Researchers Submit Patent Application, “System And Method For Magnetic Resonance Elastography”, for Approval (USPTO 20190104963)

2019 APR 26 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Hospital & Nursing Home Daily -- From Washington, D.C., NewsRx journalists report that a patent application by the inventors Kaditz, Jeffrey H. (Wilson, WY); Stevens, Andrew G. (New York, NY), filed on March 17, 2017, was made available online on April 11, 2019.

The patent’s assignee is Q Bio Inc. (San Francisco, California, United States).

News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Field

“The described embodiments relate generally to medical imaging, more specifically to Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonic imaging (e.g. ultrasound), and Magnetic Resonance Spectral Imaging (MRSI), and more specifically to techniques for scanning, capturing, searching, aggregating and processing imaging data, and providing medical information services and medical services based on the captured and aggregated imaging data.

“Related Art

“Generally, most tissue samples in hospitals are evaluated by a medical specialist and then destroyed, with a few symptomatic samples being preserved for medical research purposes. Presently, there are no large standardized datasets that contain routinely symptomatic and asymptomatic tissue samples for comparison and improvement of medical diagnoses.”

As a supplement to the background information on this patent application, NewsRx correspondents also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent application: “Trends in connectivity and in medical imaging technology are resulting in dramatic changes in people’s lives. For example, the Internet now allows doctors, researchers, and data scientists to access vast amounts of anonymized information, as well as the ability to interact with individual patients and provide diagnoses around the world. This remote electronic capability has improved the quality of healthcare and reduced costs. Similarly, the increasingly powerful computing and communication capabilities of cloud computing and infrastructure as a service (IAAS) product offerings from companies such as Amazon Web Services and Cloudera combined with portable electronic devices (such as smartphones and tablets), as well as a large and growing set of applications, are accelerating these improvements, and the ability to leverage medical information to perform a wide variety of diagnoses.

“As imaging technology improves, both higher resolution information as well as new types of information can be measured, which drives an ever-increasing trend of specialization in radiology. The disclosure provided herein includes systems and methods for magnetic resonance Elastography of biological lifeforms and of biological samples (including, e.g., fresh ‘wet’ tissue samples, frozen samples, and formalin fixed-paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples) to create a large database of symptomatic and asymptomatic Magnetic Resonance signature data for use in automatically detecting anomalies and healthy tissue, performing more detailed scans of detected anomalies, and either automatically classifying between anomalies and healthy tissue using a software algorithm, and/or providing the images to radiologists who specialize in the type of tissue or anomaly detected for verification and/or identification. The tissue sample signatures can be applied to better detect anomalies on an individual basis. What is normal in one body might be slightly different than what is normal in another body, and clusters of tissue samples reflecting various shades of normal can help classify tissue. Finally, the amount of data that can be captured about each sample is much larger than the amount of data that can be processed by a single pathologist or radiologist or even a team of radiologists and pathologists. With the systems and methods provided herein, hospitals and research institutions would be able to catalogue and index all their tissue samples and contribute to building a large database of signatures of indexed tissues covering both symptomatic and asymptomatic tissue samples.

“For a few decades, MRI technology has been the imaging modality of choice for soft tissue and morphological studies. As field strengths have continued to rise, the technical feasibility of MR Spectroscopy has been demonstrated, opening the possibility for MRSI to do both morphological and functional imaging in parallel. The technology facilitates high spatial and spectral resolution sample indexing and can also incorporate capturing signatures of Magnetic Resonance (MR) which can measure quantitative profiles of specific tissues of both symptomatic and asymptomatic tissue, such as tissue samples from biopsies, whether benign or non-benign, and can detect known healthy (i.e., whitelisted tissue) and known anomalous tissue (i.e., blacklisted tissue) and classify unknown tissue in a grey zone (i.e., greylisted tissue), which can be marked for inspection by other MR spectra, additional related biopsies, inspection by a radiologist, a pathologist, or other analysis as may be determined to be necessary.

“In some embodiments, scans can also include MR Elastography, which measures the stiffness of tissue by sending mechanical waves through the tissue with an MRI technique including sending shear waves into the tissue, acquiring images of the propagation of the shear waves, and processing the images of the shear waves to produce a quantitative mapping of the tissue stiffness, which are known in the literature as elastograms.

“Described herein are systems and methods for performing MR Elastography (using an ultrasonic wave generator) on both biological lifeforms and tissue samples. Another unique aspect of this system is that it is optimized to screen both symptomatic and asymptomatic tissue samples, as it is just as important to recognize healthy tissue as it is to recognize pathology.

“In this model, each voxel in the sample in the MR scan has multi-dimensional data on the volumetric density of certain chemical signatures and atomic nuclei. This system can be aware of the region of the body or the source of the sample in which a sample originated and can use that knowledge to further optimize the configuration to best collect information about the sample. Additionally, the system can be used to scan multiple samples from the same subject, or different subjects can be scanned simultaneously, if increased throughput is needed.

