NCT02840019NARecruitingAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Advanced Fetal Imaging - Phase II

Boston Children's Hospital

Start Date

7/1/2016

Completion Date

6/1/2028

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.

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

Age Range: 18 years to 45 years

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

Interventions

DEVICE

Investigational MRI coil designed for pregnant women

PROCEDURE

MRI Scan

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Conditions

Pregnancy

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts 02115

United States