Analytical and numerical calculations of optimum design frequency for focused ultrasound therapy and acoustic radiation force

Focused ultrasound therapy relies on acoustic power absorption by tissue. The stronger the absorption the higher the temperature increase is. However, strong acoustic absorption also means faster attenuation and limited penetration depth. Hence, there is a trade-off between heat generation efficacy and penetration depth. In this paper, we formulated the acoustic power absorption as a function of frequency and attenuation coefficient, and defined two figures of merit to measure the power absorption: spatial peak of the acoustic power absorption density, and the acoustic power absorbed within the focal area. Then, we derived “rule of thumb” expressions for the optimum frequencies that maximized these figures of merit given the target depth and homogeneous tissue type. We also formulated a method to calculate the optimum frequency for inhomogeneous tissue given the tissue composition for situations where the tissue structure can be assumed to be made of parallel layers of homogeneous tissue. We checked the validity of the rules using linear acoustic field simulations. For a one-dimensional array of 4 cm acoustic aperture, and for a two-dimensional array of 4 × 4 cm² acoustic aperture, we found that the power absorbed within the focal area is maximized at 0.86 MHz, and 0.79 MHz, respectively, when the target depth is 4 cm in muscle tissue. The rules on the other hand predicted the optimum frequencies for acoustic power absorption as 0.9 MHz and 0.86 MHz, respectively for the 1D and 2D array case, which are within 6% and 9% of the field simulation results. Because radiation force generated by an acoustic wave in a lossy propagation medium is approximately proportional to the acoustic power absorption, these rules can be used to maximize acoustic radiation force generated in tissue as well.     

Magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) in FLASH MR imaging

Magnetization transfer between bound and free protons was used as a source of contrast in high speed MR imaging using the FLASH technique. Contrast in FLASH MR images was found to depend upon the reduced magnetization and the spin lattice relaxation rate of free protons in the presence of bound proton radio-frequency saturation. MTC FLASH imaging was thus used to estimate the variation with saturation frequency of free proton spin-lattice relaxation during magnetization transfer.     

Investigation of cerebral ischemia using magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) MR imaging

The effects of cerebral ischemia in rat brain were monitored as a function of time using proton MR imaging. Spinspin relaxation time (T₂), proton density, and magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) were measured by MR imaging at various time intervals during a 1-week period following the induction of ischemic damage. Ischemic injury was characterized by a maximization of both T₂ value and MTC appearance at 24 hr postischemic injury. These changes were accompanied by a gradual increase in MR observable water density over the first few days of ischemia. A reduction in the magnetization exchange rate between “free” and “bound” water protons as measured by MTC imaging is at least partially responsible for the elevation in T₂ values observed during ischemia, and may accompany breakdown of cellular structure.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the uterus in vivo and in vitro at an ultra low magnetic field (0.02 T): Assessment of its normal structure and of leiomyomas

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the normal anatomy and leiomyomas of the uterus with an ultra low field (0.02 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. MR imaging was performed on 18 uteri, 11 of which were imaged both preoperatively (in vivo) and as an operative specimen (in vitro), 6 only as an operative specimen, and 1 only preoperatively. All uteri were examined histologically after imaging. The junctional zone was much better delineated in vivo than in vitro, indicating that its appearance on MR is partly due to blood flow. No structures contributing to its visibility in vitro could be demonstrated histologically. Twenty leiomyomas (size range 7–79 mm) in 12 uteri were found with MRI. They were slightly better discerned in vivo than in vitro. The leiomyomas, having no degenerative changes, had a signal intensity which was the same or lower than that of the myometrium. On images obtained in vitro the signal intensity of these leiomyomas relative to that of myometrium correlated directly with their muscular content (R = 0.74, p = .002). The authors conclude that the junctional zone is a sum of physiological and structural factors, the latter being responsible for its in vitro delineation. MR imaging of the uterus in vitro did not give more information than MR imaging in vivo. All leiomyomas larger than 10 mm could be detected, indicating that MR imaging at 0.02 T is an accurate method for the imaging of the uterine leiomyomas.     

