The invention pertains to advances in real-time methods in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, and non-invasive medical ablation by offering: a new real-time processing method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum acquisition without external resonator(s), which remains stable despite magnetic field fluctuations, a new processing method for nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum acquisition, which remains stable despite magnetic field fluctuations and resonator stability, a new method of constructing predetermined magnets from appropriate magnetic material that allows for focusing the magnetic field in a target region, a new dual frequency dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) generator that polarizes the spin of electrons and acts as an NMR transmitter, a new real-time processing method for visualizing, targeting, and guiding surgical and other non-invasive processes, and a new method of non-invasive ablation, heat generation, and chemical reaction activation inside the human body to support a fully automatic or semi-automatic surgical procedure without the use of invasive devices, thus providing material reduction in risk to patient safety.

A system and method to analyze image data. The image data may be used to assist in determine the presence of a feature in the image. The feature may include a bubble.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining quantitative chemical exchange or exchangeable proton information from a region-of-interest in a subject. The methods and systems use adaptive fitting to quantify magnetic resonance (MR) data, such as chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI) images, using initial values based on, for example, Lorentzian fitting. Images are iteratively less downsampled until quantitative maps of desired resolution are obtained. Such an approach allows for reliable fitting at a faster fitting speed, and is less susceptible to suboptimal signal to noise (SNR) than conventional methods.

The invention provides for a medical apparatus (400, 500, 600, 700, 800) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (402) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (442) from a subject (418). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnet (404) with an imaging zone (408). The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (432) for storing machine executable instructions (460, 462, 464, 466, 10, 660). The medical apparatus further comprises a processor (426) for controlling the medical apparatus, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to: acquire (100, 200, 300) the magnetic resonance thermometry data from multiple slices (421, 421, 421) within the imaging zone by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system; and interpolate (102, 202, 204, 302, 304) a three dimensional thermal dose estimate (444) in accordance with the magnetic resonance thermometry data.

Example embodiments of system and method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for planning, real-time monitoring, control, and post-treatment assessment of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) mechanical fractionation of biological material are disclosed. An adapted form of HIFU, referred to as boiling histotripsy (BH), can be used to cause mechanical fractionation of biological material. In contrast to conventional HIFU, which cause pure thermal ablation, BH can generate therapeutic destruction of biological tissue with a degree of control and precision that allows the process to be accurately measured and monitored in real-time as well as the outcome of the treatment can be evaluated using a variety of MRI techniques. Real-time monitoring also allow for real-time control of BH.

A pH-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method and system are provided that works by indirectly measuring the NMR signal from amine protons found on the backbones of amino acids and other metabolites, which resonate at a frequency of +2.8-3.2 ppm with respect to bulk water protons. The technique uses a modified magnetization transfer radiofrequency saturation pulse for the generation of image contrast. A train of three 100 ms Gaussian pulses at high amplitude (6 uT) or Sinc3 pulses are played at a particular frequency off-resonance from bulk water prior to a fast echo planar imaging (EPI) readout, with one full image acquired at each offset frequency. This non-invasive pH-weighted MRI technique does not require exogenous contrast agents and can be used in preclinical investigations and clinical monitoring in patients with malignant glioma, stroke, and other ailments.

In an embodiment, a method for effecting thermal therapy using an in vivo probe includes positioning the probe in a volume in a patient, identifying an irregularly shaped three-dimensional region of interest and automatically applying thermal therapy to the region using the probe. Applying thermal therapy may include identifying a first emission level at a first rotational angle based in part on a depth of a radial portion of the region in the direction of probe emission, activating emission of the probe, causing rotation of the probe to a next rotational angle, identifying a next emission level at the next rotational angle based in part on a depth of a radial portion of the region in the direction of probe emission, activating emission to deliver therapeutic energy, and repeating rotation and emission until therapeutic energy has been delivered to the volume.

Systems and methods for performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit and a controller in communication with the MRI unit and configured to cause the MRI unit to acquire one or more baseline phase images of an imaging region and one or more treatment phase images of the imaging region subsequent to a temperature change of a subregion within the imaging region, electronically generate a thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on the acquired baseline phase image and treatment phase image, computationally predict the temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on energy deposited in the subregion during treatment without reference to the generated thermal map, and determine whether the thermal map is inaccurate based at least in part on the temperature change of the subregion indicated by the thermal map and the predicted temperature change of the subregion.

Disclosed is a method for determining, among other things, the temperature profile of a medical implant in a patient when subjected to an MRI scan or machine, thus enabling a determination of the risk of temperature induced tissue necrosis or damage to the implant. The specific position of the implant in the patient changes the temperature dispersion in the body and is accounted for in the creation of the temperature profile. The method includes mapping with an imaging unit location, size and orientation of the medical implant in a patient, and storing the location, size and orientation in a mapped data. Then, translating the data to a model patient of gender, age, weight, height, and body structure of the patient with a model medical implant. Further, determining the parameters of an MRI unit to be used and computing the temperature profile of the implant to ascertain temperature impact.

Systems and methods for performing magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit and a controller in communication with the MRI unit and configured to cause the MRI unit to acquire one or more baseline phase images of an imaging region and one or more treatment phase images of the imaging region subsequent to a temperature change of a subregion within the imaging region, electronically generate a thermal map pixelwise indicating the temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on the acquired baseline phase image and treatment phase image, computationally predict the temperature change of the subregion based at least in part on energy deposited in the subregion during treatment without reference to the generated thermal map, and determine whether the thermal map is inaccurate based at least in part on the temperature change of the subregion indicated by the thermal map and the predicted temperature change of the subregion.