Method for joint arterial input function and tracer kinetic parameter estimation in accelerated DCE-MRI using a model consistency constraint

US11982726B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Southern California · US

Inventors

• Krishna S. Nayak · Los Angeles, US
• Yannick Bliesener · Los Angeles, US
• Yi Guo · Los Angeles, US
• Yinghua Zhu · Montgomery, US
• Sajan Goud Lingala · Hickory Corner, US
• Robert Marc Lebel · Calgary, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 15, 2019
• Grant date: May 14, 2024
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/10088
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Tracer kinetic models are utilized as temporal constraints for highly under-sampled reconstruction of DCE-MRI data. In one embodiment, a method for improving dynamic contrast enhanced imaging. The method includes steps of administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to a subject and then collecting magnetic resonance contrast agent from the subject. A tracer kinetic model (i.e. eTofts or Patlak) is selected to be applied to the magnetic resonance imaging data. The tracer kinetic model is applied to the magnetic resonance imaging data. Tracer kinetic maps and dynamic images are simultaneously reconstructed and a consistency constraint is applied. The proposed method allows for easy use of different tracer kinetic models in the formulation and estimation of patient-specific arterial input functions jointly with tracer kinetic maps.