Patent ID: 6735461
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method for performing a focused ultrasound procedure being monitored using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the MRI system using a timing sequence for transmitting radio frequency (RF) pulse sequences and detecting magnetic resonance (MR) response signals from a patient's body in response to the RF pulse sequences, the method comprising:driving a piezoelectric transducer with electrical drive signals such that the transducer emits acoustic energy towards a target tissue region within the patient's body while the MRI system is detecting MR response signals; changing parameters of the drive signals only at one or more times during the timing sequence that minimize interference with the MRI system detecting MR response signals; and determining the timing sequence of the MRI system, wherein determining the timing sequence of the MRI system comprises synchronizing a clock driving the MRI system with a clock driving the transducer to obtain a synchronization constant relating clock speeds of the clocks; determining a delay between when the MRI system is initially activated and when the MRI system begins transmitting RF pulse sequences; and determining the timing sequence of the MRI system by adjusting a predetermined cycle period of the MRI system by the delay and the synchronization constant.