Technology ID
TAB-2281

Wirelessly Powered MRI Signal Amplification System and Method

E-Numbers
E-113-2011-0
Lead Inventor
Qian, Chunqi (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Development Status
  • 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.
Lead IC
NINDS
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.
Commercial Applications
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.
Competitive Advantages
  • 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.

Request More Info

Licensing Contact:
Ano, Susan
susan.ano@nih.gov

Patents

  • Patent Cooperation Treaty
    (PCT) PCT/US12/031083
    Filed on 2012-03-29
  • US
    Provisional (PRV) 61/468,911
    Filed on 2011-03-29
  • US Patent 10,203,382
    Filed on 2017-11-29
  • US Patent 9,864,026
    Filed on 2013-09-27

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.
  • 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.

Collaborations

  • Licensing
Date Published