Method and components for in vivo determination of malignancy
AssigneeWeinberg Medical Physics LLC
InventorsIrving N. WEINBERG, Wolfgang LOSERT
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Abstract
An apparatus and method apply magnetic fields by generators external to a body or body part with sensors within an in vivo source that are sensitive to applied magnetic fields Through the use of these applied magnetic fields and sensitive sensors, disclosed embodiments can realize much better spatial resolution than is conventionally possible.
Claims33
A method of using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the microscopic cellular characteristics of one or more cells in a body part in order to provide diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment planning information, the method comprising:
- generating at least one magnetic gradient in the body part using at least one coil under control of a control unit;
- and
- detecting radio frequency energy received from the body part to obtain imaging data regarding the body part so as to perform magnetic resonance imaging of the body part to detect the shape and motion of cells in the body part;
- and
- predicting the malignancy and/or malignancy-potential of tissues in the body part based on the cellular characteristics,
- wherein the spatial resolution of the magnetic resonance imaging instrument is better than 25 microns full-width at half-maximum.
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate cellular dynamics in a body part to provide diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment planning information, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one coil;
- and
- a control unit,
- wherein the at least one coil is under the control of the control unit to generate and transmit radio frequency energy into the body part,
- wherein radio frequency energy is received from the body part and analyzed to obtain imaging data regarding the body part so as to perform magnetic resonance imaging of the body part to detect cellular characteristics,
- wherein malignancy and/or malignancy-potential of tissues in the body part are characterized based on the detected cellular characteristics, and
- wherein a spatial resolution of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is better than 25 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.