Description of Invention:
MRI is a promising imaging modality that provides superior soft tissue contrast and multi planar real-time imaging without harmful ionizing radiation for therapeutic procedures. Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) has gained important popularity in many fields such as interventional cardiology and radiology, owing to the development of minimally invasive techniques and visible catheters under MRI for conducting MRI-guided procedures and therapies. This invention relates to a novel MRI compatible and active visible catheter for conducting interventional and intraoperative procedures under the guidance of MRI. The catheter features a non conductive transmission line and the use of ultrasonic transducers that transform RF signals to ultrasonic signals for transmitting RF signal to the MRI scanner. The unique design of this catheter overcomes the concern of patient/sample heating (due to the coupling between RF transmission energy and long conductors within catheter) associated with the design of conventional active MRI catheters.
Inventors:
Ozgur Kocaturk (NHLBI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-298-2005/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/716,503 filed 14 Sep 2005
PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/035636 filed 13 Sep 2006, which issued as WO 033240 on 22 Mar 2007
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Cardiac Catheterization Lab is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize the alternative Active MRI compatible and visible catheters using ultrasonic technology. Please contact Peg Koelble at koelblep@nhlbi.nih.gov for more information.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michael Shmilovich J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5019
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
