System for imaging malignant tumors using carbon 13 with MRI

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a method for imaging a malignancy in a patient, in situ, requires feeding the patient a nutrient that is enriched with carbon 13 ( 13 C). This feeding step can be accomplished either orally or intravenously, and can last for approximately 24 hours. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques are then used on the patient with rf energy that is tuned to the nuclear resonance of 13 C. An image of selected tissue in the patient is thereby created, and this image is thereafter evaluated for any concentrations of 13 C that will delineate a malignancy. If present, the malignancy can then be treated. A subsequent (feeding)/(MRI imaging) procedure may be performed. The image that is created in this subsequent procedure can then be compared with the image that was created in the first procedure to determine the efficacy of the treatment, or to determine a growth rate for the malignancy.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for identifying rapidly dividing cells of a malignancy in in situ tissue of a patient, said system comprising: 
 a nutrient enriched with  13 C;    means for administering said nutrient to the patient for use by in situ tissue during cell division to incorporate said  13 C into cells of the in situ tissue;    means for positioning the in situ tissue in a magnetic field;    means for radiating the in situ tissue in the magnetic field with rf energy, the rf energy being tuned for nuclear resonance with  13 C to create an image of the in situ tissue; and    means for evaluating the image for concentrations of  13 C therein to identify the rapidly dividing cells.    
     
     
         2 . A system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said nutrient contains glucose when the selected tissue is non fatty.  
     
     
         3 . A system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said nutrient contains an amino acid when the selected tissue is fatty.  
     
     
         4 . A system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said nutrient is administered orally.  
     
     
         5 . A system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said nutrient is administered intravenously.  
     
     
         6 . A system for identifying rapidly dividing cells in in situ tissue of a patient which comprises: 
 a nutrient enriched with  13 C;    a means for administering said nutrient to the patient to provide  13 C for use by the in situ tissue during cell division to incorporate said  13 C into cells of the in situ tissue; and    a means for detecting a concentration of said  13 C in the in situ tissue to identify rapidly dividing cells in the in situ tissue.    
     
     
         7 . A system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said nutrient contains glucose when the selected tissue is non fatty.  
     
     
         8 . A system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said nutrient contains an amino acid when the selected tissue is fatty.  
     
     
         9 . A system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said nutrient is administered orally.  
     
     
         10 . A system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said nutrient is administered intravenously.