Method and apparatus for shortening T1 or T2, or lengthening the ADC of a substance by the use of electric current

• US 6,624,632 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Sekino, Masaki, Yamaguchi, Kikuo, Ueno, Shoogo, Iriguchi, Norio
• Primary Examiner(s): ARANA, LOUIS M
• Application Number:
  US10/044,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 324/309, 324/307, 324/300, 324/312, 324/314, 324/306, 324/318, 324/322
• US Class Current: 324/309
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/56341 Diffusion imaging

Abstract

In a method and apparatus for obtaining magnetic resonance data from water-containing substance, nuclear spins are excited in the substance in the presence of a homogenous static magnetic field, while an electrical current is flowing in the subject. The electrical current flowing in the subject shortens the spin-spin relaxation time and the spin-lattice relaxation time, and lengthens the apparent diffusion coefficient of the substance.

Claims

1. A method for generating magnetic resonance data, selected from the group consisting of image data and spectrum data, comprising the steps of:

placing a water-containing substance in a homogenous static magnetic field;

applying a radio-frequency field to said substance and thereby exciting nuclear spins in said substance;

while said nuclear spins are excited, applying an electrical current through said substance and thereby reducing at least one of spin-lattice relaxation time and a spin-spin relaxation time in said substance; and

obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from said substance resulting from said spins.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said water-containing substance is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte solution in a living body, and tissue in a living body.

3. A method for generating magnetic resonance data, selected from the group consisting of image data and spectrum data, comprising the steps of:

placing a water-containing substance in a homogenous static magnetic field;

applying a radio-frequency field to said substance and thereby exciting nuclear spins in said substance;

while said nuclear spins are excited, applying an electrical current through said substance to reduce the apparent diffusion coefficient of said substance; and

obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from said substance resulting from said spins.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said water-containing substance is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte solution in a living body, and tissue in a living body.

5. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:

a basic field magnet which generates a homogenous static magnetic field in which a water-containing substance is disposed;

a radio-frequency system which applies a radio-frequency magnetic field to said substance in said homogenous static magnetic field to excite nuclear spins therein;

a gradient field system which generates at least one gradient magnetic field in said substance while said spins are excited;

a current applicator adapted for interaction with said substance to apply an electrical current through said substance while said nuclear spins are excited therein to reduce at least one of a spin-lattice relaxation time and a spin-spin relaxation time of said substance;

said radio-frequency system detecting magnetic resonance signals produced in said substance by said nuclear spins; and

a computer system supplied with said magnetic resonance signals which generates a magnetic resonance image therefrom selected from the group consisting of a T1-weighted image and T2-weighted image.

6. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:

a basic field magnet which generates a homogenous static magnetic field in which a water-containing substance is disposed;

a radio-frequency system which applies a radio-frequency field to said substance in said homogenous static magnetic field to excite nuclear spins in said substance;

a gradient system which generates at least one gradient magnetic field in said substance while said nuclear spins are excited;

said gradient system also generating motion probing gradient pulses in said substance while said spins are excited;

an electrical current applicator adapted to apply an electrical current to said substance while said spins are excited therein to increase the apparent diffusion coefficient of said substance;

said radio-frequency system obtaining magnetic resonance signals from said substance produced by said nuclear spins; and

a computer system supplied with said nuclear magnetic resonance signals which generates a diffusion-weighted image of said substance therefrom.