“On aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) system for capturing an MR Elastography measurement of a biological lifeform. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a platform; a gel pad on a surface of the platform; and a sensor array. In some embodiments, the sensor array includes at least one ultrasound transducer, and at least one radiofrequency (RF) transmitter and receiver coil. In some embodiments, the sensor array is at least partially embedded within the gel pad and the gel pad is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform.

“In some embodiments, the gel pad includes a surface feature in a location where the gel pad contacts the sensor array. In some such embodiments, the surface feature is one of: a divot, a rib, a groove, a depression, an indentation, and an impression.

“In some embodiments, the platform includes an electromagnetically permeable material. In some such embodiments, the electromagnetically permeable material includes one or more of: Teflon, concrete, wood, sapphire, and poly-dimethyl siloxane.

“In some embodiments, the gel pad further includes a fluid on a surface of the gel pad, such that the biological lifeform is at least partially ensheathed in the fluid, and the fluid is configured to transport the biological lifeform across the sensor array. In some such embodiments, the fluid comprises one or more of: saline, an ultrasound gel, and a mineral oil.

“In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fluid source on a first end of the platform and a fluid sink on a second end of the platform. In some such embodiments, a fluid discharged from the fluid source at least partially ensheathes the biological lifeform and moves the biological lifeform across the sensor array to the fluid sink.

“In some embodiments, the gel pad is adapted to function as an imaging phantom.

“In some embodiments, a composition of the gel pad comprises a substance with a known proton density.

“In some embodiments, a composition of the gel pad comprises a contrast agent.

“In some embodiments, the sensor array further includes one or more of: an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a conductance sensor, a movement sensor, a fiber optic sensor, a photoplethysmogram sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an electrocardiogram sensor.

“In some embodiments, the biological lifeform is one of: a tissue sample and a patient.

“In some embodiments, the MR system is one of: a closed bore system and an open bore system.

“In some embodiments, the platform is movable. In some embodiments, the platform is a movable through an open bore or parallel plate MR System.

“In some embodiments, the gel pad is configured to increase a distance between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform.

“Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for capturing an MR Elastography measurement of a biological lifeform. In some embodiments, the system includes: an MR system including: an ultrasonic wave generator, an interface circuit, and a computing device, such that the ultrasonic wave generator is configured to generate one or more shear waves in the biological lifeform; and a platform, a gel pad on a surface of the platform, and a sensor array. In some embodiments, the sensor array includes at least one ultrasound transducer, and at least one RF transmitter and receiver coil. Further, in some embodiments, the sensor array is at least partially embedded within the gel pad and the gel pad is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform. In some embodiments, the interface circuit is configured to communicatively couple the sensor array and the ultrasonic wave generator to the computing device such that the computing device is configured to generate a quantitative map of a tissue stiffness of the biological lifeform.

“In some embodiments, the platform is movable through the MR system. In some such embodiments, the MR system is one of: a closed bore system and an open bore system.

“In some embodiments, the gel pad further includes a fluid on a surface of the gel pad, such that the biological lifeform is at least partially ensheathed in the fluid, and the fluid is configured to transport the biological lifeform across the sensor array.

“In some embodiments, the system further includes a fluid source on a first end of the platform and a fluid sink on a second end of the platform, such that a fluid discharged from the fluid source at least partially ensheathes the biological lifeform and moves the biological lifeform across the sensor array to the fluid sink.

“In some embodiments, the system further includes a program module stored in the computing device, such that the program module includes instructions for performing the MR Elastography measurement on the biological lifeform.

“In some embodiments, the interface circuit communicates wirelessly with the sensor array and the ultrasonic wave generator.

“Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for capturing an MR Elastography measurement of a biological lifeform. In some embodiments, the method includes: providing a platform, a gel pad on a surface of the platform, and a sensor array, such that the sensor array includes: at least one ultrasound transducer, and at least one RF transmitter and receiver coil, and the sensor array is at least partially embedded within the gel pad and the gel pad is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform; and generating one or more shear waves in the biological lifeform; acquiring one or more images of a propagation of the one or more shear waves; and processing the one or more images to produce a quantitative map of a tissue stiffness of the biological lifeform.

“In some embodiments, the method further includes identifying an anomaly in the biological lifeform based, at least in part, on the quantitative map. In some such embodiments, the method further includes classifying the anomaly as one of: healthy, unhealthy, benign, and malignant.

“In some embodiments, the method further includes altering a water content of the gel pad before or during capture of the MR Elastography measurement.

“In some embodiments, the method further includes applying a fluid to a surface of the gel pad, such that the biological lifeform is at least partly ensheathed in the fluid.

“In some embodiments, the method further includes applying a negative pressure or a positive pressure to the gel pad to move the biological lifeform suspended in the fluid across the at least one ultrasound transducer.

“In some embodiments, generating the one or more shear waves is performed by an ultrasonic wave generator.

“In some embodiments, acquiring the one or more images is performed by the at least one ultrasound transducer.

“In some embodiments, processing the one or more images is performed by an interface circuit and a program module stored in a computing device, such that the interface circuit couples the at least one ultrasound transducer to the computing device.

“In some embodiments, the method further includes altering a composition of the gel pad with one or more of: a contrast agent, a substance with a known T1 and T2, and a known proton density.

“In some embodiments, the method further includes altering one or more of: an elasticity and a viscosity of the gel pad to alter a surface area of the gel pad in contact with the biological lifeform.

“In some embodiments, the sensor array further includes one or more of: an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a conductance sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a movement sensor, a fiber optic sensor, a photoplethysmogram sensor, and an electrocardiogram sensor. In some embodiments, the method further includes monitoring a pulse of the biological lifeform using the sensor array. In some embodiments, the method further includes measuring one or more of: a weight, a volume, and a density of the biological lifeform using the sensor array.

“Some embodiments may include an ultrasonic wave generator, and the program module may include instructions for performing MR Elastography on the sample. In some embodiments, the MR scanner is a bore scanner, and the ultrasonic wave generator generates waves at the ends of the bore of the MR scanner.

“The preceding summary is provided as an overview of some exemplary embodiments and to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) system for capturing an MR Elastography measurement of a biological lifeform, the apparatus comprising: a platform; a gel pad on a surface of the platform; and a sensor array comprising: at least one ultrasound transducer, and at least one radiofrequency (RF) transmitter and receiver coil; wherein the sensor array is at least partially embedded within the gel pad and the gel pad is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform.

“2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gel pad comprises a surface feature in a location where the gel pad contacts the sensor array.

“3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the surface feature is one of: a divot, a rib, a groove, a depression, an indentation, and an impression.

“4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises an electromagnetically permeable material.

“5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the electromagnetically permeable material comprises one or more of: Teflon, concrete, wood, sapphire, and poly-dimethyl siloxane.

“4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gel pad is configured to function as an imaging phantom.

“5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a composition of the gel pad comprises a substance with a known proton density.

“6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a composition of the gel pad comprises a substance with a known T1 and T2.

“7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a composition of the gel pad comprises a contrast agent.

“8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor array further comprises one or more of: an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a conductance sensor, a movement sensor, a fiber optic sensor, a photoplethysmogram sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an electrocardiogram sensor.

“9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biological lifeform is one of: a tissue sample and a patient.

“10-11. (canceled)

“12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gel pad is configured to increase a distance between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform.

“13-14. (canceled)

“15. A system for capturing an MR Elastography measurement of a biological lifeform, the system comprising: an MR system comprising: an ultrasonic wave generator, an interface circuit, and a computing device, wherein the ultrasonic wave generator is configured to generate one or more shear waves in the biological lifeform; a platform; a gel pad on a surface of the platform; and a sensor array comprising: at least one ultrasound transducer, and at least one RF transmitter and receiver coil, wherein the sensor array is at least partially embedded within the gel pad and the gel pad is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform, and wherein the interface circuit is configured to communicatively couple the sensor array and the ultrasonic wave generator to the computing device such that the computing device is configured to generate a quantitative map of a tissue stiffness of the biological lifeform.

“16-17. (canceled)

“18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a program module stored in the computing device, wherein the program module includes instructions for performing the MR Elastography measurement on the biological lifeform.

“19. (canceled)

“20. A method for capturing an MR Elastography measurement of a biological lifeform, the method comprising: providing a platform, a gel pad on a surface of the platform, and a sensor array, wherein the sensor array comprises: at least one ultrasound transducer, and at least one RF transmitter and receiver coil, and wherein the sensor array is at least partially embedded within the gel pad and the gel pad is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and the biological lifeform; generating one or more shear waves in the biological lifeform; acquiring one or more images of a propagation of the one or more shear waves; and processing the one or more images to produce a quantitative map of a tissue stiffness of the biological lifeform.

“21. The method of claim 20, further comprising identifying an anomaly in the biological lifeform based, at least in part, on the quantitative map.

“22. The method of claim 20, further comprising altering a water content of the gel pad before or during capture of the MR Elastography measurement.

“23. The method of claim 20, further comprising altering a composition of the gel pad with one or more of: a contrast agent, a substance with a known T1 and T2, and a known proton density.

“24. The method of claim 20, further comprising altering one or more of: an elasticity and a viscosity of the gel pad to alter a surface area of the gel pad in contact with the biological lifeform.

“25. The method of claim 20, wherein the sensor array further comprises one or more of: an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a conductance sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a movement sensor, a fiber optic sensor, a photoplethysmogram sensor, and an electrocardiogram sensor.

“26. The method of claim 25, further comprising monitoring a pulse of the biological lifeform using the sensor array.

“27. The method of claim 25, further comprising measuring one or more of: a weight, a volume, and a density of the biological lifeform using the sensor array.”

For additional information on this patent application, see: Kaditz, Jeffrey H.; Stevens, Andrew G. System And Method For Magnetic Resonance Elastography. Filed March 17, 2017 and posted April 11, 2019. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220190104963%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20190104963&RS=DN/20190104963

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)