Wirelessly Powered MRI Signal Amplification System and Method

The invention is in the field of MRI, and more specifically relates to device and method that may provide great improvements in the area of interventional MRI. The technology describes an MRI detection coil that has been integrated with a parametric amplifier to provide local signal detection fully integrated with amplification. This amplification is done in a way that is inherently wireless, thus enabling efficient signal transmission. The integrated MRI detector/amplifier can be used in a number of applications. First, it can replace conventional MRI amplification typically done with transistor, thus eliminating the need for wires. Second, it can replace what is traditionally used as part of implanted or catheter coils for interventional procedures with MRI. The advantage is that the signal can be amplified, and wireless transmission is part of the amplification scheme. Therefore signal can be transmitted from the subject in a way that provides detection at higher sensitivity than conventional coils without internal amplification.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
MRI diagnostics and in particular in interventional MRI applications: The device can be used as part of a catheter MRI coil for MRI guided surgery. It can also be used as implantable NMR coils for localized spectroscopy with better sensitivity. The device can potentially be used as a free floating MRI detector/amplifier and swallowed for internal MRI detection as has been done quite successful with optical imaging devices for imaging the human intestine. There may be use in MRI coil arrays where interaction between wires in large element arrays is a problem.		The detector/amplifier integrated system eliminates the need for transistors and is wireless, therefore heat is reduced and sensitivity of detection is increased. The system is compatible with interventional MRI devices.

Development Stage:

• Proof of principle has been demonstrated on a prototype device.
• Testing a second generation device right now with smaller dimension that could be implanted into transplanted organs and used in mm sized catheters for interventional devices or the digestive tract.
• Plans to develop methods to decouple elements for use in MRI detector arrays.

Inventors:

Chunqi Qian (NINDS)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
U.S. Pat: 10,203,382 issued 2019-02-12
U.S. Pat: 9,864,026 issued 2018-01-09
US Application No. 15/825,316
US Application No. 14/008,133

Publications:
Qian C, Murphy-Borsch J, Dodd S, Koretsky A. Local detection and parametric amplification of MRI signals. Abstract/Presentation, 52nd Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference, April 10-15, 2011, Pacific Grove, CA. PMID 22246567
Qian C, Murphy-Borsch J, Dodd S, Koretsky A. Integrated detection and wireless transmission of MRI signal using parametric amplifier. Abstract/Presentation, 19th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, May 7-13, 2011, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Qian C, et al.

Licensing Contact:
Susan Ano, Ph.D.
Email: susan.ano@nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5515

OTT Reference No: E-113-2011-0
Updated: Sep 10, 2015