Alignment of multiple MR images using navigator signals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for acquiring images during a succession of magnetic resonance examinations of a subject, the steps comprising:
- a) positioning the subject in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system;
b) acquiring a prescribed image of the subject by performing an imaging pulse sequence;
c) acquiring associated NMR navigator signal data by performing a navigator signal pulse sequence;
d) storing the prescribed image and associated NMR navigator signal data;
e) removing the subject from the MRI system;
f) re-examining the subject to acquire a subsequent image by repeating steps a), b) and c) and aligning the subject depicted in the prescribed image and the subject depicted in the subsequent image using information in their associated NMR navigator signal data.
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Abstract
A series of MR examinations of a patient are performed and the acquired images are aligned with each other so that small anatomic changes can be detected when images are compared. Alignment is achieved by acquiring navigator signals during each examination which are analyzed to measure patient misalignment from one examination to the next. The rotational and translational misalignment information is used to either prospectively or retrospectively align the MR images.
41 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for acquiring images during a succession of magnetic resonance examinations of a subject, the steps comprising:
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a) positioning the subject in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system;
b) acquiring a prescribed image of the subject by performing an imaging pulse sequence;
c) acquiring associated NMR navigator signal data by performing a navigator signal pulse sequence;
d) storing the prescribed image and associated NMR navigator signal data;
e) removing the subject from the MRI system;
f) re-examining the subject to acquire a subsequent image by repeating steps a), b) and c) and aligning the subject depicted in the prescribed image and the subject depicted in the subsequent image using information in their associated NMR navigator signal data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for performing a series of magnetic resonance imaging examinations of a subject, the steps comprising:
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a) positioning the subject in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system;
b) acquiring a prescribed image of the subject by performing an imaging pulse sequence;
c) acquiring associated NMR navigator signal data by performing a spherical navigator signal pulse sequence;
d) storing the prescribed image and associated NMR navigator signal data;
e) re-examining the subject to acquire a subsequent image by repeating steps a), b) and c) and wherein the subject depicted in the prescribed image is aligned with the subject depicted in the subsequent image by translating and rotating the subsequent image using information in their associated NMR navigator signal data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification