Patent · US Expired

MRI-guided therapeutic unit and methods

US6516211B1 · kind B1 · utility

178Cited by
66References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 6, 2000
Grant dateFeb 4, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2007/0095
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.