MRI-guided therapeutic unit and methods
First Claim
1. A method of treating a mammalian subject comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning a movable static field magnet relative to the subject so that the magnet applies a static magnetic field in a magnetic resonance volume which at least partially encompasses a region of the subject to be treated;
(b) positioning a movable energy applicator so that the applicator can apply energy in an energy application zone which intersects said magnetic resonance volume within said region of the subject;
(c) while said static field magnet is applying said static field in said magnetic resonance volume, applying field gradients and radiofrequency signals so as to elicit magnetic resonance signals from tissues of the subject in said magnetic resonance volume, and receiving said magnetic resonance signals;
(d) deriving magnetic resonance information relative to the subject'"'"'s tissues in said magnetic resonance volume from said magnetic resonance signals;
(e) actuating said movable energy-applying device to apply energy to tissues of the patient in said energy application zone so as to treat such tissues; and
(f) controlling one or more parameters of said treatment by use of said magnetic resonance information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Magnetic resonance information acquired by a movable magnetic resonance instrument is used to monitor hyperthermia treatments such as tissue ablation. The instrument may include both the magnetic resonance equipment and an energy applicator such as a high intensity focused ultrasound unit. The treatment can be conducted under automatic control after the operator marks a treatment volume on an image of the subject, such as a magnetic resonance image acquired using the movable magnetic resonance instrument. The automatic treatment can be based on interpolation of tissue response curves at plural test points near the treatment volume. The system can also provide automatic supervisory control during manual operation, to prevent application of heat to sensitive anatomical structures.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of treating a mammalian subject comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a movable static field magnet relative to the subject so that the magnet applies a static magnetic field in a magnetic resonance volume which at least partially encompasses a region of the subject to be treated;
(b) positioning a movable energy applicator so that the applicator can apply energy in an energy application zone which intersects said magnetic resonance volume within said region of the subject;
(c) while said static field magnet is applying said static field in said magnetic resonance volume, applying field gradients and radiofrequency signals so as to elicit magnetic resonance signals from tissues of the subject in said magnetic resonance volume, and receiving said magnetic resonance signals;
(d) deriving magnetic resonance information relative to the subject'"'"'s tissues in said magnetic resonance volume from said magnetic resonance signals;
(e) actuating said movable energy-applying device to apply energy to tissues of the patient in said energy application zone so as to treat such tissues; and
(f) controlling one or more parameters of said treatment by use of said magnetic resonance information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Therapeutic apparatus comprising:
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(a) a static field magnet adapted to apply a static magnetic field in an magnetic resonance volume at a predetermined disposition relative to the static field magnet;
(b) an energy applicator adapted to apply energy within an energy application zone at a predetermined disposition relative to the applicator;
(c) positioning means for moving said static field magnet and said energy applicator to position the magnet and applicator so that the magnetic resonance volume at least partially encompasses a region of the subject to be treated and the energy application zone intersects said magnetic resonance volume within said region of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification