A Method of Assessing Vascular Reactivity Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

precision, using magnetic resonance imaging. The most commonly used noninvasive technique for assessing arterial endothelial function employs ultrasound. There are several improvements using this invention. One problem with the ultrasound-based method is that shear rate during hypermia, the stimulus for dilation that is dependent on resistance vessel endothelial function, is either not measured, or is calculated based on assumptions that decrease accuracy. With JHU's invention, shear rate is measured directly, efficiently and precisely with an automated, user-independent algorithm. In addition, a computationally efficient and precise algorithm is used to measure arterial dimension. Also, the MRI-based algorithm is used to measure low-flow mediated constriction. Overall, this invention potentially provides for better assessment of vascular endothelial function. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) This invention could be useful for assessing risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease in groups of subjects in a clinical study, or it could be useful for evaluating anti-atherosclerotic therapy in groups of subjects in a clinical trial. It may also be useful for assessing atherosclerotic risk or evaluating anti-atherosclerotic therapy in individual subjects or patients.The invention could be incorporated in a software/hardware package as part of a cardiovascular magnetic resonance scanner. As such, it may be of interest to magnetic resonance scanner manufacturers, or to companies who sell software packages to MRI manufacturers or users.

Inventor(s): Silber, Harry A.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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