Systems and methods using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to evaluate pain and degenerative properties of tissue

US9901285B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Sharmila Majumdar · Alameda, US
• John Kurhanewicz · South San Francisco, US
• Jeffrey C. Lotz · San Mateo, US
• David S. Bradford · Sausalito, US
• Kayvan Keshari · Stockton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 2012
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/485
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

NMR spectroscopy is performed on intervertebral disc tissue. Extent of degeneration is determined based on the NMR spectroscopy. Correlation between NMR spectral regions and at least one of tissue degeneration and pain are made. Accordingly, NMR spectroscopy is used to determine location and/or extent of at least one of degeneration or pain associated with a region of tissue, such as for example in particular disc degeneration, or discogenic pain. NMR spectral peak ratios, such as between N-Acetyl/cho and cho/carb, are readily acquired and analyzed to predict degree of tissue degeneration and/or pain for: tissue samples using HR-MAS spectroscopy; and larger portions of anatomy such as joint segments such as a spine, using clinical 3T MRI systems with surface head or knee coils; and tissue regions such as discs within spines of living patients using 3T MRI systems with a surface spine coil, thus providing a completely non-invasive diagnostic toolset and method to image and localize degeneration and/or pain.