Fiducial Markers and Related Methods

Abstract

In part, the invention relates to fiduciary markers suitable for affixing to a patient that are detectable with respect an imaging modality such as MRI and methods of making the same. The markers include a paramagnetic material disposed therein that generates a distinguishable signal relative to a patient or other biological sample of interest during an imaging data collection session. Further, the markers demonstrate desirable signal to noise ratios across two or more MRI data collection procedures in one embodiment. The length of the markers is also adjustable by, for example, cutting or tearing a substrate upon which a substantially fluid-free region straddles a specified separation position on the substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A non-invasive fiducial marker comprising:
 a membrane having a thickness (M);   a cavity defined by the membrane having a volume (V); and   an solution comprising
 a paramagnetic material and 
 a substantially radiopaque material, the solution disposed in and substantially filling the cavity. 
   
     
     
         30 . The non-invasive fiducial marker of  claim 29  wherein the paramagnetic material comprises gadolinium. 
     
     
         31 . The non-invasive fiducial marker of  claim 30  the solution has a concentration of gadolinium of about 0.65 mM. 
     
     
         32 . The non-invasive fiducial marker of  claim 30  wherein the solution has a concentration of gadolinium of about 2.7 mM. 
     
     
         33 . The non-invasive fiducial marker of  claim 30  wherein the solution has a concentration of gadolinium of about 1.3 mM. 
     
     
         34 . The non-invasive fiducial marker of  claim 29  wherein the substantially radiopaque material comprises Barium. 
     
     
         35 . The non-invasive fiducial marker of  claim 29  wherein the membrane is a polymer.