# US 2010/0166278 A1 · Magnetic Resonance Imaging For Diagnostic Mapping Of Tissues > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166278 A1 - Document ID: US20100166278A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/595,462 - Filed: 2008-04-11 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-11 - Assignees: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Inventors: Walter R. Witschey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166278A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging - G01R 33/56: Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques {, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution} - A61B 5/4514: {Cartilage} - 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)} - 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 Methods of, and systems for, magnetic resonance imaging of diagnostic mapping of tissues, where sodium mapping is performed individually, as well as in combination with other images of tissue, such as T1ρ, T2, and/or T1-weighted images. In one method embodiment, a sodium image of the tissue is acquired during the same scanning session. Maps are constructed of each of the first and sodium images individually, and in combination, and further facilitate viewing in combination with each other as a single, blended image of the tissue. Maps of the images may be displayed individually or in combination with each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnostic mapping of tissue, the MRI system having pulses delivered by RF scanner coil(s), the method comprising: acquiring a first T-image of the tissue during a scanning session, wherein the first image includes at least one of a T1ρ, a T1-weighted, and a T2 image; acquiring a Na image of the tissue during the same scanning session; and constructing computer-generated maps of each of the first T-image and Na image individually, and in combination with each other, such that the first and Na images are viewable in at least one of individually and in combination with each other as a single, blended image of the tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising simultaneously displaying the first T-image and the Na image in combination with each other, as a single, blended image of the imaged tissue. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising studying cartilage pathology and arthritis utilizing the simultaneously displayed first T-image and Na image in combination with each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising studying any of the following: intervertebral disk pathology, tumors, Alzheimer's disease, or neurodegeneration, utilizing the simultaneously displayed first T-image and Na image in combination with each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first T-image and the Na image are three-plane images of the tissue. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first T-image is a T1ρ image. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising studying any of the following: cartilage pathology and arthritis, intervertebral disk pathology, tumors, Alzheimer's disease, or neurodegeneration utilizing the simultaneously displayed first T-image and Na image in combination with each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) One or more computer-readable media for magnetic resonance imaging for diagnostic mapping of tissue, the medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of the MRI system having pulses delivered by RF scanner coil(s), cause the device to perform the steps of claim 1. ### Claim 9 A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnostic mapping of tissue, the MRI system having pulses delivered by RF scanner coil(s), the method comprising: acquiring a T1ρ image of the tissue during a scanning session; acquiring a Na image of the tissue during the same scanning session; constructing a computer-generated map of each of the T1ρ image and the Na image individually, such that the T1ρ image and the Na images are viewable individually; constructing a computer-generated map of each of the T1ρ image and the Na image in simultaneous combination, such that the T1ρ and Na images are viewable as a single, blended image of the tissue; and displaying the single, blended image of the tissue. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising using the single, blended image of the tissue to study cartilage pathology and arthritis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising using the single, blended image of the tissue to study at least one of: intervertebral disk pathology, tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and neuro degeneration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, furthering comprising: acquiring a T1-weighted image during the same scanning session, and constructing a computer-generated map of the T1-weighted image in combination with the T1ρ and Na images, such that the T1-weighted, T1ρ, and Na images are viewable as a single, blended image of the tissue; and displaying the T1-weighted, T1ρ, and Na images as a single, blended image of the tissue. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising using the single, blended image of the tissue to study cartilage pathology and arthritis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising using the single, blended image of the tissue to study at least one of: intervertebral disk pathology, tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and neuro degeneration. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: acquiring a T2 image during the same scanning session, and constructing a map of the T2 image in combination with the T1ρ and Na images, such that the T2, T1ρ, and Na images are viewable as a single, blended image of the tissue; and displaying the T2, T1-weighted, T1ρ, and Na images as a single, blended image of the tissue. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising using the single, blended image of the tissue to study cartilage pathology and arthritis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising using the single, blended image of the tissue to study at least one of: intervertebral disk pathology, tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and neuro degeneration. ### Claim 18 A magnetic-resonance-imaging system, having pulses delivered by RF scanner coil(s), the system comprising: device in the system for acquiring onto a computer, a T1ρ image of a tissue during a scanning session; device in the system for acquiring onto the computer, an Na image of the tissue during the same scanning session; computer means for constructing computer-generated maps of each of the T1ρimage and the Na images individually, and simultaneously in combination with each other, such that the T1ρ and Na images are viewable in at least one of individually and in combination with each other as a single, blended image of the tissue; and device for displaying same. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, furthering comprising: device for acquiring a T1-weighted image during the same scanning session, and constructing a computer-generated map of the T1-weighted image in combination with the T1ρ and Na images, such that the T1-weighted, T1ρ, and Na images are viewable as a single, blended image of the tissue; and device for displaying the T1-weighted, T1ρ, and Na images as a single, blended image of the tissue. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, further comprising: device for acquiring a T2 image during the same scanning session, and constructing a map of the T2 image in combination with the T1ρ, T1-weighted, and Na images, such that the T2, T1ρ, T1-weighted and Na images are viewable as a single, blended image of the tissue; and device for displaying the T2, T1ρ, T1-weighted and Na images as a single, blended image of the tissue.