Method and apparatus for optimal imaging of the peripheral vasculature
US6425864B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/281
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for optimally imaging the peripheral vasculature is disclosed which includes defining a given number of scan stations along a patient's peripheral vasculature and initially injecting a relatively small amount of contrast agent into the patient to pass a test bolus through the patient's peripheral vasculature, and thereafter tracking the test bolus through the patient and adjusting the patient on a moveable table within the MR imaging device from one scan station to a next station to determine a maximum travel time that the test bolus takes to travel through each of the given number of scan stations. Additional contrast agent is then injected into the patient to pass an exam bolus through the patient's peripheral vasculature, and using the test bolus travel time, MR data can be acquired from each scan station while it is known that the exam bolus is present in that station to optimize image resolution. Initially, central k-space data is acquired for each scan station, and if time permits, the higher spatial frequency k-space data can be acquired. Otherwise, once the central k-space data is acquired for each station, the patient table is adjusted to the scan stati…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.