Magnetic resonance imaging transseptal needle antenna

• US 20010056232A1
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SurgiVision Inc.
• Original Assignee: SurgiVision Inc.
• Inventors: Lardo, Albert C., Halperin, Henry R., McVeigh, Elliott R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,606,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/423
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/287 involving active visualization of interventional instruments, e.g. using active tracking RF coils or coils for intentionally creating magnetic field inhomogeneities
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/34053 Solenoid coils; Toroidal coils
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/34084 implantable coils or coils being geometrically adaptable to the sample, e.g. flexible coils or coils comprising mutually movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas

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.

Claims

1. 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. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the distal portion is about 5 cm. in length.

3. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the myocardial wall is an interatrial septum.

4. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the first conductor is formed as the hollow needle.

5. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the first conductor is applied as a layer to a surface of the hollow needle.

6. The system of

claim 5

, wherein the surface is an outer surface of the hollow needle.

7. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the hollow needle comprises Nitinol.

8. The system of

claim 5

, wherein the first conductor comprises platinum.

9. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the insulator/dielectric comprises an insulating polymer.

10. The system of

claim 9

, wherein the insulating polymer is Teflon.

11. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the second conductor comprises platinum.

12. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising an obturator.

13. 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.

14. The method of

claim 13

, wherein the intrathoracic region of interest is a cardiac chamber.

15. The method of

claim 13

, wherein the intrathoracic region of interest is a cardiac valve.

16. The method of

claim 13

, wherein the intrathoracic region of interest is a coronary vessel.

17. The method of

claim 13

, wherein the intrathoracic region of interest is a myocardial structure.

18. The method of

claim 13

, wherein the myocardial wall is an interatrial septum.