Apparatus and methods for magnetic resonance (MR) angiography using fluids polarized at low temperatures
US5626137A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 6, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/055
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A magnetic resonance (MR) active invasive device system employs a small, high-field polarizing magnet, and a large, possibly low-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging magnet for the purpose of generating MR angiograms of selected blood vessels. A subject is positioned in a large MR imaging magnet. A catheter is inserted into the patient at or near the root of a vessel tree to be imaged. A fluid, intended to be used as a contrast agent is first cooled and frozen, and then passed through the small high-field polarizing magnet where it becomes highly polarized. The frozen fluid is then heated and melted to physiologic temperatures and introduced into the subject through the catheter. Radiofrequency (RF) pulses and magnetic field gradients are then applied to the patient as in conventional MR imaging. Since the fluid has a larger longitudinal magnetization than tissue which has not passed through the polarizing magnet, the fluid produces a much larger MR response signal than other tissue, resulting in vessel tree images with excellent contrast.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.