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US 6,606,513 B2Granted
Magnetic resonance imaging transseptal needle antenna
AssigneeSurgi-Vision, Inc.
InventorsAlbert C. Lardo, Elliott R. McVeigh, Henry R. Halperin
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Abstract
The invention describes a system, method, and means for an MRI transseptal needle that can be visible on an MRI, can act as an antenna and receive MRI signals from surrounding subject matter to generate high-resolution images and can enable real-time active needle tracking during MRI guided transseptal puncture procedures.
Claims20
A transseptal needle antenna system suitable for receiving magnetic resonance signals from a sample, comprising:
- a hollow needle having a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion having a distalmost end sharpened for penetrating a myocardial wall, and said needle further comprising a first conductor;
- an insulator/dielectric applied to cover the first conductor over the proximal portion of said needle;
- a second conductor applied to cover the insulator/dielectric;
- and
- an interface assembly for interfacing with an MRI scanner.
2 more elements
A method for visualizing an intrathoracic region of interest using MRI techniques, comprising:
- providing a needle system comprising a hollow needle having a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion having a distalmost end sharpened for penetrating a myocardial wall, and said needle further comprising a first conductor, an insulator/dielectric applied to cover the first conductor over the proximal portion of said needle and a second conductor applied to cover the insulator/dielectric;
- directing the needle system into proximity to a myocardial wall;
- tracking progress of the needle system using active MRI tracking;
- penetrating the myocardial wall to approach the intrathoracic region of interest;
- and
- using the needle system as an MRI antenna to receive magnetic resonance signals from the intrathoracic region of interest.
3 more elements
A sampling needle antenna system, comprising:
- a needle having a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion having a distalmost end sharpened for penetrating a myocardial wall, and said needle further comprising a first conductor;
- an insulator/dielectric covering said first conductor over at least said proximal portion of said needle;
- and
- a second conductor covering said insulator/dielectric;
- wherein said first conductor, said insulator/dielectric, and said second conductor form a magnetic resonance imaging antenna.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.