Method and apparatus for efficient MRI tissue differentiation
US6265875A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/4838
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and more particularly to a method and apparatus for efficient MRI tissue differentiation using an RF pulse designed to provide a frequency response combining a magnetization transfer contrast and fat saturation simultaneously. The invention includes creating a spectrally selective suppression pulse having an RF pulse profile designed to produce a frequency response with adequate fat suppression and selecting a spectrally selective suppression amplitude to produce a magnetization transfer contrast between two different tissue types, such as between proteinated tissue and water-based tissue. The invention also includes applying the spectrally selective suppression pulse with a flip angle selected to optimize fat suppression and magnetization transfer contrast saturation simultaneously. The invention is particularly useful in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) as a non-invasive alternative to x-ray angiography to image coronary arteries. The invention is capable of efficiently suppressing fat and myocardium and provide an MR image with enhanced visibility of cardiac vessels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.