University of Pittsburgh research has developed a novel method for non-invasive measurement of intracellular sodium concentration (ISC) in humans using short-T2 sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This technique significantly reduces specific absorption rate (SAR) and enhances signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making it practical for clinical applications. Potential uses include monitoring brain tumor treatment and detecting neurological disorders.
Description
The method involves using short-T2 sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure intracellular sodium concentration (ISC) in humans. It acquires two single-quantum sodium images at different echo times, processes them to produce a short-T2 sodium image, and applies integrated quantification to generate images of ISC and total sodium concentration (TSC). This technique significantly reduces specific absorption rate (SAR) and enhances signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making it practical for clinical use.
Applications
• Monitoring brain tumor treatment
• Detection of neurological disorders
• Non-invasive imaging
• Clinical MRI
Advantages
The short-T2 sodium MRI method presents several advantages over existing techniques, including significantly lower SAR, higher SNR, and shorter scan times. These improvements render the method practical for clinical use, enabling accurate measurement of intracellular sodium concentration in patients. The method holds promise for applications in monitoring brain tumor treatment and detecting neurological disorders, providing critical insights into nerve cell injury, damage, or degeneration.
Invention Readiness
The concept has been defined, and in vivo data supports the development of this technology. The method has demonstrated significant improvements over existing techniques, indicating its potential for further development and commercialization.
IP Status
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