Methods and Systems for Automatically Determining Magnetic Field Inversion Time of a Tissue Species

This technology includes a computer-implemented method for determining magnetic field inversion time of a tissue species using a T1-mapping image, information about the region of interest, and a tissue classification algorithm. This method includes T1-mapping image comprising a plurality of T1 values within an expected range of T1 values for the tissue of interest. An image mask is created based on predetermined identification information about the tissue of interest. Next, an updated image mask is created based on a largest connected region in the image mask.

Prior Enhanced Compressed Sensing (PRINCE-CS) Reconstruction for Dynamic 2D-radial Cardiac MRI

This technology includes a method to reduce scanning time while retaining high image quality during MRI scans. A reconstructed image is rendered from a set of MRI data by first estimating an image with an area which does not contain artifacts or has an artifact with a relatively small magnitude. Corresponding data elements in the estimated image and a trial image are processed, for instance by multiplication, to generate an intermediate data set.

Device for Closure of Transvascular or Transcameral Access Ports

This technology includes part of transcatheter aortic valve replacement and to enable non-surgical thoracic aortic aneurysm endograft repair. The invention enables a completely new way to access the arterial circulation to allow introduction of large devices, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, percutaneous left ventricular assist devices, and thoracic aortic endografts. It also can be used in most labeled and off-label applications of Amplatzer (AGA Medical, St Jude) nitinol occluder devices to occlude intracardiac holes and to allow non-surgical direct access to the heart.

Systems and Methods for Applying Pressure to the Heart for the Treatment of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

This technology includes structures and methods for cinching a band around the heart for treating conditions including tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). When positioned appropriately along the atrioventricular groove, the band is tightened around the heart which narrows the tricuspid annulus and relieves TR.

Helical Guidewires and Related Systems for Transcatheter Heart Valve Procedures

This technology includes a guidewire purpose-built for delivery of bulky transcatheter heart valves (THV). Conventional THV guidewires are rigid and have a distal tip shaped like a pigtail to prevent apical ventricular perforation. This invention is a 3-dimensional helical or antihelical curve that can protect against apical perforation, possibly better, and that allows subtle 3-mensional deflection to aid the operator in achieving coaxiality or overcoming delivery obstacles such as calcific spicules.

A Method to Guide Protocol Development for Magnetic Resonance Thermometry

This technology includes tools to guide optimization of thermometry imaging/post-processing protocols. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is a widely used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique to monitor changes in tissue temperature in response to thermal therapy. The use of PRF thermometry with thermal therapy procedures is indispensable to ensure delivery of desired thermal dose to the target tissue, and to minimize unintended damage to the normal tissue.

A Principal Component Analysis Based Multi-baseline Phase Correction Method for PRF Thermometry

This technology includes a novel Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based approach to correct motion related B0 changes in PRF thermometry. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is a widely used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique to monitor changes in tissue temperature in response to thermal therapy. The use of PRF thermometry with thermal therapy procedures is indispensable to ensure delivery of desired thermal dose to the target tissue, and to minimize unintended damage to the normal tissue.

A Method to Remove Fluid-motion Related Artifacts in Magnetic Resonance Thermometry Images Using Magnetic Field Gradients

This technology includes the incorporation of a magnetic field gradient waveform (consisting of two or more pulses) between excitation and encoding to eliminate signal from moving fluid for imaging applications. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is a widely used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique to monitor changes in tissue temperature in response to thermal therapy. The use of PRF thermometry with thermal therapy procedures is indispensable to ensure delivery of desired thermal dose to the target tissue, and to minimize unintended damage to the normal tissue.

A Pre-emphasis Technique Based on the Temperature-dependent Gradient System Behavior for Trajectory Correction in MR Imaging

This technology includes the determination of temperature dependent temporal deviations of the real from the intended gradient waveforms and k-space trajectories during MRI image acquisition, and the use of appropriate temperature dependent pre-compensations to avoid or reduce the image distortion caused by these temporal deviations on the gradient waveforms and k-space trajectories, which will improve imaging quality.