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.
Conditions
Pregnancy
Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Detailed 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 also includes testing of newly developed radio frequency (RF) receive-only coil arrays that would inherently provide the means for faster imaging of the fetus, and thus complement the software developments.
Eligibility Criteria
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 fetal MRI by their obstetrician
AND
The clinical fetal MRI will occur at Boston Children's Hospital
Exclusion Criteria:
Pregnant women with a contraindication to MRI (implanted metal, non-removable piercings, pacemaker, etc)
Pregnant women who are claustrophobic
Pregnant women who are medically unstable for an MRI
Intervention
Intervention Type
Intervention Name
Device
Investigational MRI coil designed for pregnant women
Procedure
MRI Scan
Phase
Not Applicable
Gender
Female
Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
45 Years
Download Date
July 27, 2023
Principal Investigator
Ellen Grant
Primary Contact Information
For more information on this trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Contact
For more information and to contact the study team: