Method and apparatus for obtaining a magnetic resonance image from a number of slices of an examination subject

• US 5,719,498 A
• Filed: 08/07/1996
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Hausmann, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Arana, Louis M.
• Application Number:
  US08/693,755
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 324/309, 324/307, 324/306, 324/300, 324/312
• US Class Current: 324/309
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/4822 in three dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/4835 of multiple slices

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for obtaining a magnetic resonance image from a number of slices of an examination subject, a survey image is generated perpendicular to desired slices which are to be imaged, and the desired slices are graphically positioned within the survey image. A three-dimensional data set is then obtained which includes the desired slices, and the desired slices are reconstructed from the three-dimensional data set, thereby obtaining image data. An image of the desired slices is then displayed using the image data.

Claims

1. A method for generating a magnetic resonance image from a plurality of slices of an examination subject, comprising the steps of:

generating a two-dimensional survey image perpendicular to desired slices of the examination subject which are to be imaged;

graphically positioning said desired slices within said survey image;

obtaining a three-dimensional magnetic resonance data set which encompasses said desired slices;

reconstructing said desired slices from said three-dimensional data set to produce image data; and

generating an image of the desired slices from said image data.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of graphically positioning said desired slices comprises graphically positioning arbitrarily curved desired slices using said survey image.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional step of modifying a position of said desired slices after obtaining said three-dimensional data set during reconstruction of said desired slices.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining said three-dimensional data set comprises obtaining said three-dimensional data set from a subject volume having a position and thickness which are selected to include all of said desired slices.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining said three-dimensional data set comprises obtaining said three-dimensional data set from a subject volume having a position and thickness which are selected to include a portion of said desired slices.

6. An apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image from a plurality slices of an examination subject, comprising:

means for generating a two-dimensional survey image perpendicular to desired slices of the examination subject which are to be imaged;

means for graphically positioning said desired slices within said survey image;

means for obtaining a three-dimensional magnetic resonance data set which encompasses said desired slices;

means for reconstructing said desired slices from said three-dimensional data set to produce image data; and

means for generating an image of the desired slices from said image data.