Method for imaging abdominal aorta and aortic aneurysms
First Claim
1. A method of imaging an aorta of a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, comprising,performing a first imaging sequence for locating the aorta;
- performing a second imaging sequence to provide at least one image of the aorta, including,administering a substantial portion of a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and
collecting image data which is representative of a substantial portion of a center of k-space while the concentration of the contrast agent in the aorta is substantially higher than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the aorta.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a technique and apparatus for acquiring anatomic information used in diagnosing and characterizing abdominal aortic aneurismal disease and the like. This technique provides anatomic information, in the form of images, using a combination of a plurality of magnetic resonance angiography sequences, including a spin-echo and four contrast enhanced (e.g., gadolinium) magnetic resonance angiography sequences. The anatomic images may be used in, for example, pre-operative, operative and post-operative evaluation of aortic pathology, including aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and occlusive disease of branch vessels such as the renal arteries. The gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography provides sufficient anatomic detail to detect aneurysms and all relevant major branch vessel abnormalities seen at angiography operation. This technique and apparatus allows for imaging the aorta at a fraction of the cost of conventional aortography and without the risks of arterial catheterization or iodinated contrast.
-
Citations
54 Claims
-
1. A method of imaging an aorta of a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, comprising,
performing a first imaging sequence for locating the aorta; performing a second imaging sequence to provide at least one image of the aorta, including, administering a substantial portion of a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and collecting image data which is representative of a substantial portion of a center of k-space while the concentration of the contrast agent in the aorta is substantially higher than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the aorta. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
11. A method of imaging aorta using magnetic resonance imaging, comprising,
performing a first imaging sequence for locating the aorta; performing a second imaging sequence to obtain at least one image of the aorta, including, administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and collecting image data which is representative of at least a substantial portion of a center of k-space while the concentration of the contrast in the aorta is about a maximum relative to adjacent veins and background tissue. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
20. A method of imaging portions of an aorta in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, comprising,
performing a imaging sequence for locating the aorta; performing a 3D imaging sequence to obtain at least one image of the aorta, including, administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and collecting image data which is representative of a portion of a center of k-space while a concentration of the contrast agent in the aorta is substantially higher than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the aorta, wherein the image data is collected using a flip angle which is between about 20°
to about 90°
.- View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
25. A method of imaging aorta of a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, wherein the aorta includes a lumen, the method comprising,
performing a first imaging sequence for locating the aorta; performing a second imaging sequence to image at least a portion of the lumen, including, administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and collecting image data which is representative of a center of k-space while the concentration of the contrast agent is substantially higher than a concentration of contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the aorta. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
-
28. A method of imaging an aorta in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, comprising,
performing a first imaging sequence for locating the aorta; performing a second imaging sequence to image at least a portion of the aorta, including, administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and collecting data which is representative of a center of k-space when a concentration of the contrast agent in the aorta is substantially higher than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the aorta. - View Dependent Claims (24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
-
46. A method of imaging a portion of an aorta in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, wherein the aorta includes a lumen, said method comprising,
performing an imaging sequence to obtain at least one image of the lumen, including, administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; - and
collecting a substantial portion of image data which is representative of a center of k-space while a concentration of the contrast agent in the aorta is substantially higher relative to adjacent veins and background tissue. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
- and
Specification