External MRI imaging coil assemblies and MRI-guided interventional systems utilizing same

• US 7,602,190 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SurgiVision Inc.
• Original Assignee: SurgiVision Inc.
• Inventors: Keidl, Christopher, Peterson, David, Piferi, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Arana; Louis M
• Application Number:
  US12/237,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20090079431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 600/422, 324/318, 324/322
• US Class Current: 324/318
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00911 for fields applied by a magnetic resonance imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3407 including a base for support on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3409 including needle or instrument drives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/101 Computer-aided simulation of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/107 Visualisation of planned trajectories or target regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/252 indicating steps of a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/254 being adapted depending on the stage of the surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/256 having a database of accessory information, e.g. including context sensitive help or scientific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/103 Cranial plugs for access to brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/373 using light, e.g. by using optical scanners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/374 NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3933 Liquid markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/395 with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3954 magnetic, e.g. NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/74 : Manipulators with manual electric input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 : involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 : Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 : with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/14 : Fixators for body parts, e.g. skull clamps; Constructional details of fixators, e.g. pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 : Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 : Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 : Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/283 : Intercom or optical viewing arrangements, structurally associated with NMR apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/286 : involving passive visualization of interventional instruments, i.e. making the instrument visible as part of the normal MR process
• 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 33/34046 : Volume type coils, e.g. bird-cage coils; Quadrature bird-cage coils; Circularly polarised coils
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3415 : comprising arrays of sub-coils , i.e. phased-array coils with flexible receiver channels

Abstract

An MRI imaging coil assembly includes a primary external MRI imaging coil and a secondary external MRI imaging coil positioned proximate to the primary MRI imaging coil. The primary imaging coil has a plurality of spaced-apart RF coils and is configured to surround at least a portion of a patient. The secondary imaging coil has at least one RF coil and cooperates with the primary imaging coil to provide MRI signals to an MRI scanner. The secondary imaging coil can be movably positioned relative to the primary imaging coil. The secondary imaging coil can be movably secured to the primary imaging coil or to a patient support surface.

Claims

1. An MRI imaging coil assembly, comprising:

a primary external MRI imaging coil having an open-face, substantially U-shaped configuration with spaced-apart leg portions that is adapted to surround at least a portion of a patient, and comprising plurality of spaced-apart RF coils; and

a secondary external MRI imaging coil comprising a panel with opposite sides and opposite ends and including at least one RF coil, wherein each panel end is secured to an end of a respective one of the leg portions of the primary MRI imaging coil such that the entire secondary MRI imaging coil extends from one primary imaging coil leg portion to the other leg portion;

wherein the primary and secondary imaging coils cooperate to provide MRI signals to an MRI scanner.

2. The MRI imaging coil assembly of claim 1, wherein an image produced by the MRI imaging coil assembly has no greater than one-hundred percent (100%) difference in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) across a volume thereof.

3. The MRI imaging coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has a width between opposite sides of about three inches.

4. The MRI imaging coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the ends of the secondary MRI imaging coil panel are each secured to a respective one of the leg portion ends of the primary MRI imaging coil in only a single static location.

5. The MRI imaging coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has a substantially U-shaped configuration and extends above and over the primary MRI imaging coil.

6. The MRI imaging coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has an arcuate configuration.

7. The MRI imaging coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has a substantially rectangular configuration.

8. The MRI head coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the ends of the secondary imaging coil panel are each secured to a respective one of the leg portion ends of the primary imaging coil in only a single static location.

9. The MRI head coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary imaging coil panel includes substantially parallel opposite side portions and substantially parallel opposite ends.

10. The MRI head coil assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary imaging coil panel has a substantially rectangular configuration when viewed from the top.

11. An MRI-guided interventional system, comprising:

a patient support surface;

a head support assembly attached to the patient support surface for immobilizing the head of a patient during an MRI-guided procedure;

a targeting frame configured to be secured to the skull of a patient, wherein the frame includes a cooperating targeting cannula that is configured to guide placement of an interventional device in vivo; and

an MRI imaging coil assembly, comprising;

a primary external MRI imaging coil positioned proximate to the head support assembly and configured to surround at least a portion of the head of the patient, wherein the primary Mm imaging coil has an open-face, elongated substantially U-shaped configuration with spaced-apart leg portions, and a plurality of spaced-apart RF coils; and

a secondary external MRI imaging coil comprising a panel with opposite sides and opposite ends and including at least one RF coil, wherein each panel end is secured to an end of a respective one of the leg portions of the primary MRI imaging coil such that the entire secondary MRI imaging coil extends from one primary imaging coil leg portion to the other leg portion;

wherein the primary and secondary imaging coils cooperate to provide MRI signals to an MRI scanner.

12. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein an image produced by the MRI imaging coil assembly has no greater than one-hundred percent (100%) difference in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) across a volume thereof.

13. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has a width between opposite sides of about three inches.

14. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the ends of the secondary MRI imaging coil panel are secured to the leg portion ends of the primary MRI imaging coil.

15. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has a substantially U-shaped configuration and extends above and over the primary MRI imaging coil.

16. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil panel has a substantially rectangular configuration.

17. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the secondary MRI imaging coil is focused to an interventional device.

18. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the head support assembly comprises:

a pair of elongated arms extending outwardly from the patient support surface in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship; and

a pair of head engagement rods, wherein each rod is adjustably associated with a respective arm, and wherein the rods are configured to engage a patient'"'"'s head positioned between the arms.

19. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 18, wherein the primary MRI imaging coil is positioned between the head support assembly arms such that the leg portion ends extend upwardly.

20. The MRI-guided interventional system of claim 11, wherein the primary MRI imaging coil is movable relative to the head support assembly in one or more directions.

21. An MRI-guided interventional system, comprising:

a patient support surface;

a head support assembly attached to the patient support surface for immobilizing the head of a patient during an MRI-guided procedure;

a targeting frame configured to be secured to the skull a patient, wherein the frame includes a cooperating targeting cannula that is configured to guide placement of an interventional device in vivo; and

an MRI imaging coil assembly, comprising;

a primary external MRI imaging coil positioned proximate to the head support assembly and configured to surround at least a portion of the head of a patient, wherein the primary MRI imaging coil has a plurality of spaced-apart RF coils; and

a pair of secondary external MRI imaging coils movably positioned proximate to the primary MRI imaging coil, each secondary MRI imaging coil having at least one RF coil.

22. An MRI coil assembly, comprising:

a primary external imaging coil having an open-face, elongated substantially U-shaped configuration with spaced-apart leg portions that is adapted to surround at least a portion of a patient, and comprising plurality of spaced-apart RF coils; and

a secondary external imaging coil comprising an arcuate panel having a substantially U-shaped configuration, wherein the arcuate panel includes substantially parallel opposite sides and substantially parallel opposite ends, wherein the arcuate panel includes at least one RF coil, and wherein each arcuate panel end is secured to an end of a respective one of the leg portions of the primary imaging coil such that the entire secondary imaging coil extends upwardly and over the primary imaging coil from one primary imaging coil leg portion to the other leg portion;

wherein the primary and secondary imaging coils cooperate to provide MRI signals to an MRI scanner.

23. An MRI head coil assembly, comprising:

a primary external imaging coil having an open-face, elongated substantially U-shaped configuration with spaced-apart leg portions that is adapted to surround at least a portion of a head of a patient, and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart RF coils; and

a secondary external imaging coil comprising an arcuate panel having opposite ends, opposite side portions, and a substantially U-shaped configuration, wherein the arcuate panel includes at least one RF coil, wherein each arcuate panel end is secured to an end of a respective one of the leg portions of the primary imaging coil such that the entire secondary imaging coil extends upwardly and over the primary imaging coil from one primary imaging coil leg portion to the other leg portion so as to overlie the head of a patient positioned within the primary external imaging coil, and wherein one side portion of the panel terminates proximate the lower portion of a nose of the patient and wherein the opposite side portion terminates proximate the forehead of the patient;

wherein the primary and secondary imaging coils cooperate to provide MRI signals to an MRI scanner.

24. The MRI head coil assembly of claim 23, wherein an image produced by the MRI head coil assembly has no greater than one-hundred percent (100%) difference in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) across a volume thereof.

25. The MRI head coil assembly of claim 23, wherein a width between the opposite side portions is about three inches.