Filing Information

Inventor(s)	Orlando Paul Simonetti · Eric Lee Foster · John Wayne Arnold · Subha V. Raman ·
Assignee(s)	The Ohio State University ·  View assignee updates
Correspondent	STANDLEY LAW GROUP LLP ·
Application Number	US12424835
Filing date	04/16/2009
Publication date	10/15/2009
Predicted expiration date	10/19/2027
U.S. Classifications	600/410  · 482/54  ·
International Classifications	A61B5055  · A63B2202  ·
Kind Code	A1

Patent Family

Abstract

A system and method for cardiovascular exercise stress magnetic resonance using a MRI-compatible treadmill and real-time imaging. The treadmill comprises non-ferromagnetic components so that it may be used in proximity to a MRI scanner. The treadmill is positioned adjacent to the MRI scan table. A treadmill control system is used to control the speed and grade of the treadmill to allow it to perform a wide range of exercise protocols. Patients complete an exercise protocol on the treadmill and are then moved to the MRI scan table. Images are acquired as quickly as possible post-exercise to more accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease in patients.

Independent Claims | See all claims (25)

1. 1. A method for performing a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging examination following treadmill exercise stress comprising: (a) positioning in an MRI examination room a non-ferromagnetic treadmill, said treadmill comprising a programmable component; (b) providing program instructions to said treadmill for execution in said programmable component to perform an exercise protocol at said treadmill causing a patient to achieve cardiovascular stress; (c) transferring said patient from said treadmill to an MRI examination table after said patient achieves cardiovascular stress; (d) acquiring from said MRI scanner, magnetic resonance cardiac imaging data using real time imaging techniques that eliminate breath holding requirements; and (e) analyzing said cardiac image data for said patient to assess presence of cardiovascular disease.
2. 8. A system for performing a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging examination following treadmill exercise stress comprising: a non-ferromagnetic treadmill positioned in an MRI examination room in proximity to a MRI scanner, said treadmill comprising a programmable component; a treadmill control computer in communication with said programmable component to perform an exercise protocol at said treadmill causing a patient to reach cardiovascular stress; a MRI examination table in said MRI examination room for receiving said patient from said treadmill after said patient reaches cardiovascular stress; a MRI scanner for acquiring cardiac imaging data for said patient using real time imaging techniques that eliminate breath holding requirements; and a scanner computer for receiving said cardiac imaging data for said patient and analyzing said cardiac image data for said patient to assess presence of cardiovascular disease.
3. 15. A treadmill comprising: a support; and a belt rotatably associated with said support; wherein said treadmill is comprised of non-ferromagnetic material such that said treadmill is suitable for use in a MRI examination room in close proximity to a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a scan table for positioning a patient inside a magnet bore.