Methods, Systems, and Devices for Imaging Microscopic Tumors

Abstract

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI). More specifically, clinical applications of the disclosed include magnetic resonance (MR) guided procedures such as endovascular interventions, percutaneous biopsies or deep brain stimulation

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An omnidirectional MRI resonant marker, comprising:
 a) a tunable capacitor;   b) a conductor formed into a conductor coil, the conductor coil operably coupled to the tunable capacitor, wherein the conductor coil is configured to be associated with a medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , wherein the conductor coil comprises a double helix configuration or a solenoid configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , wherein the tunable capacitor is configured to be tunable by modifying the capacitor structurally or chemically. 
     
     
         4 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer sealant layer disposed over the tunable capacitor and the conductor coil. 
     
     
         5 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , further comprising a resistor operably coupled to the tunable capacitor and the conductor coil. 
     
     
         6 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the conductor coil is perpendicular to a magnetic resonance field. 
     
     
         7 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , wherein the tunable capacitor and the conductor coil are formed from a flexible circuit laminate. 
     
     
         8 . The resonant marker of  claim 7 , further comprising an insulating layer on one side of the conductor. 
     
     
         9 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , wherein the tunable capacitor is integral with the conductor coil. 
     
     
         10 . The resonant marker of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a catheter. 
     
     
         11 . An omnidirectional MRI resonant marker, comprising:
 a) a tunable capacitor configured to be tunable by modification of the capacitor; and   b) a conductor formed into a conductor coil, the conductor coil operably coupled to the tunable capacitor, wherein the conductor coil comprises a double helix configuration and is configured to be associated with a catheter.   
     
     
         12 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , wherein the conductor coil is configured to be positioned around the catheter. 
     
     
         13 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , wherein the conductor coil is configured to be disposed within a wall of the catheter. 
     
     
         14 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , further comprising an outer sealant layer disposed over the tunable capacitor and the conductor coil. 
     
     
         15 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , further comprising a resistor operably coupled to the tunable capacitor and the conductor coil. 
     
     
         16 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , wherein at least one portion of the conductor coil is perpendicular to a magnetic resonance field. 
     
     
         17 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , wherein the modification of the tunable capacitor is removal of a portion of the capacitor. 
     
     
         18 . The resonant marker of  claim 11 , wherein the tunable capacitor is integral with the conductor coil. 
     
     
         19 . An omnidirectional MRI trackable catheter, comprising:
 a) a catheter body;   b) a conductor formed into a double helix conductor coil, wherein the conductor coil is associated with the catheter body, wherein at least one portion of the conductor coil is perpendicular to a magnetic resonance field; and   c) a tunable capacitor operably coupled to and integral with the conductor coil, wherein the tunable capacitor is configured to be tunable by modification of the capacitor.   
     
     
         20 . The trackable catheter of  claim 19 , further comprising an outer sealant layer disposed over the tunable capacitor and the conductor coil.