Advanced Fetal Imaging - Phase II
Boston Children's Hospital
Summary
The goal of Advanced Fetal Imaging - Phase II is to advance fetal MRI imaging by designing MRI coils specifically for pregnant women and testing recently developed MRI image acquisition techniques. The investigators aim to more reliably obtain higher quality fetal MRI images when compared to current clinical fetal MRI.
Description
The main aim of this project is to evaluate and optimize the existing clinical magnetic resonance (MR) techniques for fetal imaging, and to also implement and test new MR technologies that would improve fetal imaging in general. This involves the development of new pulse sequences and image acquisition schemes that "freeze" fetal motion and hence provide improved image quality and robustness for both structural (T1- and T2- weighted, susceptibility and FLAIR imaging) and physiological imaging (diffusion, perfusion, spectroscopy, resting-state functional MRI, etc). The scope of this project als…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–45 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * 60 Minute Full Research MRI Scan: * Gestational age between 18 and 40 weeks * AND * Pregnant women with a healthy pregnancy * OR * Pregnant women with a concern for fetal/placental abnormalities referred for a clinical fetal MRI by their obstetrician * OR * Pregnant women with a concern for fetal/placental abnormalities NOT referred for a clinical fetal MRI by their obstetrician * 15 Minute Add-On Research Scan: * Gestational age between 18 and 40 weeks * AND * Pregnant women with a concern for fetal abnormalities referred for a clinical…
Interventions
- DeviceInvestigational MRI coil designed for pregnant women
The investigational MRI receiver coil designed specifically for pregnant women will be used during the 60 minute full research MRI scan. An MRI receiver coil is part of the MRI machine that is placed over the body part being imaged during every MRI scan. A coil is required to obtain MR images, yet there isn't one designed for pregnant women. This investigational MRI receiver coil for pregnant women will be tested to see if it helps improve image quality and take images faster.
- ProcedureMRI Scan
All participants will participate in an MRI scan. The add-on MRI scan will be 15 minutes. The full MRI scan will be 60 minutes.
Location
- Boston Children's HospitalBoston, Massachusetts