US 12,114,968 B2
System and method for magnetic resonance elastography
Jeffrey H. Kaditz, Wilson, WY (US); and Andrew G. Stevens, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Assigned to Q Bio, Inc., San Carlos, CA (US)
Filed by Q Bio, Inc., San Carlos, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/526,806.
Application 18/526,806 is a continuation of application No. 16/085,877, granted, now 11,872,025, previously published as PCT/US2017/022911, filed on Mar. 17, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/310,667, filed on Mar. 18, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0099603 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 5/055 (2006.01); G01R 33/341 (2006.01); G01R 33/563 (2006.01); G06T 7/00 (2017.01)
CPC A61B 5/055 (2013.01) [G01R 33/341 (2013.01); G01R 33/56358 (2013.01); G06T 7/0012 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a platform;
a gel pad on a surface of the platform; and
a sensor array comprising:
at least one ultrasound transducer, and
at least one radiofrequency (RF) transmitter and receiver coil, wherein the sensor array is embedded within the gel pad, and the gel pad comprises an aqueous material and is configured to provide mechanical impedance matching between the at least one ultrasound transducer and a biological lifeform;
wherein the aqueous material transmits more ultrasound energy than glycerin, mineral oil or water;
wherein at least the one ultrasound transducer and at least the one RF transmitter are embedded within the gel pad; and
wherein embedded comprises surrounding and having contact with at least three sides of at least the one ultrasound transducer and at least the one RF transmitter; and
wherein, when performing Magnetic Resonance (MR) Elastography measurements on the biological lifeform, the apparatus is configured to:
generate one or more shear waves in the biological lifeform;
acquire one or more images of propagation of the one or more shear waves in the biological lifeform; and
provide information associated with the one or more images that specifies a quantitative map of a tissue stiffness of the biological lifeform.