface of the housing and a top of the head,
- the antenna is passive and does not form an electrical connection, and
- the antenna is positioned within the cavity between the inner surface and the bottom opening and is configured to reflect RF waves entering the cavity from the bottom opening before the RF waves reach the inner surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.