相控阵超声接收动态聚焦算法及其物理实现

本文提出一种新的相控阵接收动态聚焦的实现方案,在传统的单接收聚焦点接收的基础上,把各换能器单元接收信号的补偿位置计算出来,在各通道数据叠加前将数据动态补偿,实现各个采样点都接收动态聚焦。在工程上,实际检测深度有一定范围限制,补偿点数其实并不是太大,所以方法具有可实现的条件。并且在计算补偿点时,可以使用楔块折射后的声波传播路径,使在折射的条件下也可成功动态聚焦。本文提供了计算补偿点的方法,最后给出了计算机仿真对比和物理实现方案,仿真结果可以看出成像效果与传统单点聚焦相控阵对比有了显著提高。提出的动态聚焦的方法很大地改善了成像质量,方法具有实用价值。     

Hepatocellular lesions with increased iron uptake on superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis: comparison of four magnetic resonance sequences for lesion conspicuity

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the adequate MR sequence for the lesion conspicuity of hepatocellular lesions with increased iron uptake on superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MRI.

Materials and Methods

SPIO-enhanced MRI was performed using a 1.5-T system. Among 25 patients with hypovascular hepatocellular nodules on contrast-enhanced dynamic CT (no early enhancement at arterial phase and hypoattenuation at equilibrium phase), 39 lesions with increased iron uptake on SPIO-enhanced MRI were evaluated. SPIO-enhanced MRI included (1) T1-weighted in-phase gradient recalled echo (GRE) images, (2) T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) images, (3) T2*-weighted GRE with moderate TE (7 ms) and (4) long TE (12 ms). The lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratios of the hepatocellular nodule and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the hepatic parenchyma were calculated by one radiologist for a quantitative assessment. MR images were reviewed retrospectively by two independent radiologists to compare the subjective lesion conspicuity in each image set based on a four-point rating scale.

Result

The mean lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratios with T2*-weighted GRE with moderate TE (7 ms) was highest (5.79±3.71) and was significantly higher than those with T1-weighted, in-phase images (3.79±3.23, P<.01), T2-weighted images (2.72±1.52, P<.001) and T2*-weighted GRE with long TE (12 ms) (3.93±2.69, P<.05). The subjective rating of lesion conspicuity was best on the T2*-weighted GRE with moderate TE (7 ms), followed by that on the T2*-weighted GRE with moderate TE (7 ms; P<.05).

Conclusion

T2*-weighted GRE sequence with moderate TE (7 ms) showed high lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratios in hepatocellular lesions with increased iron uptake on SPIO-enhanced MRI, indicating better lesion conspicuity of hypointense hepatocellular nodules in cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.     

An expression for the radiation force exerted by an acoustic beam with arbitrary wavefront (L)

Most studies investigating the acoustic radiation force upon a target are based on symmetry considerations between the object and the incident beam. Even so, this symmetry condition is not always fulfilled in several cases. An expression for the radiation force is obtained as a function of the beam-shape and the scattering coefficients of an incident wave and the object, respectively. The expression for the radiation force caused by a plane wave on a rigid sphere is used to validate the formula. This method represents a theoretical advance permitting different interpretations and predictions concerned to the acoustic radiation force phenomenon.     

Clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for focal chondral lesions.

To evaluate the diagnostic potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and define its role, focal chondral lesions of the femoral surface of the tibiofemoral joint were examined. Full-thickness defects were well detected prospectively (93%) with conventional MRIs initially administered for observation reference of ligaments and menisci. Optimized MRIs, which included right-angled planes to the lesion surface and magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) sequences, delineated the size of lesions (R2 = 0.648,p < 0.0001) and the difference between full-and partial-thickness defects (88% in accuracy). A forward-tilt of 30 degrees to the femoral shaft was the average plane angle that afforded optimal visualization of the chondral lesions. Our findings advocate that routine MRIs are sufficient in detecting severe chondral lesions that require further examination, and the optimized images are highly useful in facilitating the recently developed therapeutic approaches and follow-up studies for articular cartilage defects.     

