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Biomedical subjects

Charles L Dumoulin

Publications and source records attributed to Charles L Dumoulin.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Feasibility of stent placement in carotid arteries with real-time MR imaging guidance in pigs.

All examinations were performed with approval from the institutional animal care and use committee of Columbia University. To assess the feasibility of real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided neurovascular intervention in a swine model, the authors placed stents in the carotid arteries of five domestic pigs. Seven-French vascular sheaths were placed in the target carotid arteries via femoral access by using active MR tracking. Ten nitinol stents (8-10 x 20-40 mm) were successfully deployed in the target segments of carotid arteries bilaterally. MR imaging and necropsy findings confirmed stent position. Necropsy revealed no gross vascular injury. Study results demonstrated the feasibility of performing real-time MR imaging-guided neurovascular intervention by using an active-tracking technique in an animal model.

Animals↗

Transfemoral catheterization of carotid arteries with real-time MR imaging guidance in pigs.

All procedures and protocols were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee of Columbia University. To determine whether transfemoral catheterization of the carotid arteries can be performed entirely with real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guidance, the authors catheterized the carotid arteries in six domestic pigs by using active-tracking catheters and guidewires and MR tracking software created for neurovascular procedures. The carotid arteries were successfully catheterized 24 times, on average within 5 minutes after insertion of the catheter into the femoral artery. Results demonstrated the feasibility of performing transfemoral catheterization of the carotid arteries with active MR tracking devices in a conventional MR imaging unit.

Animals↗

Highly parallel volumetric imaging with a 32-element RF coil array.

The improvement of MRI speed with parallel acquisition is ultimately an SNR-limited process. To offset acquisition- and reconstruction-related SNR losses, practical parallel imaging at high accelerations should include the use of a many-element array with a high intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spatial-encoding capability, and an advantageous imaging paradigm. We present a 32-element receive-coil array and a volumetric paradigm that address the SNR challenge at high accelerations by maximally exploiting multidimensional acceleration in conjunction with noise averaging. Geometric details beyond an initial design concept for the array were determined with the guidance of simulations. Imaging with the support of 32-channel data acquisition systems produced in vivo results with up to 16-fold acceleration, including images from rapid abdominal and MRA studies.

Equipment Design↗

Large field-of-view real-time MRI with a 32-channel system.

The emergence of parallel MRI techniques and new applications for real-time interactive MRI underscores the need to evaluate performance gained by increasing the capability of MRI phased-array systems beyond the standard four to eight high-bandwidth channels. Therefore, to explore the advantages of highly parallel MRI a 32-channel 1.5 T MRI system and 32-element torso phased arrays were designed and constructed for real-time interactive MRI. The system was assembled from multiple synchronized scanner-receiver subsystems. Software was developed to coordinate across subsystems the real-time acquisition, reconstruction, and display of 32-channel images. Real-time, large field-of-view (FOV) body-survey imaging was performed using interleaved echo-planar and single-shot fast-spin-echo pulse sequences. A new method is demonstrated for augmenting parallel image acquisition by independently offsetting the frequency of different array elements (FASSET) to variably shift their FOV. When combined with conventional parallel imaging techniques, image acceleration factors of up to 4 were investigated. The use of a large number of coils allowed the FOV to be doubled in two dimensions during rapid imaging, with no degradation of imaging time or spatial resolution. The system provides a platform for evaluating the applications of many-channel real-time MRI, and for understanding the factors that optimize the choice of array size.

Abdomen↗

Extended field-of-view imaging with table translation and frequency sweeping.

A new method for MRI of an extended field of view (FOV) has been developed and validated. The method employs concurrent MR data acquisition and patient table motion. Table motion-induced image artifacts are minimized by sweeping the frequency of the receiver at a rate matching the table's speed. Multiple regional images are collected and combined to reconstruct the full FOV. The imaging parameters and table speed are chosen to ensure that each regional image of the subject is collected while the corresponding anatomy is in the useable imaging volume of the scanner. Additional strategies are applied to further reduce field inhomogeneity-induced artifacts, especially distortions due to gradient field nonlinearity. The method is robust and can be easily incorporated into most multislice 2D and volumetric 3D imaging pulse sequences. It is anticipated that this technique will be useful for a variety of applications, including angiographic runoffs, whole-body screening, and short-magnet imaging.

Algorithms↗

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging for interventional neuroradiological procedures.

Over the last two decades, interventional neuroradiologists have developed powerful techniques for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and brain tumors. Current interventional neuroradiological procedures are performed under X-ray fluoroscopy, which has allowed for high temporal and spatial resolution. However, these imaging techniques do not provide the treating physician with vital anatomic and functional information regarding vessel walls and the surrounding brain tissue. Better visualization of vessel structures and real-time information about the state of perfusion and metabolism of the surrounding brain tissue (real-time magnetic resonance arteriography, diffusion and perfusion-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient maps) would enhance safety and efficacy of neuroendovascular procedures available currently. Recent advances in magnetic resonance hardware and software have permitted significant enhancements in temporal and spatial resolution, which have resulted in the capability of visualizing anatomic structures with real-time fluoroscopy and angiography. This review outlines how real-time magnetic resonance procedures may replace conventional X-ray fluoroscopy in diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology during the next decade.

Brain Neoplasms↗