An extended forward looking RF coil is shaped similarly to the tip of a pencil, for use in imaging and visualization of anatomy or certain conditions, including cancer. The RF coils are designed using the concept of image RF fields. The coils all include an inner void, which is surrounded by a cone-shaped plastic enclosure. A metallic layer is deposited on a surface of the cone and serves as a metallic layer backing the coils. The metallic layer includes a dielectric region, with altered size and geometry. Several solenoidal coil windings are placed outside the dielectric. The coil windings are denser on the Left (Forward) as compared to the Right (Backwards), in order to concentrate the magnetic field in the Forward direction. The extended forward looking coil is further integrated into an anatomy-specific, imaging array with sideways-looking RF coils, intended for improved imaging along cylindrical sides of the pencil-shaped device.

Apparatus and systems for providing magnetic fields for controlling micro-devices implanted in a patient body, organ, or tissue. Novel coil configurations are disclosed which provide magnetic fields of adequate strength and directional characteristics over a large operational region with minimal weight and power dissipation, while providing ease of access to the focus regions. Also provided are micro-devices in various size regimes which can be controlled both in position as well as in function (such as release of therapeutic materials), and which are capable of both energy and data transfer with the magnetic field control system.

Apparatus, having a frame encompassing a volume. The apparatus includes three pairs of separated planar conductive coils, the separated coils of each pair having a common axis of symmetry, the three pairs being attached to the frame so that the common axes of symmetry are mutually orthogonal, and so that the coils surround the volume. An alternating current power supply is coupled to drive the separated coils of each pair in anti-phase so as to generate a magnetic field having a preset spatial variance over the volume. The apparatus also includes a probe that is configured to enter the volume and that has a sensor coupled to generate a signal responsive to a temporal rate of change of the magnetic field and to the preset spatial variance thereof. A processor is configured to receive the signal and in response formulates a position of the probe within the volume.

A neurosurgical robotic system for bilateral stereotaxy that integrates intraoperative MRI guidance is provided. The robotic system can be implemented in regular diagnostic MRI facilities. Navigation for bilateral brain targets can be performed independently and simultaneously. The robotic system includes a plurality of manipulators, a needle guide (31), a needle (12) disposed within the needle guide (31); and a mounting base (39) with a plurality of screw holes for bone mounting.

An apparatus for detecting low level pulses of millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation has an electromagnetic field receiver including: a receiving antenna configured to receive an input signal at one or more frequencies ranging from 10 GHz to 100 GHz, and a diode detector coupled to the receiving antenna, the diode detector providing an output voltage signal in response to the input signal. The apparatus also has an electronic signal processor. This produces an amplified voltage signal. The electronic signal processor also produces from the amplified voltage signal a reduced bandwidth, unipolar voltage signal proportional to a peak power of the input signal. The electronic signal processor uses this to produce an amplified reduced bandwidth, unipolar voltage signal. At least the electronic signal processor is encased in an electronically shielded housing.

An MR marker (501, 601, 803, 902) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided intervention and method of fabricating same. The tracking device can be integrated with an MRI-guided robotic system to provide precise positional tracking of the interventional tools and robotic components, allowing safe operation inside the human body. The MR tracking device includes a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards; a plurality of flat planar spirals comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and directly disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface side of each flexible printed circuit board, a biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic material encapsulating the flexible printed circuit boards; and an adhesive bonding the flexible printed circuit boards. In another aspect, an orientation-independent device is provided including three or more markers (501, 601, 803, 902) in an array around a cylindrical substrate.

Devices and systems can be configured to guide an instrument to a target region. The guide system may include an imaging guide including a first segment, the first segment including a guide region and imaging coils surrounding the guide region; and a platform. The platform may include a first rail, a second rail disposed parallel to the first rail, and a positioning member disposed between the first rail and the second rail. The positioning member may include a positioning frame having an entry region. The positioning frame may be movably disposed with respect to the first and second rails in a first direction and a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The platform may be disposed with respect to the imaging guide so that a position of the entry region is within the guide region.

Disclosed herein are segmented MRI-compatible interventional devices, such as catheters and guidewires, that provide desired mechanical properties while avoiding undesired interactions with MRI fields. Disclosed devices can include helical wires with insulated breaks at intervals along each wire so that the insulated wire segments are individually short enough to avoid substantial resonance and heat being generated in the wires due to an applied MRI field. The segmented wires can be organized into a braided/woven tubular configuration or a non-braided intercalated/parallel tubular configuration that provides the desired mechanical properties similar to conventional metallic braided catheters. The helical wire segments can be insulated such that the wires do not touch each other at points where they cross over each other. Breaks in the wires can be staggered along the longitudinal axis of the device and/or circumferentially around the device to minimize formation of weak areas where wire breaks are aligned or grouped.

A magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and method for controlling a generation of an imaging sequence for imaging a subject. The method includes generating an MR tracking sequence for tracking a position of an MR active device located in the subject; obtaining MR signals detected by the MR active device as a result of the generated tracking sequence; processing the obtained MR signals to determine the position of the MR active device; determining whether a trigger condition is satisfied by comparing the determined position of the MR active device to a predetermined trigger position; and generating the imaging sequence if the trigger condition is satisfied, wherein if the trigger condition is not satisfied, the imaging sequence is not generated.

According to some aspects, a system configured to facilitate imaging an infant using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided herein. The system comprises an infant-carrying apparatus comprising an infant support configured to support the infant and an isolette for positioning the infant relative to the MRI device, the isolette comprising: a base for supporting the infant-carrying apparatus; and a bottom surface configured to be coupled to the MRI device. In some embodiments, the infant-carrying apparatus further comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) coil coupled to the infant support and configured to be coupled to the MRI device to detect MR signals during imaging performed by the MRI device. A method for positioning an infant relative to an MRI device using an infant-carrying apparatus and isolette is further provided herein.