Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance arteriography using contrast agents
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a technique of, and system for, imaging vascular anatomy over distance considerably greater than the maximum practical field of view of a magnetic resonance imaging system while using substantially one contrast agent injection. The technique and system of the present invention acquires image data of a plurality of image volumes which are representative of different portions of the patient'"'"'s body. The image data of each image volume includes image data which is representative of the center of k-space. The acquisition of image data which is representative of the center of k-space is correlated with a concentration of contrast agent in the artery(ies) residing in the image volume being substantially greater than the concentration of contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the artery(ies). This provides preferential enhancement of arteries relative to adjacent veins and background tissue for each acquisition, wherein each acquisition is representative of a different portion of the arterial system (e.g., abdominal aorta, femoral, popliteal, and tibial arteries).
83 Citations
84 Claims
-
1-59. -59. (canceled)
-
60. A method of imaging arteries in a human patient using a magnetic resonance imaging system and a magnetic resonance contrast agent, wherein the arteries include a first artery which is located in a first image volume, a second artery which is located in a second image volume and a third artery which is located in a third image volume, the method comprising:
-
injecting the human patient with the magnetic resonance contrast agent via one injection;
collecting magnetic resonance image data of the first image volume, wherein at least a substantial portion of the image data of the first image volume is collected during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the first artery;
collecting magnetic resonance image data of the second image volume, wherein at least a substantial portion of the image data of the second image volume is collected during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the second artery;
collecting magnetic resonance image data of the third image volume, wherein at least a substantial portion of the image data of the third image volume is collected during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the third artery; and
constructing an image of;
the first artery using the image data of the first image volume;
the second artery using the image data of the second image volume, and the third artery using the image data of the third image volume. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
-
-
70. A magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging arteries in a patient using an injected contrast agent of one injection, wherein the arteries include a first artery which is located in a first image volume and a second artery which is located in a second image volume, the system comprises:
-
a platform to support the patient, the platform being moveable between a plurality of locations including a first location which defines a first field of view encompassing the first artery and a second location which defines a second field of view encompassing the second artery;
a platform controller, coupled to the platform, to automatically move the platform from the first location to the second location; and
magnetic resonance imaging unit to collect;
magnetic resonance image data of the first image volume during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the first artery and while the platform is positioned at the first location, and magnetic resonance image data of the second image volume during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the second artery and while the platform is positioned at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
-
-
78. A method of imaging arteries in a human patient using a magnetic resonance imaging system and a magnetic resonance contrast agent, wherein the arteries include a first artery, which is located in a first image volume, and a second artery, which is located in a second image volume, the method comprising:
-
injecting the human patient with the magnetic resonance contrast agent via one injection;
monitoring a region of interest to detect the arrival of the injected contrast agent in a region of interest, wherein the region of interest includes at least a portion of the first artery;
collecting magnetic resonance image data of the first image volume after detecting the arrival of the injected contrast agent in the region of interest, wherein at least a portion of the image data of the first image volume is collected during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the first artery;
collecting magnetic resonance image data of the second image volume, wherein at least a portion of the image data of the second image volume is collected during an arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the second artery; and
constructing an image of (i) the first artery using the image data of the first image volume and (ii) the second artery using the image data of the second image volume. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
-
Specification