Method for optimal imaging of the peripheral vasculature emphasizing distal arterial visualization in a multi-station examination

US6580937B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC · US
• Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Department of Defense, United States Government · US

Inventors

• Vincent B. Ho · North Bethesda, US
• Thomas Foo · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2003
• Expiry date: Apr 10, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/5619
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for creating peripheral MR angiographic images and performing an MRA examination using an intravascular contrast agent in which MR data acquisition is optimized in the most distal stations in a multi-station acquisition. The technique includes administering a contrast agent into the blood stream of the patient, acquiring low spatial resolution MR images of the arterial vasculature, and tracking the passage of the contrast agent through the patient. The patient table is moved in response to the tracking. The technique continues to acquire low spatial resolution images at each of the proximal stations until the most distal station is reached where a high spatial resolution image data set is then acquired of preferentially arterial vascular structures. Higher spatial resolution images are then acquired in the proximal stations.