磁流变减振系统参数辨识

在对磁流变体的力学性能、减振系统设计和实验建模方法深入研究的基础上,提出了采用非线性顺序滤波来辨识磁流变化减振装置粘弹性模型参数的实验建模方法。研究表明,基于粘塑性假设,可用于该辨识算法获得库仑摩擦力和粘性摩擦系数。     

Characterisation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents using NMR relaxometry

ABSTRACT

This contribution describes the use of Fast Field-cycling relaxometry (FFC-NMR) for the characterisation of Gd(III)- and Mn(II)-based contrast agents for MRI. Through a series of selected examples, we analyse the role of different structural and dynamic parameters on ¹H relaxivity and on the shape of the ¹H Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profiles. The amplitude and shape of the profiles is affected by the number of water molecules coordinated to the metal ion, the water exchange rate, the rotational correlation time of the complex and the relaxation of the electron spin. As a result, ¹H NMRD profiles represent a powerful tool for the understanding of the properties of MRI contrast agent candidates at the molecular level.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging in the diagnosis of spinal osteomyelitis

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMR) was performed on two patients whose clinical radiograph and bone scanning suggested spinal osteomyelitis before and after successful antimicrobial therapy. The images obtained suggest that NMR may be more useful in the diagnosis of this condition than other conventional imaging techniques. Hitherto NMR has not been considered particularly useful for the diagnosis of bone disease. This may be true for cortical bone, from which no signal is obtained using the NMR technique, but for medullary bone it appears to be a potentially useful, non-invasive and safe method of diagnosis.     

A computer algorithm for the simulation of any nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging method

More than a dozen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging methods have been described using different radio-frequency pulse sequences, magnetic field gradient variations, and data processing. In order to have a theoretical understanding in the most general case, we have conceived a computer program for the simulation of NMR imaging techniques. The algorithm uses the solution of the Bloch equations at each point of a simulated object. The direction of every elementary magnetic moment is computed at each instant, and stored in an array giving the global signal to be processed, whatever the pulse and gradient sequence. To test the validity of this program, we have simulated some well-known experimental results. Some applications are presented which contribute to the understanding of image distortions and to techniques such as selective radio-frequency pulse or oscillating gradients. This program can be used to unravel physical and technological causes of image distortions, to have a "microscopic" look at any parameter of an experiment, and to study the contrast given by various NMR imaging techniques as a function of the three NMR parameters, i.e., the hydrogen nuclei density rho and the relaxation times T1 and T2.     

超极化~(129)Xe磁共振波谱和成像及在生物医学中的应用

文章简要介绍了磁共振波谱和成像的基本原理和对限制其灵敏度的挑战,详细阐述了为增强磁共振信号而制备超极化129Xe的物理机制,论述了129Xe在生物组织中的溶解性以及化学位移的特异性,综述了当前超极化129Xe在肺部、脑部成像领域的研究进展和在临床方面应用所取得的有代表性的研究成果,并讨论了基于超极化129Xe分子生物探针的超灵敏磁共振技术的研究前景,最后对超极化129Xe在生物医学领域的应用与发展作了展望.     

Effects of radiation therapy on the human normal brain (white matter) visualized by MR imaging

Sequential MR imaging could provide information related to the pathological changes due to the application of external cytotoxic agents such as radiotherapy on the central nervous system. This paper describes the results of our attempt to demonstrate short-term changes associated with normal brain during and immediately following radiotherapy when the whole brain is irradiated for malignant conditions. No observable changes were found in the normal brain parenchyma in any of the patients (n = 8) in T₁-, T₂-, and proton-density-weighted images in the sequential scans in the first and second weeks and immediately following radiotherapy. Also, no changes were observed in the normal brain appearance at 2 mo (n = 6), up to 6 mo (n = 1), and up to 15 mo (n = 1) after completion of radiotherapy.