Method for generating a gating signal for an MRI system using an ultrasonic detector
OwnerJonathan M. Rubin, Jeffrey B. Fowlkes +1inventors
InventorsJonathan M. Rubin, Jeffrey B. Fowlkes, Charles R. Meyer
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Abstract
An MRI system includes an ultrasonic detector system that includes an ultrasonic transducer placed to detect movement of selected anatomic structure in a patient. The transducer signal is analyzed to produce a gating signal which is used by the MRI system to trigger data acquisition.
Claims33
In an MRI system having a magnet which produces a polarizing magnetic field in which a patient to be imaged is placed and having a pulse generator which directs the MRI system to perform an imaging pulse sequence to acquire NMR data from which an image of the patient is produced, an ultrasonic detector which comprises:
- an acoustic transducer acoustically coupled to irradiate a selected anatomic structure in the patient with ultrasonic energy when energized;
- a transmitter connected to energize the acoustic transducer;
- a receiver connected to the acoustic transducer to produce an echo signal responsive to ultrasonic energy reflected by the selected anatomic structure;
- and
- a signal analyzer connected to the receiver and being operable to produce a gating signal from the echo signal;
- wherein the gating signal is coupled to the pulse generator to control the performance of said imaging pulse sequence.
A method for producing a gating signal for an MRI system, the steps comprising:
- a) irradiating with acoustic energy a selected anatomic structure in a patient to be imaged;
- b) receiving an echo signal produced by acoustic energy reflected from the selected anatomic structure;
- c) analyzing the echo signal to detect a predetermined condition of the selected anatomic structure;
- and
- d) producing a gating signal for the MRI system each time the predetermined condition is detected.
A method for monitoring a patient positioned in the polarizing magnetic field of an MRI system, the steps comprising:
- a) irradiating with acoustic energy a selected anatomic structure in the patient;
- b) receiving an echo signal produced by acoustic energy reflected from the selected anatomic structure;
- c) analyzing the echo signal to detect a condition of the selected anatomic structure;
- and
- d) producing a signal which indicates the condition of the anatomic structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.