Open architecture imaging apparatus and coil system for magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

1 . A variable angle guide plug holder system for use in interventional procedures, comprising:
 a guide plug holder for receiving an angular determination fixture;   the guide plug holder movable relative to the angular determination fixture between a plurality of positions, each position providing a different angle of insertion relative to a point of origin on the angular determination fixture;   a plate plug portion removeably engaged with the angular determination fixture;   a guide plate having a plurality of guide plate apertures, wherein the guide plug holder is insertable into a respective guide plate aperture; and   a medical instrument for use in an interventional procedure, configured to be inserted into the respective guide plate aperture at a respective angle of insertion.   
     
     
         2 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein a user may specify any angle of insertion between a first angle of insertion and a second angle of insertion. 
     
     
         3 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the angular determination fixture comprises an arch reflecting an angular position for the respective angle of insertion. 
     
     
         4 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 3 , wherein the angular determination fixture comprises a goniometer. 
     
     
         5 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotation plane for defining a rotation angle of insertion for the medical device. 
     
     
         6 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plug holder includes a locking configuration configured to fix the angle of insertion. 
     
     
         7 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 6 , wherein the locking configuration is configured to fix an angle of rotation. 
     
     
         8 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 6 , wherein the guide plate further comprises fiducial holder receptacles for receiving a fiducial holder. 
     
     
         9 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 6 , further comprising a second guide plug holder configured at a second angle of insertion. 
     
     
         10 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 6 , wherein the guide plug holder is configured to be replaced by the second guide plug holder. 
     
     
         11 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plate further comprises a sterile membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plate further comprises a compression portion and an aperture portion. 
     
     
         13 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 12 , wherein the aperture portion is adjustable relative to the compression portion. 
     
     
         14 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 12 , wherein the aperture portion is configured to position the plurality of guide plate apertures over different regions of patient tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is inserted through a gimbal. 
     
     
         16 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plug holder engages a gimbal. 
     
     
         17 . The variable angle guide plug holder system of  claim 16 , wherein the gimbal is constructed an arranged with a flat portion proximate to a patient surface to provide a plurality of trajectories for accessing a common entry point on the patient surface. 
     
     
         18 . A method of configuring a variable angle guide plug holder for the purpose of conducting an interventional procedure, comprising the steps of:
 determining an angle for insertion of a medical instrument for relative to a point of origin;   setting the variable angle guide plug holder having a guide plug holder to the determined angle;   inserting the variable angle guide plug holder into a respective guide plate aperture of a plurality of guide plate apertures of a guide plate; and   inserting a medical instrument through the guide plug holder and the respective guide plate aperture of the plurality of guide plate apertures to a tissue of interest.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising limiting the orientation of a plate plug portion of the guide plug holder, such that inserting the variable angle guide plug holder into the respective guide plate aperture of the plurality of guide plate apertures of a guide plate is limited to one orientation of the variable angle guide plug holder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising swapping the variable angle guide plug holder with a second variable angle guide plug holder configured with a second angle of insertion.