Smart MRI: New methodology provides MRI results 6 Times Faster Than Current Exams for Adult and Pediatric Populations

Pitt researchers have found a methodology for obtaining diagnostic quality magnetic resonance (MR) neuro exams in under 10 minutes, which is significantly shorter than current exams that typically take 1 hour. Long exam times limit patient throughput and increase MR exam cost per patient. Long exam scan times also necessitate sedation for many pediatric patients which can have adverse effects on neurodevelopment. While this technology is initially being developed for neuro MR applications, it is also applicable to a wide variety of other MR applications, including musculoskeletal, cardiac, and abdominal imaging.

Description

With this new methodology, Pitt researchers can speed up the acquisition of a brain MR image by 6 times or more without losing clinically relevant information. This new methodology uses intelligent transmit design pulse design and intelligent specification of the sparse domain to maximize the clinically relevant information while discarding other extraneous information, reducing the number of necessary data points to acquire.

Applications

· For use in MRI exams with adult and pediatric populations

Advantages

· Significantly faster MRI exam time
· Can speed up acquisition of a brain image by 6-10 times or more compared to current technology

Invention Readiness

Prototype

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2022032133A1