Focused ultrasound system with MRI synchronization
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for performing a focused ultrasound procedure monitored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. An MRI system uses a timing sequence for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals and detecting magnetic resonance (MR) response signals from a patient'"'"'s body in response to the RF pulse sequences. A piezoelectric transducer is driven with drive signals such that the transducer emits acoustic energy towards a target tissue region within the patient'"'"'s body. Parameters of the drive signals are changed at times during the timing sequence that minimize interference with the MRI system detecting MR response signals, e.g., during transmission of RF signals by the MRI system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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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:
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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 Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for performing a focused ultrasound procedure being monitored using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the MRI system using a timing sequence to control transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals and detecting magnetic resonance (MR) response signals from a patient'"'"'s body in response to the RF signals, comprising:
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a piezoelectric transducer;
drive circuitry coupled to the transducer, the drive circuitry configured for providing drive signals to the transducer such that the transducer emits acoustic energy towards a target tissue region within the patient'"'"'s body;
a controller coupled to the drive circuitry for activating the transducer simultaneously with the MRI system, the controller configured for controlling the drive circuitry to change parameters of the drive signals at one or more times during the timing sequence that substantially minimize interference with the MRI system detecting MR response signals generated by the patient'"'"'s body; and
means coupled to the controller for determining the timing sequence of the MRI system, comprising means for synchronizing a clock driving the MRI system with a clock driving the transducer to obtain a synchronization constant relating clock speeds of the clocks; and
means for determining a delay between when the MRI system is initially activated and when the MRI system begins transmitting RF signals;
wherein the controller is configured for determining the timing sequence of the MRI system by adjusting a predetermined cycle period of the MRI system by the delay and by the synchronization constant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for performing a procedure being monitored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the method comprising:
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transmitting radio frequency (RF) pulse sequences over the patient'"'"'s body;
operating a therapeutic or diagnostic device using electrical signals to perform a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure at a target tissue region within the patient'"'"'s body;
detecting MR response signals generated by tissue within the patient'"'"'s body in response to the RF pulse sequences while the therapeutic or diagnostic device is being operated;
maintaining the electrical signals substantially constant during the detecting step, thereby substantially minimizing interference with detecting MR response signals; and
determining the timing sequence of the MRI system by synchronizing a clock driving the MRI system with a clock controlling the electrical signals 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 Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification