Method and apparatus for examining a substance, particularly tissue, to characterize its type

US7809425B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DUNE MEDICAL DEVICES LTD. · IL

Inventors

• Dan Hashimshony · Givat Ada, IL
• Gil Cohen · Jerusalem, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2006
• Grant date: Oct 5, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B90/39
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed, for examining a substance of a given volume to characterize its type, with an integrated sensing head. The method comprises applying locally to the substance of the given volume a polarizing magnetic field, with a component defining a polarizing axis; applying locally RF pulses to the substance of the given volume, the RF pulses having a B component, orthogonal to the polarizing axis, such as to invoke EI response signals corresponding to the electrical impedance (EI) of the examined substance of the given volume, and magnetic resonance (MR) response signals corresponding to the MR properties of the examined substance of the given volume; detecting locally EI response signals from the substance of the given volume; and detecting locally MR response signals from the substance of the given volume. Two or more sensing heads may be used, both applying locally the RF pulses and detecting. Alternatively, one of the sensing heads may operate as a transmitter, while the other or others may operate as receivers.