Non-contrast MRI signal acquisition
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for acquiring a plurality of MR-images at respectively corresponding times related to a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle, said method comprising use of an MRI system having at least one programmed computer to:
- acquire a first plurality of MR signals from a patient'"'"'s tissue at respectively corresponding successive first time increments extending over a first time interval including a substantial majority of a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle;
analyze data representing magnitudes of the acquired first plurality of MR signals to define a second time interval, shorter than said first time interval, during the cardiac cycle whereat there is a relatively steep rise in signal magnitudes as a function of time corresponding with systole and diastole events of the cardiac cycle;
acquire a second plurality of MR signals from tissue of said patient at respectively corresponding successive second time increments during said second time interval, said second time increments being substantially shorter than said first time increments;
generate image data representing at least one contrast-free image of flowing fluid vessels based on said second plurality of MR signals respectively acquired at different times during said second time interval; and
output said generated image data to at least one of;
(a) a display, (b) a non-transitory data storage medium, and (c) a remote device.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A first plurality of MR signals from a patient'"'"'s tissue at respectively corresponding successive first time increments extending over a first time interval including a substantial majority of a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle is acquired and analyzed to define a second time interval, shorter than the first time interval, during the cardiac cycle whereat there is a relatively steep rise in signal magnitudes as a function of time (e.g., corresponding with systole and diastole events of the cardiac cycle). A second plurality of MR signals is then acquired from tissue of the patient at respectively corresponding successive second time increments during the second time interval, the second time increments being substantially shorter than said first time increments. Image data representing at least one contrast-free image of flowing fluid vessels is generated based on the second plurality of MR signals.
9 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for acquiring a plurality of MR-images at respectively corresponding times related to a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle, said method comprising use of an MRI system having at least one programmed computer to:
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acquire a first plurality of MR signals from a patient'"'"'s tissue at respectively corresponding successive first time increments extending over a first time interval including a substantial majority of a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle; analyze data representing magnitudes of the acquired first plurality of MR signals to define a second time interval, shorter than said first time interval, during the cardiac cycle whereat there is a relatively steep rise in signal magnitudes as a function of time corresponding with systole and diastole events of the cardiac cycle; acquire a second plurality of MR signals from tissue of said patient at respectively corresponding successive second time increments during said second time interval, said second time increments being substantially shorter than said first time increments; generate image data representing at least one contrast-free image of flowing fluid vessels based on said second plurality of MR signals respectively acquired at different times during said second time interval; and output said generated image data to at least one of;
(a) a display, (b) a non-transitory data storage medium, and (c) a remote device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for acquiring a plurality of MR-images at respectively corresponding times related to a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle, said apparatus comprising an MRI system having at least one programmed computer configured to include:
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means for acquiring a first plurality of MR signals from a patient'"'"'s tissue at respectively corresponding successive first time increments extending over a first time interval including a substantial majority of a subject'"'"'s cardiac cycle; means for analyzing data representing magnitudes of the acquired first plurality of MR signals to define a second time interval, shorter than said first time interval, during the cardiac cycle whereat there is a relatively steep rise in signal magnitudes as a function of time corresponding with systole and diastole events of the cardiac cycle; means for acquiring a second plurality of MR signals from tissue of said patient at respectively corresponding successive second time increments during said second time interval, said second time increments being substantially shorter than said first time increments; means for generating image data representing at least one contrast-free image of flowing fluid vessels based on said second plurality of MR signals respectively acquired at different times during said second time interval; and means for outputting said generated image data to at least one of;
(a) a display, (b) a non-transitory data storage medium, and (c) a remote device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification