×

Focused ultrasound system with MRI synchronization

  • US 6,735,461 B2
  • Filed: 06/19/2001
  • Issued: 05/11/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for performing a focused ultrasound procedure being monitored using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the MRI system using a timing sequence for transmitting radio frequency (RF) pulse sequences and detecting magnetic resonance (MR) response signals from a patient'"'"'s body in response to the RF pulse sequences, the method comprising:

  • driving a piezoelectric transducer with electrical drive signals such that the transducer emits acoustic energy towards a target tissue region within the patient'"'"'s body while the MRI system is detecting MR response signals;

    changing parameters of the drive signals only at one or more times during the timing sequence that minimize interference with the MRI system detecting MR response signals; and

    determining the timing sequence of the MRI system, wherein determining the timing sequence of the MRI system comprises synchronizing a clock driving the MRI system with a clock driving the transducer to obtain a synchronization constant relating clock speeds of the clocks;

    determining a delay between when the MRI system is initially activated and when the MRI system begins transmitting RF pulse sequences; and

    determining the timing sequence of the MRI system by adjusting a predetermined cycle period of the MRI system by the delay and the synchronization constant.

View all claims
  • 4 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×