Method for imaging an artery using a magnetic resonance contrast agent
First Claim
1. A method of imaging a portion of the aorta of a patient using a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising:
- determining an arrival time of a test bolus in a region of interest;
correlating an administration of a magnetic resonance contrast agent with an acquisition of magnetic resonance image data, including image data which is representative of the center of k-space, using the arrival time of the test bolus;
administering the magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and
acquiring the magnetic resonance image data using a 3D pulse sequence, wherein the image data which is representative of the center of k-space is acquired while the concentration of the contrast agent in the portion of the aorta is greater than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the portion of the aorta.
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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.
93 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of imaging a portion of the aorta of a patient using a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising:
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determining an arrival time of a test bolus in a region of interest; correlating an administration of a magnetic resonance contrast agent with an acquisition of magnetic resonance image data, including image data which is representative of the center of k-space, using the arrival time of the test bolus; administering the magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and acquiring the magnetic resonance image data using a 3D pulse sequence, wherein the image data which is representative of the center of k-space is acquired while the concentration of the contrast agent in the portion of the aorta is greater than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the portion of the aorta. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of imaging an artery of a patient using a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising:
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determining an arrival time of a magnetic resonance contrast agent in a region of interest wherein the region of interest includes the artery; correlating an injection of the magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient with a collection of magnetic resonance image data using the arrival time of the magnetic resonance contrast agent in the region of interest; injecting the magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; and collecting the magnetic resonance image data using a 3D pulse sequence, wherein collecting magnetic resonance image data includes collecting a substantial portion of the image data while the concentration of the contrast agent in the artery is greater than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the artery. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of imaging an artery of a patient using a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising:
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calculating an arrival time of the contrast agent in the region of interest; injecting a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient; correlating collection of magnetic resonance image data which is representative of the center of k-space with the injection of the magnetic resonance contrast agent using the arrival time of the contrast agent in the region of interest; collecting magnetic resonance image, including the image data which is representative of the center of k-space, using a 3D pulse sequence, wherein at least a portion of the image data is collected while the concentration of the contrast in the artery is greater than a concentration of the contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the artery. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification