Method and apparatus for SAR focusing with an array of RF transmitters

US10088537B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · US

Inventors

• Mihir R. Pendse · Fremont, US
• Brian Rutt · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 13, 2015
• Grant date: Oct 2, 2018
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/3415
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for providing SAR focusing at a target in a body using an MRI system is provided. A computed pulse is provided at a lower power to the body. A MR thermometry is performed. A map is created from the MR thermometry to determine if a hotspot aligns with the target. If the target does not align with the hotspot, then the steps are performed comprising, recomputing the computed pulse, providing the computed pulse at a lower power to the body, performing MR thermometry, creating a map from the MR thermometry to determine if a hotspot aligns with the target, and repeating these steps until the hotspot aligns with the target. The computed pulse is applied at a higher power to the body to provide the desired SAR at the target. Temperature change is monitored with MR thermometry the previous two steps are repeated until desired temperature is achieved.