SELF-EXPANDING MULTI-CHANNEL RF RECEIVER COIL FOR HIGH RESOLUTION INTRA-CARDIAC MRI AND METHOD OF USE
First Claim
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1. A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus comprising:
- an intra-cardiac catheter comprising a self-expanding housing insertable into a subject to be imaged, the housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and comprising a memory-type material moveable between an expanded position and a compressed position; and
a plurality of RF coils attached to the self-expanding housing and configured to acquire MR data, the intra-cardiac catheter configured to automatically expand the plurality of RF coils to an expanded position from a compressed position;
wherein a gap formed between the plurality of RF coils and the self-expanding housing is configured to increase RF sensitivity away from the intra-cardiac catheter.
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Abstract
A system and method of use for a probe is disclosed that includes a self-expanding housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and constructed for insertion into a subject to be imaged. A plurality of RF coils is attached to the housing to acquire MR data.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus comprising:
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an intra-cardiac catheter comprising a self-expanding housing insertable into a subject to be imaged, the housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and comprising a memory-type material moveable between an expanded position and a compressed position; and a plurality of RF coils attached to the self-expanding housing and configured to acquire MR data, the intra-cardiac catheter configured to automatically expand the plurality of RF coils to an expanded position from a compressed position; wherein a gap formed between the plurality of RF coils and the self-expanding housing is configured to increase RF sensitivity away from the intra-cardiac catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of using an MR imaging device, the method comprising:
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inserting an intra-cardiac MR imaging device into a sheath configured for insertion into an imaging subject to be scanned, wherein the intra-cardiac MR imaging device comprises a pair of RF coils attached to an auto-expandable housing and separated therefrom by a gap defined by a thickness of heat-shrink tubing; positioning the intra-cardiac MR imaging device within the imaging subject to be scanned; and retracting the sheath to allow the auto-expandable housing to automatically expand and to cause the pair of RF coils to transition from a compressed position to an expanded position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification