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MRI Contrast Based on Relaxation along a Fictitious Field (RAFF)
University of Minnesota
posted on 10/13/2011
The RAFF MRI sequence achieves a unique relaxation time constant along a fictitious field using multiple rotating frames of reference, which provides for lower RF power and therefore less tissue heating. This has the potential to expand diagnostic capabilities of MRI by opening up applications in gene therapy, detecting Parkinson?s disease and osteoarthritis.
Advantages
FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF MRI CONTRAST BASED ON RAFF:
- Potential to expand diagnostic capabilities of MRI. Unique contrast that may assist the detection of certain pathologies for the first time by providing access to different time scales of molecular dynamics.
- Less radio frequency (RF) power (approximately half the peak power of adiabatic T1r and T2r) and therefore less tissue heating, which can move certain procedures into FDA approved ranges.
- Applications in gene therapy, and diagnosing Parkinson?s disease and osteoarthritis.
Detailed Description
MRI Contrast Software Based on Relaxation Along a Fictitious Field (RAFF)
Higher MRI Magnetic Field Strength Decreases MRI T1 Contrast
As the magnetic field strength increases in clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, in part to improve the signal to noise ratio, the images become less sensitive to classical MRI T1 weighting. T1 weighting is often used in biomedical imaging since it inherently provides tissue-specific differences that provide contrast in images (darker and lighter areas in the MRI image).
Previous Pulse Sequences Increase the Specific Absorption Rate
Various pulse sequences have been developed to compensate for this loss in sensitivity, but their effectiveness have been limited by FDA limits on the specific absorption rate (SAR). SAR is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed by tissue (essentially a measure of tissue heating) and exceeding certain levels leads to tissue damage.
Improved MRI Contrast with Reduced Specific Absorption Rate
The RAFF MRI pulse sequence creates a novel contrast using a unique relaxation time constant that reduces SAR. This provides the ability to safely use higher strength magnetic fields while expanding the diagnostic capabilities of MRI. The lower radio frequency (RF) power (half the peak power of adiabatic T1r and T2r) produces less tissue heating and the unique contrast can assist in the detection of certain pathologies by providing access to different time scales of molecular dynamics. In addition to improving image contrast in classic MRI T1 weighted images, this pulse sequence opens up applications in gene therapy, and diagnosing Parkinson?s disease and osteoarthritis because cell densities can be differentiated more easily. The RAFF MRI contrast improvement also improves MRI safety by reducing SAR.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF MRI CONTRAST BASED ON RAFF:
- Potential to expand diagnostic capabilities of MRI. Unique contrast that may assist the detection of certain pathologies for the first time by providing access to different time scales of molecular dynamics.
- Less radio frequency (RF) power (approximately half the peak power of adiabatic T1r and T2r) and therefore less tissue heating, which can move certain procedures into FDA approved ranges.
- Applications in gene therapy, and diagnosing Parkinson?s disease and osteoarthritis.
File Number: UM Case Z08015
Other Information: Questions? Contact: Dale Nugent, Technology Marketing Manager, Ph 612-626-3413 E-mail danugent@umn.edu
| Patent Number(s): | 7932719 |
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This innovation currently is not available for online licensing. Please contact Dale Nugent at University of Minnesota for more information.
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